Here's my two cents worth. First of all don't try to compete with the moon. Darker nights usually work better. Secondly, technically the lights don't draw the crappie, they draw the bait fish and the crappie come after the bait fish. If you are fishing in a lake that has shad they will follow the light. How long should you leave the lights? That depends on the bait fish. You will see them in the water. On a good night they will swarm the boat. I fish below the bait swarm usually about 7'-10'. Why? because that is were I most consistently catch the larger crappie. You may also want to put out a catfish rod with some shad on it. The bait draws all kinds of fish. Where you live you may even catch some walleye. Last thing. When I am night fishing I always use minnows instead of jigs because of all the bait in the water. Good Luck my fishing friend!:cheers2
