When I was doing a lot of night fishing I would put a light just under the surface. Turn off your depth finder unless you want bugs. Lights above water for seeing bites were off the side with shields to keep light out of the boat. Rods were 8' to 12' long set a various depths until the fish told you what they wanted. Rigs were no more than a hook and just enough weight to keep them minnow from tangles with other lines.