Thread: Dropping Christmas Trees

Hi,

I would think one cinder block will sink the christmas tree...We drill through the shaft and run wire and attach wire to cinder block..

jeremy

I have read a couple of articles that advised NOT using "needle" trees because of the chemicals in the tree's sap, which releases chemicals into the water and repel fish.

The guide at Lake Nimrod, who places the crappie condos there with assistance from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission advised the same. When I contacted Paul Harper, Lakes Manager, he likewise advised absolutely NO pine trees. I know pine tar/sap is a strong chemical, highly flammable and also a chemical used in strong solvents.

Interesting...but flies in the face of conventional wisdom. Perhaps it's just Pine, and not the fir or other trees used as "Christmas Trees"???

Comments...thoughts....ideas....

Have used same spots for 25 years. And only when I stoped using the trees is when I started catching less crappie. I started reading that it repels crappie. Ah. Not so sure anymore.

We have a guy down here (Texas), that adds 2-3 Christmas Tree's to a spot out in front of his boat dock every year, and has for several years. It has turned into a heck of a Crappie Hole. Christmas Tree's that have been there for a few years, are nothing but the trunk, and a few of the bigger limbs, but with the years he has been throwing Christmas Tree's in this spot, it is a huge area. This area HOLDS the Crappie, but Bass Fisherman sure can screw it up for ya. They use heavy enough fishing gear to drag some of the 4-5 year old trunks up and stirs up the pile.

But the bottom line is Christmas Tree's work here in Texas. This guys has built a heck of a Crappie Hole. If you can beat the Bass guys to the spot in the morning, before they have a chance to run the fish off, re-adjusting the pile, you can load your boat in Crappie.


keith

Willbreaku, have some personal experience helpping to "splash' a couple (hundred) "C" trees. Was part of a group, "The Friends of CJ Brown Reservoir", in 6 yrs placed over 1,000 attractors, approx 2/3rds "C" trees. the biggest drawback is that even Blue Spruce only lasts 3-5 yrs underwater in FERTILE waters (bodies of water with sediment bottoms), they will last much longer in infertile waters like gravel pits. the 2cnd biggest drawback is that yes, untill the needles fall off they are not AS "productive" as they are their 2cnd yr underwater. BUT, their 1st yr they are UNBEATABLE as cover for many kinds of infant and juvenille fish which NEED that cover to help them survive. They become nurseries for baby fish. Now, I know MOST people say "So what? I WANT SLABS." Ok, guess where those slabs go to SPAWN? To cover. Also, few slabs are hatched 12" long...Try placing them in lines shallow to deep in 8- 16 fow. TRY it...have you ever caught so many fish you finally just got TIRED of catching them?

ive been reading the same thing about the c trees being toxic not drawing fish or runni g them off so im gooing to try doing a fast burn off ofthe nnedles .anybody think that may help.ive been using c trees for a long time and have caught fishon them so i was just wondering if i burned needles off if it would hold even more fish

Thanks guys for all the info i have about 31 trees will report back and post pics when i catch my first crappie

4 quick points: #1; attempting to flash burn the needles off is UNNECESSARY. Plus you`ll likely ALSO burn off many of the finer twigs that help them become good nursery cover. And once lit, GOOD LUCK putting them out. #2: If you are placing them in areas with wave action or current use a heavier (10" or even 12") block or an additional 1/2 8" block. #3: ENSURE you secure the block at the trunk of the "C" tree TIGHTLY. Check it by lifting the end of the trunk; if it`s loose or there`s slack between the trunk and block, STOP and TIGHTEN it. Otherwise wave action can break or abraid your wire. 2 points of contact ENSURES it`s not able to break the connection. #4: VHD weed eater line is THE material to use in most cases...tie a loop on 1 end and cut about 24"- 30" long, 2 pieces per "C" tree. Again, after tieing it lift the end of the trunk; if loose, retie it TIGHT. You will LIKE the results..."SPLASH `em ENMASS ! BOMBS AWAY...