HEY,CAT. welcome to the site. this is my two cents worth to your questions
BAIT: best to learn with minnows. good hook, split shot, and float. probably a #1 or #1/0 would do the job. this time of the year find logs or brush in 5 to 6 feet of water and let the sucker swim around the structure.this should get some action.
an option would be to use a jig, 1/16th oz. , 10 or 12 ft crappie pole, jig tipped with minnow or crappie nibble. fish the jig around submerged structure(logs or brush) with and with-out float.
fish early and late.
TROPHY CRAPPIE AROUND HERE WOULD BE 3LB. AT LEAST
hope this helps.
lots of folks on the N.C. board that can be helpful.
KEEP YOUR POWDER DRY