#1 factor IMHO is the thermocline depth ... if one sets up in the body of water you're fishing. That will determine the maximum depth you need to consider.
Many of the fish, esp. White Crappie, are likely to be roaming open water (flats, channel edges, etc.) following the roaming schools of Shad, which is why many people opt to Push/Pull cranks or jigs. Even so, there are almost always fish around submerged brush/trees that are above or top out above the thermocline.
Early mornings on shaded banks with brushpiles or downed trees is where I normally start my day during Summer. Once the Sun is high and there are no shaded banks, I would normally start Pushing out in open water on the flats.