It's also been said that using a "mason" jar will distort the view of the minnows, and a clear/smooth glass jar should be used (and a larger one than the mason jar).

Does it work .... ??? Don't know, never tried it. But, unless the Crappie are somewhere close to the 5ft depth to start with, you're not going to draw them close to the jar. And if they are already that shallow, you should be catching them on the minnows on your hook, anyway !!! IMHO

... pappy