I know that many of you build your own "Crappie Condos".

I was wondering if any of you have purchased the Porcupine Fish Attractor lately or in the past, and what your results have been with them?

If you wonder what they look like try

The Porcupine Fish Attractor

I was thinking that the spheres might be somehow concrete filled, thus easily weighted. I might be wrong.

I wonder if this configuration of an attractor would work or not, even though it is very similar to many self-made or improvised condos?

Jeff

That thing looks like it would move around in the current and you wouldn't be able to find it again. Just doesn't look heavy enough to stay in one spot. I guess that you could add a concrete block at the end of one of them to make it more permanent.

Make on out of PVC pipe and use concrete that will cost you a great deal less....good idea though

Hmmm, let's see:
.
5 1/2 ft.- For 10 ft. and deeper

4 pk box $139.80 $12.35 $2.95 $155.10
6 pk box $209.70 $14.20 $2.95 $226.85
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my cost to build my own: about 6.00 for any depth or size I want.

Thanks Mr. Dance, but I think I'll stick to building my own. As a matter of fact I've got 6 ready to go now.

I'm not looking at the cost issues, though you are in your right to point out that it's potentially more economical to produce your own, even if its different in construction or design.

I'm looking at the overall construction and configuration of the item and considering whether or not it is an effective attractor?

Jeff

Mr. Jign....anything (structure) is good...some just better than others. If the lake you fish has little to no structure and you put out one ( 1 ) condo....it's gonna bring in the fish. If you only have one picture show in town to go see, what ya gonna do? Any PVC or brush of any size will help. To further answer your question...if you build it they will come. Don't woory about how good it looks either...I spent a lot of wasted energy worrying if the condo looked good or not....Honestly the fish could care less as long as it's put in the right spot. Know what I mean?

I kind of like the design actually, just trying to think of what the best adhesive to use to bond the "center" of the porcupine with. Think I'd also concrete one of the pipes to a cinder block to add weight. Might try one out to see if it shows up good on the electronics after deployment. Only bad thing is that you couldn't really assemble one "stealth mode" on the water and would take a risk on getting caught like you could the traditional ones.

CJ,
Bill Dance makes a living out of pursuading other people to buy things. Don't get me wrong, I like him and have fished with him, but that thing has about as much chance of staying where you put it as your dog does after seeing the neighbors cat. Not to mention the lack of signal it would produce on a graph....that is, if you could find it. Save your $$$$$$

Can you guys post some pictures of yalls crappie condos? I was thinking about buying a bill dance condo but it seemed that prices were a little high. SO can you post one of yours up with some easy instructions on how to build one?

Thanks Robert

Go up to the top of this page and hit Search and put Crappie Condo in the blank for a search and you will get a bunch of threads on it and some with pictures. They really are not hard to build.

Yep,there are several crappie condoes on the market but I do like building my own. Each one is different and you can get pretty creative. Be sure that you are aware of the laws on your lake. Store bought or homemade you could get into trouble.

I appreciate all of the feedback. I was flipping through Crappie Magazine when I saw the advertisement for the Porcupine Fish Attractor.

My initial reaction was to question whether or not it might walk away on it'own (like a tarantula) after placement underwater. And it's also one of those items or designs one might ask "why didn't I think about that first" or worst yet, "I thought about that, why didn't I take it to the marketplace?".

I wondered alot about the structures ability to attract and hold fish. Then I got to thinking of all the many times I've seen fish holding on metal piping or crossbars from delapidated boathouses and similar structures.

As to Bill Dance promoting items for the anglers, that's his job. He is paid based on the vaule he brings to the marketplace. He has a good sized following of angler across several species, moving tons of product off the shelves based on his endorsements.

How many of you find yourselves scratching your own heads from time to time that Wally Marshall was able to create or fill a niche within the tackle industry, and to be reaping the rewards of consistent promotion and hard work over the past several years?

This isn't to be construed as negativity towards a person or a product, but more along the lines of "who would have thought?".

Again, thanks for the comments and viewpoints.


Jeff

You're supposed to weigh down the porcupine with something otherwise obviously it will not stay where you put it, I think it advises you do to so. Anyway ya it's spendy and can be mimicked for a lot less. I like building my own as well and have alot of kinds. The easiest I have built yet is to take 3/4 pvc in about a foot lengths and throw some in a coffee can and add concrete. Then take 1" pvc about 5 ft long with you out on the boat. When you get out there take the 1" pipes slide them over the 3/4" nubs in the concrete and screw them together. In one coffee can I can fit about 5-6 "nubs" to screw the 5ft lengths of 1" pvc to. I'll take some pics and post them, but until then I hope I described it right. Each one costs about 6 bucks get everything you need from Lowe's Depo.

I like your idea. Much more portable than the other condo ideas I've seen. Do you think that the coffee can with concrete has enough mass to keep the condo upright once you sink it?

We all love him but you gotta admit that Bill Dance is the Krusty the Clown of fishing. He'll endorse anything. Hoohaaaaa, Hey Kids!