How long do y’all spend on a brush pile if you can see plenty crappie on livescope but they aren’t biting? I get bogged down trying to make them bite instead of moving to another pile. Most of the time it doesn’t matter how long I mess with them they still won’t bite.

Different people use different techniques. I don't like to waste time trying to convince finicky crappie to bite so I never change lures and don't spend time trying to work the pile. I pick off the aggressive fish from each location and once I drop down and don't get bit within a couple minutes I move on. I've caught over 1000 crappie this year using that philosophy but others focus more on finding a jig that works that day and are also successful.

You’re facing one of the most difficult dilemmas that comes with being new to crappie fishing, and what you’re seeing is perfectly normal. My general rule of thumb when I have customers on the boat is 2 minutes without a bite. That’s not easy to do when you can see a limit of fish swimming under your boat, but that’s just the way it is some days. Move on to dumber, more active fish.

Don’t write off that loaded pile though. On many occasions, I will circle back to that same spot I got frustrated with earlier in the day, only to find those same fish acting much more cooperative and fishing guide friendly.

I tell myself I’m going to move in 5 minutes if I don’t get a bite but end up staying 30 minutes sometimes. Maybe I need to book a trip with a guide and get some pointers.

Hulapoppin, if I can help with that, I'll be happy to do so.

With livescope, 2-3 drops if the fish do not move. If they move and bite, I stay till they stop biting.

I mainly fish timber, before livescope I had the theory that I had to hit 50 trees to catch 50 crappie, because numerous trees wouldn't have any fish on them, now I am a little more selective and got it down to maybe fishing 20 trees in 5 hours to catch 50. I have seen em not bite for the first minute or two, then catch 10, especially on the trees that you have caught lots of fish off of in the past. They will spook when you approach the tree, I have also went to 12' and 14' long rods to keep away from them and I have noticed that helps, I try and approach the tree so that the boat shadow doesn't spook them as well. But I have seen days when they will literally move under the shade of the boat.