Something new that I tried that has been extremely effective is a small topwater micro frog! The micro frog is from Creek Life Lure Company and is 1.7" long. See picture. I rig this with some small size 6 EWG hooks I got off Ebay. Total weight of hook and frog is about 1.2 grams. Topwater for panfish and crappie is a blast!

A couple of weeks ago I was tossing big 3-4" floating toads/frogs at weed lines for bass. I had big bluegill and crappie hitting these things. They would bite one leg and ride it all the way back to boat and let go. Some of those crappie were huge! Next I scaled it down and threw a smaller Z-Man Finesse Frog and it was still to big with it's 2/0 hook. I had some of the micro frogs I bought from Creek Life last year and dug them up. Next I dug up the small EWG hooks I had from Ebay. Put them on the scale and said heck ya!

I am using the Trout Magnet Trinity 501 rod, a Daiwa Legalis JDM reel and Daiwa J Braid X8 Grand in 6lb test. I can actually cast this farther than a Trout Magnet. I crank it in with a steady retrieve and they chase it down and smash it. To improve the hook up ratio, I do not skin hook this, I just keep the hook laying flat on the top of the frog. If the fish are picky, I will pause the frog when cranking back. Usually do not need to do this. You will miss a few, but it is worth it, because you land some big ones!

This is the most fun panfishing I have ever had! Smallmouth will smash these also.

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