Xmas Tree Brush Piles

[Mr_Scrogg]

Im getting ready for my first after Christmas, tree project.

I know 00mod drops many every year. Lets hear some tips for sinking, postioning, and locations.

Thanks!

[Bankbeater]

I see a lot of Xmas trees with cinder blocks tied to them. 

[Jig Man]

Here in MO the Conservation Dept in cooperation with the Corps of Engineers uses 55 gallon drums with concrete to hold the trees.

[Hanover_Yakker]

An easy method I have seen is using 5-gallon buckets with quickcrete to install the trees in.  Some are placed standing others are placed laying down by adding some form of equal weight on both ends like a concrete block or a brick.

[00 mod]

All of the above.  I have done cinder blocks, 5 gall buckets with quickcrete, as well as stakes driven into the ground and tied tightly. 

 

Jeff

[JoeP]

Cinder blocks. Quick and easy. That's what we used to do.

[Mr_Scrogg]

Specific locations? Points, steep drops, flats, coves?

[BigBassBarry]

I had someone (who wins a lot of tournaments) tell me to put them in a flat area between 10-12' of water that does not have any structure around it and fish will have no other place but to gravitate to.   I think he was being truthful with me but you can never tell with fisherman. Has anyone had success with pallets like this one?

[00 mod]

Specific locations? Points, steep drops, flats, coves?

 

 

"Yes."

 

  You have to see what works best for your body of water.    At my place, I have them on points, flats and drop offs.  No coves per say, but I have caught fish of of all of them.  I used to put 1 in a spot, but I have come to the conclusion if you want a specific spot, a group of 4 is better and easier to locate.

 

Jeff

[AK-Jax86]

This year I am taking a few trees and throwing them in my spot since there is no structure in there what so ever. I will most likely go the cinder block route to keep them down.

Hopefully the bass return they've been missing all season

[00 mod]

Has anyone had success with pallets like this one?

 

 

I have made some exactly like those, but the bad part is, they are extremely hard to sink.  Too much wood.  In fact, it takes 4 cinder blocks(1 each corner) to get it to sink properly.  And mine were 3/4 pallets.  See these in the back of this picture.

 

Jeff

 

[mattk22]

 

 

I have made some exactly like those, but the bad part is, they are extremely hard to sink.  Too much wood.  In fact, it takes 4 cinder blocks(1 each corner) to get it to sink properly.  And mine were 3/4 pallets.  See these in the back of this picture.

 

Jeff

 

Jeff,

What are those in front and how did you make them?  I am very interested, those look like good crankbaiting cover.

[Bluebasser86]

I like to use cinder block and wire to attach them because it's harder to get snagged on than rope. If I'm trying to get them to stand up I'll use cinder blocks on the base of the tree. If I'm wanting them to lay down then I'll usually cut out or find a spot on the tree with fewer limbs towards the middle to attach the block. 

As for location I've gone by 2 different ways of thinking. First, put them in areas with no other cover because it will attract any fish in the area. I've had this work really well on large, barren flats.

Second, if you drop them on or near proven spots then it will help to attract and concentrate more fish. I've had this work well near dropoffs, channels, rockpiles, and docks. 

[00 mod]

Jeff,

What are those in front and how did you make them?  I am very interested, those look like good crankbaiting cover.

 

 

5 gallon bucket.  filled 5/8 way up with quickcrete.  Shove 1'' sticks of pvc into crete at desired heights and angles.  Then take 3/4'' or 1'' coiled pvc.  Cut them in lengths that will go from bucket to ground.  Shove them into crete and then add water to solidify the setup. 

 

Tip-  Take sandpaper and rough up the PVC.  This will allow algae to grow quicker and attract baitfish sooner.  Then the cycle begins!

 

Jeff

[mattk22]

5 gallon bucket.  filled 5/8 way up with quickcrete.  Shove 1'' sticks of pvc into crete at desired heights and angles.  Then take 3/4'' or 1'' coiled pvc.  Cut them in lengths that will go from bucket to ground.  Shove them into crete and then add water to solidify the setup. 

 

Tip-  Take sandpaper and rough up the PVC.  This will allow algae to grow quicker and attract baitfish sooner.  Then the cycle begins!

 

Jeff

how do these perform for you compared to other brushpiles you build?  what do you think give you the best bang for the buck?

[Mr_Scrogg]

Xmas trees are free. Talk to friends and family.

[Mr_Scrogg]

Good tips everyone, thank you!!

[00 mod]

how do these perform for you compared to other brushpiles you build?  what do you think give you the best bang for the buck?

 

 

These were my favorite to build and while I haven't caught fish off of every piece of cover I have put out, I have caught bass on every type.  Best bang for your buck are Xmas trees.  Free of of the curb and then $1.19 for a cinder block and a big cable tie(never rot).  Problem being, the trees are not forever.  After a year or so they are no good.  Something you have to do every year. You get hung a lot less on the PVC.  There are pros and cons to all of them!

 

Jeff

[pancityhanman]

really like the pvc trees.  i guess a line with a big hook would work pretty good at setting them.

[TrapperJ]

One that always sticks out in my mind was last year on the Bass Pros Evers cut down willow tree limbs and dropped in the lake, The plus side the fresh cut limb with green leaves really draw the bait fish in and of course then the bass, the down side is they dont last. But he was able to come back in 24 hours and catch some fish. I know during an "event" it would be priceless to have a spot like that knowing you could show up and expect to catch something.

[Jon G]

Ive seen people people drop them around docks before as well and it is pretty successful.

[Sam]

Use strong wire to attach trees to cinder blocks. You cannot use too much wire to attached trees to blocks.

 

Try to find an area with low current so the current does not take the trees away.

 

Be careful when sinking them, especially from a boat. The cinder blocks can scratch the boat and tear the carpet. Have help with you when sinking the trees. DO NOT TRY TO DO IT ALONE. Too dangerous.

 

Mark the location on your map.

 

Never, ever tell anyone where you sunk your trees.

[ww2farmer]

 It's illegal in NYS, and I wouldn't do it if it were legal. Personally I think it's pretty sad if you can't find and catch fish on the natural cover and structure of the lake and have to resort to planting brush to make your own secret fishing spots.

[Bluebasser86]

 It's illegal in NYS, and I wouldn't do it if it were legal. Personally I think it's pretty sad if you can't find and catch fish on the natural cover and structure of the lake and have to resort to planting brush to make your own secret fishing spots.

Some of the lakes in KS are about as featureless as it gets. The state will often add them to shallow water to help the bass fry survival rates because in some lakes where there is literally nowhere for them to hide, survival rates are extremely low. So it isn't just to help find fish, it can really help the populations as well.

[00 mod]

 It's illegal in NYS, and I wouldn't do it if it were legal. Personally I think it's pretty sad if you can't find and catch fish on the natural cover and structure of the lake and have to resort to planting brush to make your own secret fishing spots.

 

 

My "spot" is an oxbow.  Basically where the Mississippi river flows when it is flooded out of the banks.  Otherwise it is a sand pit.  The ONLY cover is What is washed in from the river( floating trees and debris) and what I put in!

 

Jeff