Xmas Tree Brush Piles 2024

Mr_Scrogg reply :

Im getting ready for my first after Christmas, tree project.

I know 00mod drops many every year. Lets hear some tips for sinking, postioning, and locations.

Thanks!

Bankbeater reply :

I see a lot of Xmas trees with cinder blocks tied to them.

Jig Man reply :

Here in MO the Conservation Dept in cooperation with the Corps of Engineers uses 55 gallon drums with concrete to hold the trees.

Hanover_Yakker reply :

An easy method I have seen is using 5-gallon buckets with quickcrete to install the trees in. Some are placed standing others are placed laying down by adding some form of equal weight on both ends like a concrete block or a brick.

00 mod reply :

All of the above. I have done cinder blocks, 5 gall buckets with quickcrete, as well as stakes driven into the ground and tied tightly.

Jeff

JoeP reply :

Cinder blocks. Quick and easy. That's what we used to do.

Mr_Scrogg reply :

Specific locations? Points, steep drops, flats, coves?

BigBassBarry reply :

I had someone (who wins a lot of tournaments) tell me to put them in a flat area between 10-12' of water that does not have any structure around it and fish will have no other place but to gravitate to. I think he was being truthful with me but you can never tell with fisherman. Has anyone had success with pallets like this one?

00 mod reply :

On 12/20/2013 at 10:07 PM, Mr_Scrogg said:
Specific locations? Points, steep drops, flats, coves?

"Yes."

You have to see what works best for your body of water. At my place, I have them on points, flats and drop offs. No coves per say, but I have caught fish of of all of them. I used to put 1 in a spot, but I have come to the conclusion if you want a specific spot, a group of 4 is better and easier to locate.

Jeff

AK-Jax86 reply :

This year I am taking a few trees and throwing them in my spot since there is no structure in there what so ever. I will most likely go the cinder block route to keep them down.

Hopefully the bass return they've been missing all season

00 mod reply :

On 12/20/2013 at 10:18 PM, BigBassBarry said:
Has anyone had success with pallets like this one?

I have made some exactly like those, but the bad part is, they are extremely hard to sink. Too much wood. In fact, it takes 4 cinder blocks(1 each corner) to get it to sink properly. And mine were 3/4 pallets. See these in the back of this picture.

Jeff

mattk22 reply :

On 12/20/2013 at 11:07 PM, 00 mod said:

I have made some exactly like those, but the bad part is, they are extremely hard to sink. Too much wood. In fact, it takes 4 cinder blocks(1 each corner) to get it to sink properly. And mine were 3/4 pallets. See these in the back of this picture.

Jeff

Jeff,

What are those in front and how did you make them? I am very interested, those look like good crankbaiting cover.

Bluebasser86 reply :

I like to use cinder block and wire to attach them because it's harder to get snagged on than rope. If I'm trying to get them to stand up I'll use cinder blocks on the base of the tree. If I'm wanting them to lay down then I'll usually cut out or find a spot on the tree with fewer limbs towards the middle to attach the block.

As for location I've gone by 2 different ways of thinking. First, put them in areas with no other cover because it will attract any fish in the area. I've had this work really well on large, barren flats.

Second, if you drop them on or near proven spots then it will help to attract and concentrate more fish. I've had this work well near dropoffs, channels, rockpiles, and docks.

00 mod reply :

On 12/20/2013 at 11:55 PM, mattk22 said:

Jeff,

What are those in front and how did you make them? I am very interested, those look like good crankbaiting cover.

5 gallon bucket. filled 5/8 way up with quickcrete. Shove 1'' sticks of pvc into crete at desired heights and angles. Then take 3/4'' or 1'' coiled pvc. Cut them in lengths that will go from bucket to ground. Shove them into crete and then add water to solidify the setup.

Tip- Take sandpaper and rough up the PVC. This will allow algae to grow quicker and attract baitfish sooner. Then the cycle begins!

Jeff

mattk22 reply :

On 12/21/2013 at 12:46 AM, 00 mod said:

5 gallon bucket. filled 5/8 way up with quickcrete. Shove 1'' sticks of pvc into crete at desired heights and angles. Then take 3/4'' or 1'' coiled pvc. Cut them in lengths that will go from bucket to ground. Shove them into crete and then add water to solidify the setup.

Tip- Take sandpaper and rough up the PVC. This will allow algae to grow quicker and attract baitfish sooner. Then the cycle begins!

Jeff

how do these perform for you compared to other brushpiles you build? what do you think give you the best bang for the buck?

