Alabama Power creates new habitat

B.A.S.S. and Alabama Power have been partners for many years. Recently, Alabama Power hosted an event that allowed B.A.S.S. Nation High School clubs to assist in building artificial fish attractors as a part of the company's Habitat Enhancement Program.

Photo: Kyle Jessie

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To build over 200 FAD's (fish attracting devices), you must have the proper material. Two crucial components are quick concrete as well as pipe.

Photo: Kyle Jessie

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The foundation of the FAD is a two gallon bucket.

Photo: Kyle Jessie

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After a quick safety briefing, the work begins.

Photo: Kyle Jessie

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Members of Gardendale High School, Huk One Bass Club, and Alabama Power employees braved a cold morning to build over 200 FAD's.

Photo: Kyle Jessie

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Two gallon buckets were lined up across a large field in Calera, Alabama.

Photo: Kyle Jessie

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Family members of the High School anglers provided a helping hand.

Photo: Kyle Jessie

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Alabama Power set up a table with face covers to protect the High School anglers as well as towels the anglers could take home.

Photo: Kyle Jessie

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Bags of quick concrete were spread out amongst the buckets.

Photo: Kyle Jessie

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Anglers worked hard all morning to build FADs.

Photo: Kyle Jessie

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Alabama Power's Mike Clelland observes the progress.

Photo: Kyle Jessie

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After the buckets and bags of quick concrete were in place, piping material was spread out as well.

Photo: Kyle Jessie

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Photo: Kyle Jessie

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Quick concrete was poured into the buckets.

Photo: Kyle Jessie

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After the quick concrete was poured into the bucket, the pipe was placed into the bucket. The goal is to get the pipe buried down into the concreted before the water is poured into the bucket.

Photo: Kyle Jessie

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The pipe would come too long to start with, so anglers would break it in half or fold it to make it fit in the buckets.

Photo: Kyle Jessie

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Photo: Kyle Jessie

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An example of what a FAD would look like before the water was poured into the bucket to finalize the process.

Photo: Kyle Jessie

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A father/son combo gets to work on a FAD.

Photo: Kyle Jessie

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Building artificial fish attractors has multiple advantages over sinking a traditional brush pile. Traditional brush piles will degrade over time as where this style of FAD will last for much longer.

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The anglers may not have considered it yet, but they are building a resource that could help them catch fish for years to come.

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After the FAD's are built, Alabama Power will place them in lakes on the Coosa River chain including Logan Martin and Lay Lake.

Photo: Kyle Jessie

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Once the FAD's are placed in the lake, Alabama Power posts the GPS cordinates to their website for all anglers to enjoy.

Once the FAD's are placed in the lake, Alabama Power posts the GPS coordinates to their website for all anglers to enjoy.

Photo: Kyle Jessie

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Artificial fish attractors are great for the environment because they last much longer than traditional brush piles and provide a clean peice of cover for fish to congregate to.

Artificial fish attractors are great for the environment because they last much longer than traditional brush piles and provide a clean piece of cover for fish to congregate to.

Photo: Kyle Jessie

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Photo: Kyle Jessie

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Bass among other species tend to congregate around cover. It makes them feel protected and also serves as a great area to ambush bait.

Photo: Kyle Jessie

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After the pipe was buried into the quick concrete, another layer of concrete was added on top of the existing concrete.

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All parties involved practiced proper social distancing and wore face coverings.

Photo: Kyle Jessie

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Despite the cold conditions, the High School anglers had a great time building these FAD's.

Photo: Kyle Jessie

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Anglers loved their new Alabama Power swag.

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The final step of the process is to fill the buckets with with water and let the quick concrete settle.

Photo: Kyle Jessie

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Anglers took turns pumping water into the FAD's.

Photo: Kyle Jessie

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Alabama B.A.S.S. Nation High School director Darrel High provided all anglers who volunteered with a goody bag full of baits.

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A job well done by Alabama Power and B.A.S.S Nation High School clubs building over 200 artificial FAD's.

Photo: Kyle Jessie

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Alabama Power creates new habitat

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