generally before they spawn they hold in deeper water just away from the shallow spots they spawn in. that is where to concentrate. the smaller males move in first to claim their spot; the big females come in last to choose their mate(s) and then they move off again with the males staying behind to guard the nest. so prespawn i would look for deeper water (4-5 feet) near the shallows that you know they use for nesting.
i fish out of a kayak most times so i dont have a locater. i just fish until i start catching them. i dont spend time too long in one spot because with panfish, either they are going to bite or not; and if they are they usually dont take long to do it. so once i catch a fish i will cross that spot a few times and if i get more fish i keep fishing there. if only one fish, i dont waste too much time there. hope this helps.