Mr_Scrogg reply :

Xmas trees are free. Talk to friends and family.

Mr_Scrogg reply :

Good tips everyone, thank you!!

00 mod reply :

On 12/21/2013 at 12:51 AM, mattk22 said:
how do these perform for you compared to other brushpiles you build? what do you think give you the best bang for the buck?

These were my favorite to build and while I haven't caught fish off of every piece of cover I have put out, I have caught bass on every type. Best bang for your buck are Xmas trees. Free of of the curb and then $1.19 for a cinder block and a big cable tie(never rot). Problem being, the trees are not forever. After a year or so they are no good. Something you have to do every year. You get hung a lot less on the PVC. There are pros and cons to all of them!

Jeff

pancityhanman reply :

really like the pvc trees. i guess a line with a big hook would work pretty good at setting them.

TrapperJ reply :

One that always sticks out in my mind was last year on the Bass Pros Evers cut down willow tree limbs and dropped in the lake, The plus side the fresh cut limb with green leaves really draw the bait fish in and of course then the bass, the down side is they dont last. But he was able to come back in 24 hours and catch some fish. I know during an "event" it would be priceless to have a spot like that knowing you could show up and expect to catch something.

Jon G reply :

Ive seen people people drop them around docks before as well and it is pretty successful.

Sam reply :

Use strong wire to attach trees to cinder blocks. You cannot use too much wire to attached trees to blocks.

Try to find an area with low current so the current does not take the trees away.

Be careful when sinking them, especially from a boat. The cinder blocks can scratch the boat and tear the carpet. Have help with you when sinking the trees. DO NOT TRY TO DO IT ALONE. Too dangerous.

Mark the location on your map.

Never, ever tell anyone where you sunk your trees.

ww2farmer reply :

It's illegal in NYS, and I wouldn't do it if it were legal. Personally I think it's pretty sad if you can't find and catch fish on the natural cover and structure of the lake and have to resort to planting brush to make your own secret fishing spots.

Bluebasser86 reply :

On 12/21/2013 at 9:49 PM, ww2farmer said:
It's illegal in NYS, and I wouldn't do it if it were legal. Personally I think it's pretty sad if you can't find and catch fish on the natural cover and structure of the lake and have to resort to planting brush to make your own secret fishing spots.

Some of the lakes in KS are about as featureless as it gets. The state will often add them to shallow water to help the bass fry survival rates because in some lakes where there is literally nowhere for them to hide, survival rates are extremely low. So it isn't just to help find fish, it can really help the populations as well.

00 mod reply :

On 12/21/2013 at 9:49 PM, ww2farmer said:
It's illegal in NYS, and I wouldn't do it if it were legal. Personally I think it's pretty sad if you can't find and catch fish on the natural cover and structure of the lake and have to resort to planting brush to make your own secret fishing spots.

My "spot" is an oxbow. Basically where the Mississippi river flows when it is flooded out of the banks. Otherwise it is a sand pit. The ONLY cover is What is washed in from the river( floating trees and debris) and what I put in!

Jeff

slonezp reply :

On 12/21/2013 at 10:33 PM, Bluebasser86 said:
Some of the lakes in KS are about as featureless as it gets. The state will often add them to shallow water to help the bass fry survival rates because in some lakes where there is literally nowhere for them to hide, survival rates are extremely low. So it isn't just to help find fish, it can really help the populations as well.

The local DNR has done this to some of the strip mine and powerplant lakes that are void of any natural structure and cover. They dropped "pvc brush" in the lakes. One cooling lake in particular has had the bass population rebound with the addition of these as well as supplemental stockings.

Mr_Scrogg reply :

Our local Dept of Wildlife accepts xmas trees at the office and they disperse them amongst the State lakes.

They even have maps that shows where the brush piles.

Mr_Scrogg reply :

wwfarmer, I always find your posts informative and insightful. And it is your opinion to have that view, and I respect that.

ww2farmer reply :

On 12/21/2013 at 10:33 PM, Bluebasser86 said:
Some of the lakes in KS are about as featureless as it gets. The state will often add them to shallow water to help the bass fry survival rates because in some lakes where there is literally nowhere for them to hide, survival rates are extremely low. So it isn't just to help find fish, it can really help the populations as well.

On 12/21/2013 at 11:13 PM, 00 mod said:

My "spot" is an oxbow. Basically where the Mississippi river flows when it is flooded out of the banks. Otherwise it is a sand pit. The ONLY cover is What is washed in from the river( floating trees and debris) and what I put in!

