I am going to be putting out some PVC trees in the near future and want to add some limbs to them to make a better cover. My problem is that I do not want to wait until Spring for the willows to leaf-out to use willow limbs. Here in the Big Thicket yaupon is one of the only plants that still have their leaves on them during the winter. Has anyone ever tried yaupon limbs?
We call them holly bushes were I live. I knew that the berries were toxic, so while doing some searching on the internet I came across this. It may be helpful and I hope it doesn't cause any confusion on people dropping habitat But it is good to know if what is dropped is toxic or not to fish.Here is the information that I found:http://plantsciences.utk.edu/pdf/Pla...PoisonFish.pdf
I don't think you should try to put out limbs with leaves on them at all. It may help attract some algae quicker, but they fall off pretty quickly anyway. Tie on some nice bushy cedar limbs if you want....don't tell me the great state of Texas doesn't have a cr@pload of cedar to get rid of
Most folks put out cover so think you can't fish but the edges. Last I heard even the fisheries biologists suggest min 8'' spacing. I love trees with few limbs and no leaves like Persimmon in the winter.
NimQuote:
Originally Posted by NIMROD
Different cover serves different purposes to make your fishery or "Honey Hole" balanced and healthy...thick cover like Christmas Trees, Dense Cedar brushblocks, bundled lay down limbs, stacked pallets with wood, thick bamboo, etc, all serve a purpose, these kick off the local ecosystem, provide cover for craws, baitfish, fry, micro-organisms, etc. Shad will even use these areas to graze algae off of...this will provide a restaurant for crappie in your "larger spaced" cover, so they won't leave.
You can build a self sufficient ecosystem in your area and provide Crappie everything they need...if you pick a GOOD place, with a spawning area close by, deeper water near for summer and winter, good oxygen, and not a heavy current...you can provide everything else...they will stay ALL YEAR LONG...plus you draw other Crappie AND help replenish by providing ingredients for their life cycle.
TonyQuote:
Originally Posted by Tonykarter
Any non-poisonous wood will work whether it has leaves or not.
Vic is right, Cedar should be cheap down there and lasts a lot longer than Christmas trees.
NON TREATED lumber can also be used and works well, if you can find it free or cheap.
Have also been doing some research on IRON WOOD, Iron Wood is so dense that it sinks in water with no other weight and does not degrade....North American has 2 types of IRON WOOD...One type is near you, it is the Desert Ironwood, it is a 30ft tall 25ft spread with many main trunks of twisted wood. Another is in North Dakota called Hop-Hornbeam....wonder how you would cut it!lol
Thanks everyone. Excellent information all. Well, I will not be using any yaupon...thanks Scrat! You helped save me from myself which I need quite often, but only recognize too seldom. I would have loaded then up with yaupon and then sat topside wondering why no fish in my structure. Yes, cedar. In my mind's eye I can remember some being in the woods across the street. Its worth a short walk to see.
1 wood to AVOID is walnut, either English or native Black walnuts. The sap and wood and especially the nut husks ALL contain a chemical that can stun or incapacitate fish and aquatic life...DO NOT use it !