Quote Originally Posted by RiverSlabber View Post
As long as its balanced right you can use a beachball as a float. The slightest tap from the fish should take it down.
Event a foam float that has a lead ring at the lower end where the line and bait are attached, are brought down easily by an aggressive fish no matter it's size. Of course crappie that take it down are usually over 6", along with perch, sunfish and other panfish. Some days soft plastics attached to jigheads work fine (depending on bait design); at other times live bait is needed.

I only use the design pictured: