i recently read an arcticle in texas sportsmen about people using fake brushpiles out of pvc and bottles, buckets and other plastic stuff all cut up as brush piles, what do yall think good idea for everlasting piles or too much work compared to christmas trees?

Do a search for "Crappie Condo's" and you will be buried in our opinions.

Can use large plastic drums like 55 gals cut out ends and support sides at each end with pvc pipe

WhyatT,
Check out older topics and you will find a bunch of info about this kind of thing. If a had a boat that was running I would make a few Condos but I have a boat slip so trees work best for me. Some guys prefer Condos vs. trees.

Horizontal vs. Verticle
What are the pros and cons of putting out brush or condos horizontally or vertically? Has anybody made underwater observations as to which way attracts the most crappie?
Charlie