Originally Posted by
CrappiePappy
Around here, suspended Crappie out in open water are generally on flats, in the Summer, following Shad schools .... and are generally caught Pushing jigs or cranks, or Spider Rigging. Since this involves the boat moving forward at all times, sweep scanning ahead will help locate the submerged Shad schools (& underwater hang-up hazards). This can also help in those cases where you're in unfamiliar waters or areas & don't have those brushpiles & trees & such already located & marked on your depthfinder map.
That would also likely work the same way when Longline Trolling (which is done from pre-spawn to Fall around these parts).
Having it on a dedicated pole can work in your favor, or it can be a little cumbersome .... but, then so is having it on the trolling motor shaft. But, either way it's far and above any current "finder" for being able to view the waters ahead of you at great distances !!