The easy way!!! This spring find an open space of water with a clean bottom with 50 ft a long stretch easy to find on Lake Erie. Choose you speed choose a day with little wind . Monitor line out slowly until you begin hitting the bottom save the results . speed and line diameter as well as type of lure. Change speed slower and faster write down results.. This will give you a place to start. That will end the what iffs.
Years ago a guy told me how to do this. The fish arn't always at 50ft . Remember you need to keep the lure 3-5 ft above the fish.
Good luck