Not from Ga, but I know here in fall when the fish are scattered in open water, fishing a minnow under a cork will get marginal results vs longlining. But now come spring through summer fishing a jig around structure or weeds or a minnow under a cork in same scenario will give better results than longlining. Not much help to you other than if you see someone catching fish and your not, adapt and catch fish. No shame in longlining or spiderrigging. After you have done it a while you will learn there is more to it than simply tossing a bait out and turning on the trolling motor. Still have to read water and locate fish and feeding fish, dial in on jig weights and colors like any other fishing method. Just covering a bunch of water. But to answer your question, no you do not have to do it. But your son would probably be a bit happier catching fish than looking at a minnow dragging his bobber around endlessly.