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Travis ... my says for questions #1 & #2 that a combo colored bait can be used in most cases. And the "combo" is usually more effective when the colors contrast with each other, like a dark/light colored body. Combo's like black/chartreuse, blue/chartreuse, green/chartreuse, black/pink, red/white ... you get the picture !!
On question #3 .... depth is relative to the lake, water temperature, season, and prevailing conditions. Good electronics will shorten your search time. But you don't necessarily "need" high end electronics, if you learn how to use & interpret whatever unit you may have.
You might also want to pose these same questions over on the South Carolina state forum. They may be able to give you more defined answers about the lakes you intend to fish.
... cp
(and just so you don't get any good natured flak ... "strippers" dance around poles - "stripers" are caught with poles )