Early season tactic? Don't use leadcore for one thing. I like flatlining smaller gangtrolls with your favorite flutter spoon 2-3 feet back. On a lake im unfamiliar with I will just troll the shoreline until I find what I'm looking for, which is usually boulder flats in 15-30 fow. Last summer we never saw surface temps over 70 so nothing heavier than a 3 oz bottom bouncer was necessary, but that can get me down 40+ feet slow trolling with braid. Lot more fun catching 2 pound Lakers on a light casting outfit and a small weight than a telephone pole with 10 tons of cable on it lol