Thanks Harold, you have steered me right before! I will....reluctantly...downsize the weights on the next go around. I guess my thought process was leaning towards keeping the lines vertical while still be able to hit the gas pedal a bit because I honestly have no clue where to target them using this method so I basically tried to use my longlining tactics modified here to go after the contour lines - plus I was using roadrunners so had to keep them spinning. I get so jealous reading the electronics forums and other states where there are these beautiful pictures of brush piles and sunken trees in 30+ foot of water that you can just hover over.
While I have noticed a semblance of "schooling" by the black crappie down here, it is usually during the summer off of a deep point at the thermocline. Even then, I may only get a couple hookups and the spot becomes dry.
As for the net, we got a nice extendable one, 8' I think. If anyone saw my daughter and I on the first couple attempts it was probably quite comical...we were all over the place trying to land em! Good point on the hook location. I noticed more hookups on the roof of the jaw than otherwise.
I think my plan next time is to drop the roadrunners/curly tails and go with basic jig heads and slow the presentation down a little. Gonna use more bobby garlands and some zip jigs.
My 2nd attempt will probably be this Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning with my nephew. Not sure what lake yet, maybe Johns Lake, Teneroc, or Kissimmee...
What water temperature you think I could start finding them in the shallows, less than 5 feet? In that instance, I would essentially have the sinker just below the surface and only the leader depth would be used. Sounds challenging, but fun to stalk em shallow!