If I'm going then I want security around my boat so no one will be getting my real secret super duper crappie catching technique. Well I'll make it easy for some of you that won't believe this anyway. I use number one Mustad circle hooks. Fish don't swallow them very often and when perch get in the mist they aren't getting away easy with just my minnow. Laugh all you want to but using gold number 2 and 4 hooks gets you more gut hook ups that my circle hooks. Don't believe me give it a try! Also, I use a split shot that is round and not with ears on it. Round prevent your line from twisting up when reeled in when fished in deeper water. Another thing I do sometimes is I'll mark my line at 15 foot with a marker to have a preset depth to start off with and then adjust when needed to a higher or lower. Sounds dumb but it helps !