I use 150 watt halogens mounted on homemade swing out poles,yes to me halogens are way better.There is no need for any other type fishing lights when useing halogens.Hooking minnows....I hook them thru the lips but if the fish are deep I hook them thry the tail ,it makes them want to swim down.I dont hook thru the back at all.Night fishing I dont use jigs period,but day time fishing I hardly ever use minnows and use jigs 95% of the time but thats just me.If you can find hydrilla fish the edge of it,specks love hydrilla,as far as bottom goes for night fishing it dont much matter to me,I do have my favorite spots for instance on Kissimmee I fish the river bed in the lake or the river itself and in the river I fish the river bed when I do.Keep at it, right now its still, too soon for them turing on real good.Last year if I remember right it was in March when they went gang busters.One thing tho for me anyways, I never do good night fishing on a full moon and the dark side has always been best for me,thats is if your fishing the moon to begin with