If u are fishing from a boat and have electronics and a map chart of the two lakes mentioned. Fish in 35-40 fow around creek beds close to deep water, over tree tops in same depth, mid-lake humps in no less than 30 fow using either mo's or rsr jig heads. For sandies a tandem rig is ideal a half ounce tied above a 3/4 ounce jig head both affixed with a 4-5 inch white ice fluke. No paddle tail. I prefer to dip in chartreuse garlic scent. Finding bait is critical. No bait , no fish as the fish are cold and lethargic. Balls of bait are the best as that will normally indicate feeding fish, breaking up bait into balls. Drop jig head just over the top of the balls of bait, moving ur set-up very little if at all. A slight tap will indicate a strike, wrist snap and hopefully fish on. You will miss a lot, we all do. Sometimes your line will go slack as in a "crappie" push up. Set the hook, wrist snap right or left .Wind socks and placement knowledge coupled with trolling motor skills will allow you to fish bank or river bed contours with success. Practice, practice and practice some more. I along with a number of "dead stick" junkies live for the tap. Now , some one that knows what they are talking about will chime in and underscore above stated info and give you some more , on the water, skills. Good Luck and don't give up.