how in the **** do you keep a bale of alfalfa hay on the bottom?? i have tried every thing outside of a safe to keep this thing down but it always comes back up, maybe ill put in my boat and if it ever sinks ill just grap that thing and float on to the bank, if you know the answer let me know.

guy, the only way i think to keep it down is to take 2 5 gal. pails and fill them up with concrete and try them on the wires around that are around the bale. also wet it down before you put it overboard. this is the only way i see to keep it down. how this helps....

I have been thinking about this as well. I have thought about making a 'cage' out of PVC, and the PVC would be cemented into cinder blocks in the 4 corners. Then after the hay is gone, you'll still have a PVC 'condo type' structure there to hold a few fish. Drill a few holes in the PVC to help it sink too. I'm thinking that you would have to use at least 1" PVC as 3/4" may be too flemsy.

I found out how bouyant christmas trees are. Using a half cinder block to sink a single christmas tree failed. Next time, I will use either a full size block or 2 half size. I might also use a chain instead of rope, which would help with weight.

Here is a link to some condos I did this past weekend: http://home1.gte.net/res0omq7/condos2004.htm


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shanbrad...those are some Good lookin condo's!

Nice condos, where was this ????

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Here's to the one that got away! NEXT TIME

I'm not sure. My Dad tried to sink hay bales one time and a guy rode up and suggested he strap the Yammy 150 onto it .

I've been reading about using range cubes instead of alfalfa. Anyone have any comments on the effectiveness??
I hear they sink!!

Maybe try to just sink part of the bale at a time .

I own a feed store and I have had a few customers as well as myself that have used the 33 lb. cottonseed protien blocks for sinking to attrack crappie. They come in a clear plastic wrapping. Don't remove the wrapper. Instead cut holes in the plastic so it stays together longer. It will sink like a rock.
You will attrack just as much with one flake of hay as you will the whole bale and it will be a lot easier to sink.

just my 2 cents... but if you leave the plastic wrapper on, arent you just leaving trash in the lake? i understand it might make it last longer, but wouldnt no plastic be better for the lake and fish?

When all the block is gone you well catch a plastic crappie.This is a good one boys get the net.

D Beason,
I have heard of range cubes, but you can also buy just plain ole alfalfa cubes they work pretty good!! I take a bucket and sink it with a rope and a brick in the bottom of the bucket with holes in the bucket of course and mix in some rabbit food!! Ole Roy works pretty good to I have heard, granted I have a boat slip so it is a little easier, but just a thought for you!! Good Luck and Good Fishin!!!!

Crappieking -- But what is your real secret to always catching more fish than me even when we fish with the same jig and in the same hole, under the same bucket, in the same condo, with the same rod, the same reel and etc?

Hung Up, I'll just say that they are in Cedar Creek. I just took pictures of 4, but I actually sank 7 of them. I don't want to totally disclose the spots as I am doing this for my 2 sons, so they can catch fish to keep their interest.

I think I'll be going by the feed store soon, to get some of those range cubes and some alfalfa

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If you will run water on the alfalfa bale a few days prior to taking it to the lake it will sink a little easier (1/2 a Volkswagon instead of 1--still takes a lot of weight). Be careful, if the water is turned off after a few days and the alfalfa bale allowed to sit in warm weather without ventalation, a lot of heat is generated inside of the bale (hay barns have burned to the ground from fresh wet hay). This will work just be conscious of this fact.