Fishing at night is fairly simple. Some people hang lanterns while others purchase a underwater green light and fish under those. I purchased my green light from BassPro for right at $30 I believe. I typically try to position myself over some structure that is sitting right on the edge of deep water and shallow water. The lights will eventually bring in the bugs, which brings in the minnows, which brings in the crappie. Tie off to standing timber and throw an anchor out the other end. We usually pack up food and drinks like on a normal day and just hang out. The crappie typically don't hammer these minnows uder the lights. I use a KY Crappie Rig with two sets of hooks at different levels tipped with minnows. The crappie will alomst always just creak up and suck them into their mouth. I literally watch for my line to just start moving sideways a little and I set the hook. Very rairly do you have one just smash it. If you do get a big hit, it is probably a hybrid or striper. it is a fun night under the stars and it is a peaceful as you can get. No boats, and no one to bug you. I would have a cell phone, marine radio or some sort of emergency communications because there is very few people on the water and if you need help you need to be able to contact someone. I keep my marine radio and cell on me. Houseboaters almost always keep their marine radios on if your cell phone won't work. There is nothing worse then not being able to fire up your boat at 3:00am when you are miles from the marina. I would also make sure you have GPS because pre-GPS, I got stuck in a fog bank that got me lost for hours and had my family in a panic. I literally couldn't see the front of my boat it was so thick. Good luck.