why pvc don't work for some.

I been reading all the discussions about wood or pvc and seeing the mixed results, some not having any luck with pvc and doing well with wood, and others having more luck with pvc. I put out two pvc condos 2 years ago and have had no luck at all, but there is plenty of wood in that area. Put some wood condos out and been catchin fish off of them ever since. I was just ponderin on it and I was wanting to know if the people who have had good luck with pvc are putting in lakes with lots of "natural" structure? Maybe that is the reason for the difference. If there is plenty of natural structure it makes sense that the fish would prefer it over pvc. So, those of you who like pvc, is there lots of wood in your lakes? Those who do better with wood, is there lots of wood in your lake?

It's hard to beat a set up with three individual cedar trees tied to their own concrete blocks and arranged in a triangle 4-6 feet apart.

It's just hard to beat. But even with this set up, it will be minimally effective if not placed in the right places. Same for PVC. With trees or pvc, I place a minimum of three to a group.

aj

I use a lot of PVC and have good locations and some not so good I do okay with PVC but better with wood stake beds

i like to take old bowling balls and take the drill press to them and run broom sticks outta it and did a few with pvc but i think they like the wood better....catch 1 off the pvc to 10 off the wood

The natural cover thing is not the answer i fish a lake thats almost 80 years old and was clear cut when it was built,the only cover thats in it is what the fishermen put in and my wood is far superior to the pvc even when placed within yards of each other......can't explain it but its so.

What about bamboo? Does that fall in the wood cat.?

After putting natural wood like ironwood bushes, willow, cedar well you name it. I tried PVC and then Bamboo. Bamboo is now my favorite. I now have over 30 Bamboo beds I drove in the bottom with at least 100 per spot. I caught fish on some of these 2 weeks after they were in, by accident. Mixed up my waypoints and thought I was on a top but when I seen it on depth finder knew it was one of the boo beds. My brush tops followed a pattern. The first year I caught tons of small fish on them. The second year they got better. My stake beds had good fish on them the first year. I am now a boo fan till the end.

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Originally Posted by mchappy

What about bamboo? Does that fall in the wood cat.?

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I've tried the boo and for some reason they produced well for about 6 months and then nothing can't explain it because it works well for years in other lakes but not here and i'm not the only one thats tried it with the same results.

My opinion is thicker cover is not always better. I hate cedar trees and such as the little ones pile up and jigs snag too often. Stakes or trees with a min. of 8'' spacing tends to produce more big fish here.;)

Has anyone tried milk cartons. Stack them and tie wrap them together, weigh them down . make them as tall you think necessary. Cover the bottom until it looks like stanton island. Should work . your thoughts.

My only concern with the milk crate idea is how many hooks or jigs will hang up too easily. The idea will certainly hold fish though and last forever. Definately worth trying!

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Originally Posted by NIMROD

My opinion is thicker cover is not always better. I hate cedar trees and such as the little ones pile up and jigs snag too often. Stakes or trees with a min. of 8'' spacing tends to produce more big fish here.;)

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Well said......same here.

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Originally Posted by slabbandit

My only concern with the milk crate idea is how many hooks or jigs will hang up too easily. The idea will certainly hold fish though and last forever. Definately worth trying!

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Yeah, but if you snag all you have to do is let some slack in the line and the jig drops out. Can't stick a jig in the plastic. I personally like wood. PVC hasn't produced around here....or so I'm told.;)

I live on a small lake and have many really nice looking pvc condos out around the dock,,,thought it was a great idea so as not have to worry about getting hung up while fishing from the dock...very little action...put out a few big broken locust limbs on the ice and weighed them down really good and worked like it was meant to !!! Catch fish of all species all year long ....ice fishing too !!! Don't know why pvc didn't work...completely covered in moss...you wouldn't know its not a bush ...unless your a crappie I guess...?

I think it may have a lot to do with the fact that insects and such can't borrow into that pvc so there is no food sorce. Been really thinkin on this and that is all I can come up with.