Thought I'd share this for the folks who always ask. A quick "how-to" for making crappie condos on the cheap!


Supplies/Tools - 5 gallon bucket, QuickCrete, PVC pipes, drill, sandpaper, rope, and bungee.



Scraps of PVC. Check with your local plumbing supply company.



Drill holes in bottom portion of PVC so the concrete gets inside the pipes



Fill with concrete and set center pipe



Add remaining pipes and bungee together. Drill more holes ABOVE the concrete line so the condo will sink easier.



Use a coarse grade sandpaper on the PVC pipes. This will promote faster moss/vegetation growth on the condo.



Let dry/set for about 4 or 5 days. Transport to favorite fishing location



Attach real trees or branches to condo, if desired. You can also fill the PVC pipes with range-cubes or your favorite bait to jump-start the baiting process.



Going, going....



Gone! A beautiful new home for our local crappie population!!!

All you left out was some waypoints

Nice work Sandie Man

Sandi Man, what would u guess it cost?

Very cool! Thank you.

That is great. Thank you for posted all that.

Sucha A great Ideal Thank You!!!

That is cool!!!!

But you wasted a good bucket!!! Put some motor oil in the bucket before you pour the crete in and it "should" slide out after settting up. It works on crete out of a truck.

Looks good.

I'd be worried about it falling on its side without support on the bottom of the bucket. I've seen it done but I forget how he did it.

one like that will still hold crappie laying on it side.

Mo

I think WD40 or PAM would be a little more eco friendly, Roachie. WD is mostly fish oil to boot that should attract them better than used motor oil.

I've been copying Ernest, again, by just towing out trees from the bank. All I have to carry in the boat are some blocks & rope.

RadTexan - waypoints are easy to remember....My Boat Slip!

Guru - total was $24 to make 2 condos. That was for the Quickcrete, buckets and sandpaper. PVC was free.

MrRoachie - Funny you should mention that. We were considering spraying cooking spray (Pam) on the inside of the bucket and lining it with a garbage bag for that purpose. We decided against it. Too much trouble - LOL.

ChickenMan - Yes, you can cross a couple of pallet boards across the bottom of the bucket to stabalize it. But, there shouldn't be any strong winds or currents where we placed these. I think they'll be fine. But, if you plan to drop a condo in the main lake, or near a creek channel, I would recommend doing that for sure.

You're right. Its not needed unless placed in the mail lake or near channels. Looks good. Now, where's your slip ?

What is the bungee for?

Never thought about using a plastic bag..

That should be tha bomb!!

The bungee is to secure the largest pipe in the center of the bucket while the quick-crete dries and sets. You'll see the bungee in the 6th picture down, the pic that shows the whole condo in the garage.

Forgot to mention...you'll want to drill holes in the top of the center pipe for threading a rope...that allows you to get your rope back after lowering.