Tommy, scout out some areas on your lake looking at the sonar for steep banks or creek channel drop offs running near the banks. Look for schools of baitfish. Fishing is the same as hunting.....gotta have food or they aint there. Find different places for a suspectable decent spot to set up for a nightstalk. People fish different ways but I use rod holders to hold my rods and fish tightlines. I usually set up in @30' of water and usually catch fish anywhere from 12' to 17' down, depending on the water temps/time of year. I stay away from bright moonlit nights. Better to take the wife out somewhere on those nights.;) I use Brinkman submersible lights but the floaters you use should do the job too. Main goal of the lights are to draw baitfish, which draws crappie. My rods stay in the holders with the tips painted white so I can see the bite. Sometimes the rod tip will only slightly bounce or barely show a slight pull and if they werent in the rod holders I probably wouldnt see the bite. I use clamp on type trouble lights with 12 v. bulbs inside the boat so everything in my boat is lit so I can see. I also use the light already mentioned on the bill of my cap for seeing to retie hooks, etc. Big weather changes will affect how the fish bite. It can completely shut 'em down. I like Jan./Feb. nightstalking the best. Cold water doesnt get affected as much and as a general rule larger fish are the standard. In my area this holds true up until the spawn is over then all the 'lil fellas seems to come out to play. Lots of hook swallowers after the spawn.
