bambooooooo

[crappie champ]

i just got back from sinking some bamboo piles cant wait to see what happens never tried booooo before.

[CrappieTexan]

Take my word for it... boo produces..... crappie hold above the boo....
All I have ever use was in 28 - 32 ft of water.....
The one in the photo is about 15 ft tall.....
Will visit it in RC around June.....
Good luck..........

[INDYJOHN]

I'm just a rookie when it comes to making structure. Where does one get bamboo? I have a place on a lake that only has a few places that are about 20' deep and I have to keep my structure a secret, so what is the best type of bed for me to use so they won't be found out. They can't be very tall.

[CrappieTexan]

The boo around here grows on the side of county roads........:D

But here is an easy condo to make.... I get the sticks, buckets & sand FREE.. just have to buy the cement... I mix my own concrete....
I cut the sticks 4', 5' & 10' lengths..... pour concrete about 6" deep in the buckets and insert sticks... I also drill holes in the bottom of the buckets for the excess water will drain out and concrete will set up quicker....
They are very easy to handle and put out... I can carry 9 condos at a time when I go out.....
Good luck......

[ERNEST PATY]

I put out 11 bamboo piles yesterday. Four buckets about 12' tall in 18' water and 7 mats in 9' water.

http://www.actionfishingtrips.com/habitat.htm

Hint, on the mats use three blocks, two on the bottom and one on top if you use haydite blocks.

I think they will be big producers.

[Darryl Morris]

I'm just a rookie when it comes to making structure. Where does one get bamboo? I have a place on a lake that only has a few places that are about 20' deep and I have to keep my structure a secret, so what is the best type of bed for me to use so they won't be found out. They can't be very tall.

Just as Ernest put the link up -- http://www.actionfishingtrips.com/habitat.htm -- there are several ways to work with bamboo and those are by no means the only ways. Bamboo can be found most anywhere and once you spot it you'll see it in alot of places. Though it grows wild here, you will find it on people's property planted as a privacy break. It will take over and most folks are more than happy to having it cut back or clear cut. Just ask and offer to take them fishing.

Jerry and I have been working with bamboo now for about 5 years (earnestly in the past 3) and that is in relation to his experience putting out brushpiles for over 20 years. No doubt we found the bamboo works the best and is the easiest material to work with labor-wise for the volume. Each of the standup bamboo condos average about 800 cubit feet of cover. That's equal to 4 or more loads of hardwood set in a single drop.

The mega-mats for example are equal to 4 cedar trees 10-15' tall, 5-6' in diameter sunk together trunk ends together. That's alot of cover volume in a short period of time. Greater production per labor hour is the key to getting ahead on habitat. That's why we were able to set over 300 in 2007 and the fruits of our labor are beginning to show. Our crappie population has grown and the average size has increase remarkably.

[titleman]

I put out 9 boo mats about four weeks ago. Yesterday I caught 28 crappie off of them. It was quite a kick catching em in places where they weren't just a few short weeks ago.

Thanks Darryl and Jerry.

Another observation......I put these in a dead stick lake. Nothing but vertical cover. Very few hiding places. Until i put out the mats, all of the crappie I caught were substantial in size. EVERY one of the 28 caught on the mats were dinks. That tells me the smaller crappie are using the mats for cover. The more cover (saftey) I can provide, I'm guessing the bigger they will grow.

Any thoughts? Anybody?

Titleman

[Slipcork]

Titleman,

Build it and they will come. Even a little brush pile will hold a fish or two.


I talked with the Game and Fish about a lake last week and they said it was all about bait fish, food chain. Need places for the little fish. I think even if you put brush in two foot water for the bait fish that it will help with the food chain. May not catch any good fish off it, but helps the lake.

Long story short. Can't go wrong putting something in the water for the fish. I have even put old fiberglass boats in. They last a long time.

[titleman]

I just had three huge bundles of stakes and scrap lumber delivered. I'm going to put in a lot of stake beds along the bank. Maybe the bigger crappie will be able to protect the smaller terriority of a stake bed.

Titleman.

[ERNEST PATY]

This is a learning experience for sure. The mats will definately show in 4' water. Some of mine show in 6'. I decided that's OK. Still will benefit the fish.

That Bamboo is very bouyant so too much weight is better than too little.

We were using 20'-25' long stalks and have decided to cut about 5' off the bare (butt) end so they will sink better. I also plan on placing some mats in 15'-20' water to see how they hold fish.

Darryl's right, bamboo seems to be everywhere once you start looking for it.