We used shad i got from a friend of mine down at the dock. Shiners will work also but not as well. I typically just hang rods over the side of the boat and use a carolina rig with 1oz to 2oz weights(2-3ft leader). I count down and try to keep my baits wherever i see fish on my graff. I troll extremely slow!!! I was lucky enough to pull right up on top of them. Some days, like others, i can't find them. Good luck!!