What would be the best stuff to put in a PVC Crappie condo? Looking to fill it with cottonseed cake or fish feed or something that would attract fish for several months. Any thoughts on what to load it with and should you drill holes at the bottom of the main shaft of the PVC or spread them throughout?

I haven't baited any yet but I would wait to see what these guys on the forum tell you because you may bring in nothing but Cats, Gar and Carp..........

You will attract alot of trash fish baiting them, brush or pvc works better unbaited imho. The algae will form either on the pvc or brush which will atract the bait fish. Pvc will take a little longer than the brush but they will come.

Good-luck

Marc

Good input. I keep watching to see if anyone has tried this and if it attracted the wrong kinda fish. It was just a brain storm.

i think this post by dwmoore mentions baiting a condo (with pics). dwmoore might have more info

i have never baited mine, but minnows = good

Thanks GregD, that helps. I think I will dabble with diferent types of food and see what happens. Really looking for fall spots anyway. If the trash fish get too bad I'll just chalk it up to experience. I,ve heard of good things with cottonseed with a mixture of fish pellets that go in those feeders. Has anyone tried this in a condo in 20 to 25 feet of water? Or has anyone tried to make a contraption with a sealed battery that will keep a green led lit that is strapped to a condo wonder if thats a way to attract bait fish?

You are making it way too difficult. Sink the PVC condos then sink some willows in there with them and you will have crappie. Trust me on this one, the willows will get the bait fish in there quick and eventually the algae will form on the pvc. I've caught fish 2 days after sinking willows. They will find it this time of year for sure.

Dont overthink the condo thing location will always produce more crappie .Just remember you arent going to pull up to a condo and load the boat if you get 2-3-4 be happy and move to another .I baited mine to try and get them there quicker .I did not take a pic after I put some willow branches on mine.I like doing this way because I dont like hauling huge trees in my boat .Work on finding barren water with dropoffs and dropem and the fish will find them

I don't know why you guys want to put brush with your condos. That defeats the purpose of useing PVC which is two things, first they last forever, second you don't get hung up. As said, location is the most important thing. I've caught fish within as little as three days. Also have caught limits off of one set of condos and had to leave them biting. Do not add anything to your condos! If you put them in the right places they should attract lots of fish. These styles work very well for me.
GoodLuck
CrappieMaster

Nice looking condo there with the plastic barrel.

Thanks for all the input.

Once the algae starts to build around what you got going on, That will soon become a sancuarry for slabs . Those look real good!

Have you had any trouble getting them to settle!

"CrappieDale"

I have used the cheapest canned dog food you can find and it has worked GREAT.