I have been thinking of building some Crappie condos to put out in a few spots on the river. I was wondering how effective these are at drawing crappie away from random natural structure like fallen trees and such. I don't want to spend for a bunch of PVC and it not work that well, does anybody know we're I could pick up PVC scraps for cheap or maybe free? I have thought about just using bamboo insead of PVC, to keep cost down.
Could one of you guys tell me what one costs to build buying pipe and everything?
Thanks in advance . I really enjoy reading on this site I have learned a lot from you guys & gals.

Somebody posted on another thread to try some irrigation companies as they pull up old stuff and will give it away. I've tried PVC using some old 1.5" stuff, along with smaller "limbs" I had laying around and wasn't impressed with the results.

I've had more luck with cedar, christmas trees, and some limited success with bamboo. Bamboo is by far the easiest.

Thanks Ill check around and see if I can find an irrigation company.
Looks like I will most likely use bamboo , because I know where plenty is and cost won't be an issue there. I was planning on putting these in about 10'-15' of water what are y'all's thoughts on this?

Plus for PVC is they last forever and they are harded to locate even with side imaging.
Minus is they don't attract crappie quite as well in my opinion.

Rivers or creeks are too prone to flooding that will wash condo's away. Use natural trees and get better results.

Bamboo for sure. And the river.. Things change year to year.

I priced PVC as follows: 2" x 10 ft, 1/2" 20 ft. Use the 2
inch pvc in horizonal. The cut the 1/2" pvc in 4 or 5 ft lengths. Drill holes in the 2" (offset the holes)and insert the 1/2 pvc into the holes. The offset binds the 1/2" to prevent it from sliding out of the 2". The 1/2 " is 6 or 12 inches spaced down the 2". This gives an "X" effect. This system is held down by a 5 gal bucket 1/2 full of concrete and attached to the horizonal 2" PVC. Put concrete or rebar in the 1/2" PVC to find it with sonar. Material price approx $30.
Sand the 1/2" PVC to hurry the alge growth.

Have fished this attractor and you can feel the PVC when your jig hits it.

good fishing...

I like willow best of all I have used.

Any picks avablle this sounds interesting.

Any one know where I can find some bamboo around McKinney. More than willing to cut and clear it out for anyone.

I know a guy that says he uses willow trees "weighted and floated " to produce good numbers. But I don't have any idea where you get the trees or how he W&F them. I too am interested in seeing pics of the condos mentioned above. I would prefer to go the easiest and cheapest route on these condos, if ya catch my drift.

I believe that with a open mind, a person can come up with all sorts of things to use for using to attract crappie. I spend available time looking through Craig's List for materials. There are listings for USED PVC, Bamboo, Lumber, Buckets, etc. They are not there in abundance, but if you keep a eye out, it will surface. Keep your eye's and ears open while driving around for things like Bamboo, Willows, Buckets, Lumber. When you see a property grown up with a material that you could use, stop and ak if you can clean it up for the material, but haft to clean it up to make the deal attractive for the owner. Or tell owner what you hae in mind with the clearing, cutting, or trimming. Lots of time, you can trim tree branches.

A little here and a little there and you can come up with Condo Material free of charge, whith the exception of a little effort. Can pick up buckets from fast food places,, printing companies, paint store, just be a little creative in the area that you live. Use the resources in your area. May not get a bunch of anything, but condo's doesn't require a bunch of stuff. Make'm as you come up with the material.

Here is the Horizontal PVC Condo:





keith

I took a bunch of the conduit scraps the telco guys leave after they splice conduits when they are building a new road or doing expansion, they are 2" and I put 9 x 8ft pieces in a bucket and 30lbs of concrete. And it's just trash to those guys they have to pay to have it hauled away anyways so they got no issues you helping them..

I generally find willows that must have fell over close to where I want to build a condo on a lake. Haydite blocks 2-3 tied on the tree with nylon rope work great. Look until you find a big bushy one with big limbs that will hold the trunk up off the bottom.

Ernest Paty and Cliff Spindle taught me all I know about building condos.

I hear ya !
I'll see what I can come up with.
I can get a bunch of scrap conduit, I was thinking it might not work that well.
May give that a shot and try to find a willow or two.