Best advise I can give you is to ask questions, then ask more questions and finally keep on asking questions…….
Crappie fishing has been difficult for most of us lately with hopes that the cooler weather will help the bite. Lots of guys on this board willing to answer your gear & technique questions, all you have to do is ask.
Originally from the midwest myself so I understand your fishing culture shock. Long lining 1/16 to 1/8 oz Roadrunners or jigs with Kalin grubs in black blue chartreuse (BBC) or john deer (JD) trolled at .8 or so mph seems to be the mainstay for most of us. You'll have to experiment with other colors. Other than locating fish, depth control is your most important factor. Spider Rigging (Google is your friend) has become more popular here which is slow trolling around .3 or so mph fishing vertical with double minnow rigs or even jigs. Lots of ways to fish with no right or wrong and one technique works better than another.
Biggest thing - don't give up - it will be frustrating - but keep on fishing as time on the water is your most important learning tool.