Home made FADS

[RobRocket]

Has anyone made there own fish attracting devices. Im thinking of a few ideas and would like any advice.

[mackmauler]

Cant offer any first hand advice, there were plans in bluewater a few issues back, engine block or a couple of 44s full of cement get the nod for the anchor, there have been several attempts from people I know and they have all failed, trawlers get the blame... putting something like that out in open water without notice is another issue ???

[poncho]

I too cant offer any first hand advice either, but have entertained the notion for a while and might give it a go soon.
This might help its an article in bluewater..

http://www.bluewatermag.com.au/dec02feature2.asp

not sure if thats the one mackmauler is talking about but they give a few hints on what might work. This is a quote out of the article:

"As mentioned, NSW Fisheries operated a serious FAD program in the early 1980s and went through this type of sequence of designs. Several elaborate models involving large rafts topped by solar panels, lights and radar reflectors were trialed. The final design, which proved to be successful in the strong currents on the continental shelf off Sydney, was the essence of simplicity. Consisting of a 30cm by 4m long PVC pipe, the buoy was foam-filled with some cement poured in at the other end so that it floated with half its length above and half below the waterline."

Sounds simple enough though as mackmauler pointed out where to put them so they dont get noticed or cleaned up might be another issue. Definately worth a shot though.

cheers,