depends on which lake youre fishing. the lake i fish i can still catch some good fish shallow 4-8 ft about now. pea gravel with with wood is what i look for. shellcracker also like contour structures like old creek bends, ditches, etc. i fan cast a feather light popeye jig tipped with a gulp lil minnow(chartreuse) or gulp pink waxies. jig weight depends but usually 1/32 or 1/64.
if i dont catch many keeper fish then i head deep, 15 ft is the starting point. i scan the secondary structure toward the main lake ledges. i look for the creek ledges with any wood around and dips in the contour.
i also like mid lake humps that fall into deeper water. if there is grass on it the better. here ill drop shot or mini carolina rig with red worms if they aint taking the jig.
no joke, ive pulled nice gills and shellcracker out of 30 ft of water off the main lake ledges.
but be forewarned if you go deep, use a 7ft light or med light fast action rod and a reel with a good drag. a gasper goo will absolutely trash an ultra light rig and light line and theyre usually right there with them.