Where to put it all

I have my parts to build my stake driver at home. I have permission to cut a field of bamboo that is 30+ ft tall and most is as large as a tennis ball around. I am planning on alot of different lenths to make beds.

Where is everyones favorite type of spot and should I make some where it sticks up above the water line? I will not be concreting any of it. I do like the bucket idea with holes in the lid for some deep water. How many stakes do usually put per bed and such.

got enough for 50-70 beds I think depending on what ya'll tell me

Give me ideas folks.

That big bamboo will be real bouyant. Might help to drill holes to let some air out. I always like to put things deep enough to avoid boats. Here the COE wants everything deep enough to clear traffic at low pool. The area depends on what when and where you fish. Spring and fall time shallow coves. For post and prespawn channel edges out from shallow coves.

I drive all my stake beds and here are my general guidelines.

(1) Never ever let my stake beds show above waterline. Unless you really do not want to fish them.

(2) Cut the stakes to cover half the water depth at normal fishing level. 8 foot of water I cut them 6 feet long and in soft bottom they drive 2 feet into bottom.

(3) Started out making them with 25 stakes and it worked. Tried 50 stakes and it worked better. Made a few in really good places with 100 stakes and they are awesome.

(4) Cut the stakes to the same length and punch out the centers. It will make your life much easier on the water. I used a chop saw to cut 45's on the end I was driving. Pre-bundle and tie the stakes into groups of like 25 or 50.

This is a lot of work and I make sure I only put them close to where I have caught fish in an area lacking good structure.

preciate the info, How did you knock out centers. I have some 1/2 rebar I could use I reckon

do I really need to 45 em..

45* angle on the bottom end makes em a heck of a lot easier to drive... like a tent stake

You are good to go with the re-bar.
I drive a piece of re-bar in the ground then shove the bamboo down over the re-bar to break out the centers.

good idea hadnt thought of doing it that way.

thats why I love this site, all the cool ideas

Can you explain a little more about why you punch out the centers? It seems they would be extremely hard to knock out? Let me say I have never tried though!:D

Why couldnt you drive them anyway without punching out centers?

ALso, would love to see the plans or a pic for a driver!!

Thanks for the info guys!:)