In the creeks the temperature is different because of the slow flowing water, like in a river. Creeks are warmer than the lake which is why it draws the shad in. Find the shad, find the crappie (and bass, and gar, and cats........).

With regard to the light it could be worth a try, but remember that plankton are going to be slower moving, so are shad and crappie. If you want to know for sure if it works drop it in an area you know has shad and crappie, and drop it about an hour and a half BEFORE sunset and drop it about 4-5 foot off the bottom. If it's an hour after last light and no bait then do something else.

One last thing, I know cold water oceanic plankton come close to the surface on nights the moon is full/almost full and out bright. Don't know if lakes are the same but most likely they are. Might try the bottom technique with low moonlight and higher up on high moonlight.

Then again, you can always find deep timber where the crappie are packed solid as a rock slide and catch them in the day...

Eric.

I see guys dip minnows shallow with lights out shining from the bank and pull in pretty good stringers, but maybe you need to wait a month for rising outdoor temps to really pull the fish shallow? After reading this post I tried it tonight from the bank with jigs, one green light underwater, and a few bright flashlights. I caught a few sandbass and gave up after an hour which is pretty much a summary of the experience I have every time I try to fish under lights at Lake Lewisville lol. I was fishing off of a ledge by a "hole" and I didn't catch any fish tonight shallower than 12'.

Lake wouldn't have shallow crappie near the bank, creek yes, but location is vital.

Eric