Fish Habitat Ideas Needed to Promote Vegetation

[KenDammit28]

I think the idea you mentioned would work ceph, but I would change the fencing to chicken wire or some other sort of pretty small holes.  You have to worry about turtles, too.  They will go through a lot of vegetation just like carp will.  If I were you, I would start by building a "PVC fence" using the PVC pipes and the chicken wire.  If that doesn't work, maybe go to something more solid, like almost solid nylon netting instead of the chicken wire?

[Cephkiller]

I fish a private gravel pit that is connected to the White River by a canal.  There is absolutely zero vegetation in there.  I assume the carp eat everything and maybe the "trash fish" stir up the bottom so much that nothing can establish itself.  I know that there are bowfin, catfish, gar, carp, buffalo, drum and who knows what else present.  The bass and crappie fishing is pretty good, but I think some green stuff would really liven things up.

I was wondering if I could place some kind of structure in there that would allow the vegetation to establish itself.  I was thinking I build a PVC box frame and use some sort of screen (maybe some of that orange plastic construction fencing?) to keep out the big fish, but still allow access by small critters such as baitfish, crawfish, insects, etc.  Has anyone heard of anything like this and do you think it would be beneficial?  Thanks.

[phisher_d]

Ceph,

I think it's a good idea for establishing the vegetation, but if you plan on fishing around it I think the chicken wire or fencing would be pretty easy to get snagged on :-/  

[Gatorbassman]

Here is a link to one that can be made with PVC and Cable. It works great and will last a long time. http://georgiawildlife.dnr.state.ga.us/content/displaycontent.asp?txtDocument=117&txtPage=3

[Gatorbassman]

Here's some more.  http://georgiawildlife.dnr.state.ga.us/content/displaycontent.asp?txtDocument=117&txtPage=10

[Cephkiller]

The chicken crate in the last photo might work for what I have in mind.  The key feature has to be that the spaces have to be small enough to keep out the carp and whatever else is eating all the vegetation in there.  I was mainly wandering if this would promote vegetation growth.

[Hookhead]

In the previous thread I commented about a bass show (Bass Center?) where they sunk old xmas trees for cover.  They took the trees and tied a cinder block to the bottom of the tree and tied a capped 2 liter soda bottle to the top of the tree so that it would stand up straight.  I imagine this would work with any small brush or shrub.

[Raul]

Old tires Ceph, you can build triangular shaped cover with them, just pour cement on one to make it sink and tie the other two to the base one forming a triangle, with them you can make a reef structure that will last forever.

[Cephkiller]

Ceph,

I think it's a good idea for establishing the vegetation, but if you plan on fishing around it I think the chicken wire or fencing would be pretty easy to get snagged on :-/  

Well, that right there is a good point.  I guess I will try to think of something else.

Also, I wonder if the vegetation would even hold bass if they couldn't get into it.  And if it didn't hold bass, would it even be beneficial?

[Guest avid]

Here in florida lack of vegetation is not a problem.  As a matter of fact it is pretty much the only cover availabe in alot of lakes.  I have dropped some cut down trees and they are working well as bass attracters.

PS>  Old tires make great structure but you need to check with your local fish and game warden.  Using tires for structure in florida is illegal.

[Matt Fly]

If you are looking for something to help hide fry and baitfish, you can't beat cedar and Xmas Trees, nice and tight, will last about 2-3 years before you will need to add to them.   If you are trying to establish vegitation, we used T-posts in the shallow areas wrapped in chicken wire to keep the fish out, only minnow and alike sizes could swim through the openings.   Its nice ideal, but untill the carp are thinned, the vegitation once restarted will only get eaten away as soon as grow out side the wire.    

[GobbleDog]

Hydrilla.  The vegetation that anglers love, but boaters and jetskiers hate. Which makes me love it even more.