Is The Base The Place Where Artificial Fish Habitat Begins?

We have been writing about and filming our artificial fish habitat products underwater for almost two decades. In that time, we have learned a great deal by creating the only ongoing data driven study of its kind. In designing and producing the first and only line of artificial fish habitat structures that proves its efficacy, we have the data confirming what types of fish attractors or fish habitat the fish prefer to use. Protecting fry, growing bugs creating food is essential to improve a fishery, but it all starts from the bottom up.

Eric Engbretson, owner of Underwaterfishphotos.com, has been helping us see the secrets of the freshwater world from our start back in 2007. He has spent his career, filming, diving and documenting fresh water fish, the most experienced in his unique field. Without Eric's help and experience filming all types of habitats in freshwater lakes, our industry of artificial fish habitat would be in a drastically different position. More than one model got the thumbs down from both Eric and the fish. Here's an explanation of what we learned ten years ago.

Understanding fish habitat height that we sometimes call the vertical element, came from Eric. Seeing hours of film, showing that the tighter and smaller the spaces in fish habitat, the better. Density, surface area, type of plastic/material and even the base matter profoundly in any lake, pond or reservoir. These ideas had to proven. Along with making fish cribs that actually have all sizes of fish feeding, resting and spawning, we have the fishes approval.

Before all the specific components of an artificial fish habitat can be assembled together, the base to hold it to the lake floor needs to be considered, as it provides an integral and necessary part of what fish prefer for cover. A distinct base provides protection from one side. All animals, fish, birds and humans are common in this feeling of vulnerability, choosing to hide against an object of any kind to hide from danger. The base provides this cover.

The integral base of our habitat products which holds the cement, have proven to be as important as any component that it holds. Bass especially love to hang out against the base, under some PVC limbs. This "homebase" at the bottom seems to give fish a feeling of security. With Eric's advice, years ago we increased the base sizes on models to take full advantage of what the fish were showing us.The fish truly do determine how we make and sell our fish habiat products. More base means more basement protection.

Fish rise and fall in the water column throughout the year for many different reasons. Having dense, intricate and food filled cover from the bottom up, allow them to hang out wherever they feel comfortable on any given day. Fish will only stay if there is food present.