Speaking of crankbaits, there is an art to using deep diving crankbaits in shallow water.  It's best if you have a fairly sensitive rod and a super line with almost no stretch so you can feel what's going on. 
    Most people won't use a crankbait in water shallower than it was designed to dive out of fear of hanging it up on the bottom.  This is a shame.  They're missing out. 
    With a little practice you can use a lure that is designed to dive fifteen or twenty feet in three feet of water.  Why would you want to do such a thing?  Two reasons.  First, doing so allows you to draw a mental contour map of the bottom.  Second, bumping and dinging the bottom and objects like roots and stones on the bottom with your lure drives fish mad.  They won't be able to resist  it. 
     If you cast your deep diving crank into shallow water and start reeling like mad you will surely snag the bottom and probably lose your expensive lure.  You have to be slow and gentle.  Reel slowly.  Take it down to three feet.  Then four.  Then five, etc., etc.  Eventually you'll lightly tap the bottom or something on the bottom.  As soon as you make contact stop reeling.  Let the lure rise up a foot then begin slowly reeling in again.  Repeat the process.  A deep diving crankbait has a big diving bill on the front to make it go deep.  This same bill will protect it from getting snagged as you make contact with the bottom or objects on the bottom.  As you practice this technique something good will happen.  A big fish will slam your lure. 
     If you take your time you'll quickly master this technique with minimal lure loss.  I can fish the same deep diver in very shallow water all day without losing it.  This technique is extremely effective for getting semi-dormant fish very interested in your offering.  It is well worth the time it takes to master. 

    Don't be a know it all.  I have been fishing for sixty two years and have picked up a few things but I certainly don't know everything.  No one can know everything about fishing.  If you find yourself fishing near someone don't assume that you're better because his gear is cheap and clunky or he's bobber fishing and you no longer use bait.  Every fisherman you come across knows something about fishing that you don't.  That's the nature of the sport.  When you consider yourself an expert and stop listening you are ignoring a valuable resource.

Stealth Mode:
    Can fish see what's going on above them out of the water?  You bet your butt they can.  Way back when I used to keep freshwater game fish for the table I would often find terrestrial animals such as birds or rodents in the stomachs of Pickerel or Bass.  Obviously they can see what's going on above them.  Consequently you want to avoid fishing with the sun at your back whenever possible so you're not casting a shadow over the water.  When you approach a fishing spot stay low.  Sneak up on it. Move slowly.  It can make a huge difference.  Also don't wear bright colored clothing.  Not only will this give you away to the fish but it will attract insect pests like Deer Flies and Yellow Jackets. 
     Often when fishing in one of the beautiful rivers in the Pines I can hear other canoes or kayaks approaching from miles away.  People hitting the sides of aluminum canoes while paddling is probably the worst offense.  Water transmits sound four times better than air so if I can hear you coming from two miles away I imagine you're not sneaking up on any fish.  Usually they'll have a radio blaring Rock music and they'll be hollering from boat to boat or talking loudly to one another in their canoe.  Fish don't get to be trophy sized by being stupid.   "Gary, you sure catch a lot of really big Pickerel.  You are really lucky."  Maybe.  And sometimes you make your own luck.  Be silent.  It makes all of the difference in the world.  There's another perk to fishing in silence besides catching fish.  Other wildlife won't hear you coming.  You can sneak right up on some spectacular sightings. 

   Roe sacks:  many people, particularly in America, throw them away with the rest of the guts.  For God's sake, you're wasting the best part of the fish.  The roe of any fish is delicious.  Remove the sack whole and fry it in a little butter.  The sack will break open as it fries.  That's OK.  Try it once and you'll never throw roe away again.

   This is the Heddon Moss Boss that I mentioned in the beginning of the thread.  It's been around for a while.  This is probably the most weedless hard lure you can find.  If you're just learning to fish the junk this lure is a good choice.  It is very forgiving. Cast it far into the worst slop.  Keep your rod tip up high and SLOWLY work it in stopping frequently.  If you come to an open pool swim it slowly through it.  Take your time.  Sooner or later a lunker bass or pickerel will smash up through the mat and take your Moss Boss in one of the most exciting strikes you'll ever see. 

    I have spent a lot of time catfishing.  I do mean a lot of time.  Through trial and error I've learned that the best hook to use is a Khale.  I don't know why they're so effective but you'll get a lot more hookups using a Khale for catfish than any other hook.  Catfish have big mouths so I'd use nothing smaller than a 4/0 hook.

Crabbing:  it's not really fishing but its close enough. 
    My parents started us crabbing when we were literally still in diapers.  Crabbing is something I can do very well.  My record is 296 keepers in one day. 
     Crabbing isn't as complex as fishing can be.  For tackle all you really need is a weight, hand line, crab net, and a piece of bait.  You can use traps too.  There are pyramid traps and box traps.  The pyramid traps work a  little better but both are effective.  You can also use a commercial crab pot but that requires a license. 
    Crabs are basically scavengers and will  eat anything.  And it doesn't have to be fresh.  My favorite bait is Moss Bunker, a very smelly, oily fish.  You can use any fish but the more oily the better.  A lot of people use chicken, which also works fine.   You can use any meat.  I've also used squid with success. And if your bait has gone bad, no problem.  The stinkier the better. 
    If you're using a hand line just let it out until your bait and weight sit on the bottom.  Every so often gently lift the line to see if there's anything on it.  You'll feel a little more resistance.  If you feel extra weight on your line SLOWLY pull it up.  When you get it near the surface you'll be able to see if a crab is hanging on.  If there is one scoop him up with your crab net. 
     Traps are even easier.  Bait the trap, let it down to the bottom, and wait.  Pull it up ever so often to check it.
      I usually use an equal number of traps and hand lines together.  You can run a lot of traps and lines from one small boat... eight or ten if you wish. 
      You don't necessarily need a boat to crab.  You can do it just fine from the shore or a bridge.  Many of the bridges near the seashore have walkways specifically for people to crab from.
     The most common mistake people make is moving around all day.  Choose a good spot; one where the water isn't too deep or shallow, like six to ten feet.  You want to be out of the main current but not far from it.  Once you pick your spot stay there.  Many people, especially novice crabbers, get bored after an hour or two of catching nothing and move to a new spot.  Crabs find your bait by the scent trail it leaves.  If you've been sitting in one spot for an hour you've been laying out a scent trail all of that time.  Just wait. If there are crabs in the area they will find you.  If you move then you'll have to start your scent trail all over again.  Patience is what differentiates a successful crabber from a failure.  Sometimes you have to wait hours for the tide to turn before you start catching.  So wait.  Moving accomplishes nothing and prevents the crabs from eventually finding you.
     In New Jersey we have Blue Claw Crabs.  They're not as big as some species but nothing tastes better. 
     Make sure you know your local regulations. 
     That's about it.  I could fill many volumes on fishing but crabbing is a simple affair.  Use stinky bait, pick a good spot, stay there.     If you've never done it before, if you ever get the opportunity I highly recommend it.  It's a great day out.

Edit:    There is one more thing I'd like to add.  Though you can catch crabs from early Summer into November, the very best days to crab are the murderously hot, humid ones.  Pick a day at the end of a long hot spell; one where the temperature will go up to 100F or 38C.  You'll want to get a super early start because by mid afternoon you won't want to be on the water anymore.  I've been known to get up at 2:30 AM to be on the water at first light.  My all time best of 296 keepers was on one very hot, muggy August day.  This is good info.