i have never used either but just got both. any tips? also how many casts would you give a lure in a given spot before you either switch lures or locations?

Use brighter/ flashy colors when sunny and darker more natural colors when cloudy.  Usually all i do with a crankbait in the warmer months is cast as far as I can and burn it in.  And if colder I reel it in slower abou 2 feet off the bottom.  See more at my blog.  http://patsbassfishing.blogspot.com/  good luck!