Which Fish Attractor Is Right For Your Pond?

When a fish detects a lure, it often cannot discern whether it's artificial or a real baitfish. If it resembles and moves like a live baitfish, and is positioned where live bait is typically found, the fish will strike. Utilizing artificial structures like fish attractors in bodies of water offers several benefits. Lures placed within these structures appear natural and do not require constant replenishment. Moreover, such structures provide the ideal habitat for bass, bream, and/or crappie without the need for replacement. Additionally, artificial habitats can be strategically positioned in feeding zones, simplifying the task of locating and catching fish.

Why Develop Artificial Fish Attractors?

Great Days Outdoors interviewed Cody Borgfeld, the general manager of Texas Hunter Products, a renowned manufacturer of directional fish feeders and deer feeders. Borgfeld stated, “Our company aimed to create additional products catering to the fishing community. These products are designed to assist anglers in locating fish more efficiently and swiftly, while also offering habitat solutions that eliminate the need for replacement, unlike traditional wood structures.”

"Our colleague Chris Blood collaborated with the design and engineering teams at Auburn University, particularly in the Industrial Design and Fisheries departments, to explore multiple concepts. The most innovative designs underwent field testing conducted by prominent fisheries biologists in collaboration with leading lake management firms nationwide. Their invaluable feedback informed the refinement of the final patent-pending designs. In collaboration, they devised four distinct types of artificial fish attractors available in various sizes."

Artificial fish attractors offer numerous advantages for fishing enthusiasts in ponds and lakes. Firstly, they act as a magnet for sportfish, making them highly sought after by anglers. However, their benefits extend beyond attracting large fish; these structures also provide a habitat for algae, plankton, and other small organisms that serve as food for baitfish. This contributes to maintaining a vibrant food chain by safeguarding, preserving, and enhancing the production of these smaller fish.

Moreover, these attractors are durable, constructed from environmentally friendly materials that withstand the sun's rays and resist deterioration over time, unlike natural hideouts. They can be anchored or suspended, creating inviting shaded areas that appeal to bass and other sportfish. Their thoughtful design ensures that fishing lines won't get tangled, enhancing the fishing experience.

Manufactured in America, these attractors are built to last and require no complex assembly, eliminating the need for a toolbox.

What Types Of Fish Attractors Are Available?

Lily Pads

Borgfeld elaborates, "While the majority of our company's artificial fish attractors reside underwater, we also produce lily pads engineered to replicate real ones. These artificial lily pads offer a solution for pond owners concerned about weed control. Unlike our other underwater designs, these lily pads float on the surface. Bass are drawn to the shelter and ambush points provided by lily pads, particularly during the scorching summer months. Our lily-pad fish attractors prove highly effective for anglers employing topwater lures."

The lily pads are the only design for our artificial fish attractors that are above water.

Fish Pyramids

“The most-popular fish attractor we offer is the fish pyramid, which is a protective habitat that has multiple holes where bluegills and other forage fish can congregate and be protected,” Borgfeld says. “These fish attractors have what we call shade blades that pass through the attractors and collect algae. So, besides protecting the forage fish, this fish attractor provides food in the form of algae for smaller baitfish. These attractors give forage fish a chance to grow and reproduce more forage fish before the bass feed on them.”

"We provide two sizes of fish pyramids: a small version and an XL version, both serving as midwater fish attractors. While intended for midwater placement, these pyramids can also be submerged to the bottom or suspended at a desired depth, offering flexibility to pond owners in positioning their fish attractors."

The fish pyramids provide sanctuary for baitfish and feature blades on which algae grows.

"The benefit of utilizing a suspendable fish attractor lies in the ability to position it along the thermocline, where bass frequently reside. The thermocline delineates the transition zone between the warmer, mixed surface water and the cooler, deeper layers. In pond settings, it's advisable not to place fish attractors deeper than 8 feet, particularly in summer when oxygen levels tend to diminish below this depth."

Spawning and Escape Habitat 

According to Borgfeld, "Our spawning and escape habitat enables pond owners to incorporate gravel into shallow waters. One key feature of this spawning habitat is the presence of openings beneath the structure, allowing young bass and bream to seek refuge and avoid predation. Both bass and bluegills utilize this type of fish attractor for spawning purposes."

Spawning habitat can be placed in shallow water and used by both bass and bream.

Fish Grass 

A selection of Texas Hunter's shallow-water fish attractors feature artificial fish grass. Borgfeld highlights, "Algae can thrive on this artificial fish grass, providing an ideal substrate for fish to deposit their eggs. Using artificial grass eliminates concerns about weed growth in specific pond areas. Bass and other fish find this grass advantageous for concealment and ambushing prey. Optimal placement of this fish attractor involves positioning the fish grass in areas where natural pond grass typically grows. In ponds with relatively clear water, grass tends to grow naturally."