How to follow the shad?

I read quite frequently of following the shad to catch crappie in the winter time, would some of you please share your tactics for doing this? The last several winters I have not been able to do any good with my winter fishing. I live in Mobile and mostly fish the delta creeks and lakes but occasionally fish Big Creek Lake which is a manmade clear water lake with deep water and is the city water supply. I fished three rivers lake recently which is a river lake and any water over 25-27 feet deep would just light up the FF but I was only able to catch a few fish scattered over the lake with no pattern. I need help!!!!!!

I grew up fishing Big Creek Lake.

Dats why its called fishing..... Used to catch some shad with a throw net, take the biggest ones 2-3 and tie a bobber to them with 20 or so feet of 2# mono and turn them back into the water. follow the floats to keep track of the shad. Usually works for an hour or so then you need to freshen your scouts. Takes patience but retrieve your floats and line.

Why would you follow the shad? The shad in my area are really pretty big for crappie to feed on - aren't they??? - probably 3"
Should I be using the smaller ones that I catch like minnows????

A 10" crappie can down a pretty big shad. I wouldn't think they would have any troubles with 3" shad

I have caught many slabs on 3 inch shad