I have used a Carolina Rig rigged vertically for many years to spider rig for crappie and I do vary the weight between 1/2 and 3/4 depending on how fast I am moving or how strong the wind is blowing.
In fact I just got through rigging eight rods and making about twenty leaders today. Whether you choose minnows or jigs... a Carolina Rig fished vertically is my recommendation for spider rigging.