Sinking Xmas Trees

[tsherman]

Any recommended setup or lessons learned? I would like to collect 15-20 and sink them. Will crappie use Xmas trees? Thanks!

[Wood_Duck]

check a local dump. usually you can find more than you can haul there. i sink 'em and they work. seem to be abit slow to attract though.

[jcd]

Hi,


We just dropped some xmas trees..We take 5 xmas trees..Drill a hole a through each trunk....After you finish drilling the holes...Run wire or cable through each hole....After that attach two cinder blocks to it.....It works really well.....

Jeremy

[Lowellhturner]

Have sank about 1,100 in the last 15 yrs, both legally and, uh, not so "legally". Basically there are 3 methods to do so depending on the desired results; the cement bucket where just enough lower limbs are lopped off ("nubbed") allowing the tree trunk to hold assuming the tree`s trunk is more or less straight; add the cement AFTER test fitting each tree into the bucket; if it`s big, add several 10 hole red bricks for added weight. After 1 yr or on slopes perhaps 50% will lay over. Then there`s the "tight block to trunk" method; lop off about 18" of the lower limbs on 1 side and stack 2 cement blocks. Put the tree as flat as possible ensuring as stable contact as possible. Take 1 piece of 1/4th" light steel cable 33" long wrap a full complete circle around the trunk ABOVE a couple of the lowest remaining branches and thru the farthest end of the block from the end of the tree. Add the clamp, and put a pair of VICE GRIPS (accept no substitutes !) on each end of the cable and remove any "slack". Tighten the nuts on the clamp. Repeat on the cut end of the tree about 6" up the trunk. Lift the trunk. Test by lifting the cut end of the tree. If done properly there will be no "slack"; the block will be TIGHTLY bound to the tree. After 1 yr 85% will lay over (GREAT perch spawning cover) Lastly there is the "stand up" way- "nub" a bigger lower limb and recut the trunk 2" below the "nub"; removing 12" of the lower branches. Use a 14" block for stability. Use 1/4th" light steel cable 60" long and start by TIGHTLY "lassoing" the trunk just above the "nub". Stand the block on it`s edge and use another block to firmly wedge the trunk into 1 corner about 8" clear of the bigger block; this may take a couple of trys to get set up. Once the bigger block is set onto the trunk with the "nub" sticking up past it`s edge, TIGHTLY wrap the cable over the block, back around the upper trunk, and back down the block in a "figure 8" pattern. This may take a try or 2 but ensure it`s wrapped TIGHTLY. When there are no more wraps possible, add the clamp and tighten. Try to lift the tree. If loose, retighten. After 1 yr, 90- 95% will remain upright. 1 last thought- you can remove 12" of branches in the center of the trees to make them more attractive to crappie. Something to consider: #9 high tensile fencing wire can be used, but it is difficult to draw tight and can inflict NASTY puncture wounds, so if inclined, use it carefully ! Good Luck!

[Lowellhturner]

These will work best either in sets of 6- 12, either in circles or better yet in double lines shallow to deep. If you can secure any PVC pipe sand it and add it in cement buckets on the deeper ends; the combonation of shallow natural cover with deeper PVC SEEMS to give the best of BOTH...going from say 20` to 10, you`ve created a transition that almost always WILL hold something, especially prespawn and late fall crappies. Again, GOOD LUCK !

[NIMROD]

Lots better and longer lasting cover to use . IMO

[crappyman]

They work very well. I've found out that if I just thin out the limbs a little drill a 1/2" hole in the trunk use romex scrap wire and secure the tree to one cinder block drop 3 or 4 at each spot that boats don't run over very much but close to the crappie's migration route to and from shallow spawn grounds. about 12' to 20' of water you have a good chance of attracting some nice slabs. I just picked up some trees at my local recycling center today.

[Lowellhturner]

Agreed some types last longer, but was simply going for sheer numbers. The 20+ yr "Sunday Punch' is coming next yr

[jhef]

i collected a bunch last year and before i could put them out my son and his friends made a big fort out of them..still got the fort and havent caught the first crappie off them..

[tsherman]

Thanks for the feedback guys! We Stacked a bundle of about 5-6 trees per spot. We layed them on their sides and stacked them thinking we wouldn't get hung up as bad this way versus if they were standing upright. Stacked horizontally they were still about 4 foot tall.