Many years before the Trout Magnets came along, I really got into fishing for crappie and panfish with finesse tackle and microjigs. I would use a long, ultra light spinning rod, line no heavier than 4 lb test, and 1/32 or 1/64 oz jigs with curly tail grubs in the smallest sizes I could find. I'd fish with a float or casting bubble for depth control and extra casting weight for the super-light jigs.
The secret was to figure out the depth where the fish were holding, let the jig flutter down to that depth, and then twitch it back as slowly as possible. A lot of times the fish (bluegill especially) would hit the jig on the very first fall. It was effective on white bass, yellow bass, crappie, and occasional largemouth too.
I think most of the forage that panfish eat is smaller than a lot of fishermen realize. And they eat a lot of insect larvae and tiny baby baitfish, which are not fast swimmers. I think you miss some fish if your lure is too big or too fast.
Nowadays, I mostly fly fish, but when I fish for panfish, I frequently use the same techniques with flies that may be even lighter than the jigs I used to use. It is very effective.
The Trout Magnet method is very effective, but I don't think there is anything magic about the lure itself at all. In my opinion, the secret is fishing the right depth with light line; a very small, light jig; and a slow retrieve.
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