Yes, I guess every lake is a bit different. Here on Lake Lewisville in Texas, I don't think anyone is catching on traditional spider rig techniques right now. There are a ton of bait fish (especially with no shad die off last winter) so most crappie are lazy and tight to cover in ~85 degree + thermalcline. However that doesn't keep me from spider rigging anyway for sandbass and largemouth between spots and sometimes I'll still get a crappie this way.

Well, this is some funny redneck engineering for sure, but I epoxied / glassed 1/2 of a graphite rod onto a piece of plywood I've cut into a paddle shape. The total weight is just ~1/2 a pound. I think I'll paint the paddle fluorescent green and then this will double as a safety "flag". I've been trying to find an emergency paddle that was light enough not be annoying to carry and also that would fit in the rod rack. However, I think this one will get some use too crappie fishing too.