New Fishing Rig?

[Strykerfive]

Just came back from vacation in Fl, and seen the oddest fishing rig yet. Those fellows down there were using a plastic bubble half filled with water and 18 inches of line leading from that with a 2 inch piece of a McDonalds straw attched just above a treble hook. The greatest thing about it was they were catching the **** out of the spanish and much more with it. Of course I played "monkey see, monkey. . ." and was sucessful and bringing a couple in. Is this something new or have I been fishing the freshwater too long?