Jeff

I guess I am "blessed" to have lakes with abundant cover. And I know guys illegally plant brush here to have the "spot on a spot" type deal for a competitive advantage during tournaments. Thats what ruffles my feathers, I guess if it's perfectly legal in your area, and it's improving fisheries to do so, and not "cheating" like it is around here, than have at it. I'll take back what I said as a blanket statement on planting brush as a whole, but I still feel how I feel about it for the reasons it's done around here.

Mr_Scrogg reply :

For tournaments I 100% agree. Just like I have heard of pros scuba diving and placing rock piles in certain locations.

Ill have to dig, but I put a pic of one of the maps that shows piles on here before. Even though I have tge map, Ive yet found one. Lol

Asterisk is piles

coryn h. fishowl reply :

On 12/20/2013 at 10:18 PM, BigBassBarry said:
I had someone (who wins a lot of tournaments) tell me to put them in a flat area between 10-12' of water that does not have any structure around it and fish will have no other place but to gravitate to. I think he was being truthful with me but you can never tell with fisherman. Has anyone had success with pallets like this one?

I can't give any personal experience, but the pallet idea certainly looks sound, though adding some random bits of PVC or wood at odd angles inside might make it appear to be even better shelter, plus it would provide more surface area for algae growth

Surveyor reply :

These 3 trees were put in the pond at least 10 years ago. I suspect my dad put them there year after year while he was still able.

There are 8 that I can see now that were probably put in one year at a time. The last one that could have possibly been placed would have been in 2003

00 mod reply :

On 12/22/2013 at 9:41 PM, Surveyor said:

These 3 trees were put in the pond at least 10 years ago. I suspect my dad put them there year after year while he was still able.

There are 8 that I can see now that were probably put in one year at a time. The last one that could have possibly been placed would have been in 2003

Wow. That is very impressive. I guess my comment about them not being any good refers to an oxbow that gets current and that must affect their ability to stay together and last. Even more curious is the fact your trees aren't even tied down!

Jeff

Surveyor reply :

Jeff they are tied down with a conc. block. Just cant see it in the photo. They are about 5' maybe 6' trees.

I have the pond down 6' right now to help with weed control (water shields) and to crowd the fish so they will fatten up a bit.

I was surprised to see the trees myself along with a lot of cover I didn't know was there.

00 mod reply :

Very cool. This info should help you when the water level is back to normal!

Jeff

slonezp reply :

Jeff, On the river system I fish, I come across a lot of trees that are tied to docks to attract crappie. Same trees are there year after year although they seem to be less "full" BTW, I'm still waiting for the gps coordinates of last years Christmas tree drop.

00 mod reply :

On 12/23/2013 at 1:10 AM, slonezp said:
Jeff, On the river system I fish, I come across a lot of trees that are tied to docks to attract crappie. Same trees are there year after year although they seem to be less "full" BTW, I'm still waiting for the gps coordinates of last years Christmas tree drop.

The trees have produced ok, but the drop from the sand bar flat with the pvc trees and the wooden spools has been the best bet! Just sayin!

Jeff

BigBassBarry reply :

On 12/20/2013 at 9:52 PM, 00 mod said:

All of the above. I have done cinder blocks, 5 gall buckets with quickcrete, as well as stakes driven into the ground and tied tightly.

Jeff

Jeff, I am planning to sink these pallets flat. I have stapled mainly plastic binding from packages to simulate grass. I will let you know how they work. if they work it will cost me staple thats it.

BigBassBarry reply :

On 12/21/2013 at 9:49 PM, ww2farmer said:
It's illegal in NYS, and I wouldn't do it if it were legal. Personally I think it's pretty sad if you can't find and catch fish on the natural cover and structure of the lake and have to resort to planting brush to make your own secret fishing spots.

I know just because everyone is doing something does not make it right. but those that are winning tournaments consistently in my neck of the woods either know where natural structure is or have planted structure. Sure the bank beater can get lucky and win a tournament every now and then. but the guys that win consistently are finding fish on some sort of structure either planted or natural.

Basshammer reply :

For some smaller ones a few bricks will do but mostly i use cinder Block and clothes line which has rubber coating on it seems to last longer.

cbass12 reply :

On 12/21/2013 at 11:46 PM, Mr_Scrogg said:

Our local Dept of Wildlife accepts xmas trees at the office and they disperse them amongst the State lakes.

They even have maps that shows where the brush piles.

The county parks and rec here accepts them and puts them in their lakes. When I used to fish SMP lake we would catch a good amount of fish out of them.

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Xmas Tree Brush Piles 2024

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