Cedar And Pine Trees?

[cjam93]

I had an interesting conversation with my dad today while we were on the lake. We were on a lake we havent fished in a while, and a lot of the trees in the water were either cedar or pine. We could not get a bite on either of those, although all our fish came off of lay downs. He commented that he cant remember hardly ever catching a bass off of cedar or pine. Is there anything to this?

[Bluebasser86]

Some days fish like laydowns, some days pole timber, some days they like the brushy stuff. It's always good to pay attention to details like that when you're trying to put a pattern together. Last time I fished Truman Lake in Missouri they were all in the cedars. Didn't matter how good a laydown or tree looked, if it wasn't a cedar there weren't going to be any fish there, at least none that would bite.

[VAHunter]

Where I fish if you skip the cedar and pine trees you have eliminated about 95% of the laydowns.  Before moving here in '97 I also heard the same thing.  However, bass use those trees all the time.  As mentioned, figure out what they are using that day.  I've had days they are all over the cypress knees, but you can't get bit on a downed cypress tree or vice versa.

[Darren.]

I had an interesting conversation with my dad today while we were on the lake. We were on a lake we havent fished in a while, and a lot of the trees in the water were either cedar or pine. We could not get a bite on either of those, although all our fish came off of lay downs. He commented that he cant remember hardly ever catching a bass off of cedar or pine. Is there anything to this?

 

A great question, and some interesting responses, too.

 

Over the years, I have wondered while I fish lay downs (which is quite often) why I get bit on some tree types, not others. In my experience I have caught more on hardwood lay downs and cypress than any other. Pines tend to not yield much, but that is not to say they yield no fish, because they do, just not as much.

 

It will always perplex me. I simply may not be detailed enough to jot down the conditions of when I got bit on what kind of lay down in order to find a pattern. No, in fact, I am definitely not detailed enough, LOL.

[porkleaker]

Interesting. I'll test this out a bit tonight and early tomorrow morning because there's certainly no shortage of cedar and pine laydowns here. 

[BigBassBarry]

I have been told that until cedar and pine (evergreen trees) turn brown that bass will not attract to them because they put off poisons and rob o2.  or maybe the guy does not want me to fish his brushpiles?

[200racing]

All things breaking down in water use o2.

I wonder if the limb structure of the different species of trees effect go easy it is to get your bait down in there.

[flyingmonkie]

I have been told that until cedar and pine (evergreen trees) turn brown that bass will not attract to them because they put off poisons and rob o2.  or maybe the guy does not want me to fish his brushpiles?

 

I've heard something similar - think it had to do with the oils/aroma that are more predominate in evergreens.  Most of the brush piles I fish are evergreen, but if they are still fresh, I stay away from them.

[Mainebass1984]

 I love fishing pine trees. I have caught some huge fish off of them. I have caught some big big bass off of pine trees that had fallen in the water the day before, still had all of its needles. There isn't a whole lot of cedar trees where I live so I don't have the opportunity to fish them often. If I saw one though I would definitely fish it. I will fish any tree that's in the water. In my opinion cover is cover to a bass. The thicker the better.

[fishballer06]

That's interesting to hear. I've done some work along side the fish commission here in PA, and they use cedar wood almost exclusively for the fish "cages" that they build. I've built dozens of these cages and I've been told that cedar grows a certain type of algae on it that small micro-organism's and baitfish feed on, and then those will attact your panfish and bass to them. 

[geo g]

In Florida we have a lot of lakes with expanses of cypress.  Many trees have nests in them.  Focus on the trees with ospray and eagle nests.  They are messy eaters and chunks of food and feces  fall in the water below.  Bait fish are active under these trees drawing big bass to the vicinity.  Spend extra time in these areas.  They do hold bass.

[CDMeyer]

I have never consider any of this before..... but it makes since there has been some days where I will catch fish on a birch lay down then nothing on the pine (put in other tree here).  This has always shocked me because I thought I had a great pattern.  Knowing this know I see that that could have played a role in my pattern.  I will try and  track this and see what conditions lead to which tress.

[Bluebasser86]

In Florida we have a lot of lakes with expanses of cypress.  Many trees have nests in them.  Focus on the trees with ospray and eagle nests.  They are messy eaters and chunks of food and feces  fall in the water below.  Bait fish are active under these trees drawing big bass to the vicinity.  Spend extra time in these areas.  They do hold bass.

Catfishermen around here follow the cormorants and fish under their roosts because their droppings attract large numbers of channel cats