Mossy Oak Bassmaster High School presented by Academy Sports + Outdoors

Alabama Power creates new habitat

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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.
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.
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.
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.
The foundation of the FAD is a two gallon bucket.
The foundation of the FAD is a two gallon bucket.
After a quick safety briefing, the work begins.
After a quick safety briefing, the work begins.
Members of Gardendale High School, Huk One Bass Club, and Alabama Power employees braved a cold morning to build over 200 FAD's.
Members of Gardendale High School, Huk One Bass Club, and Alabama Power employees braved a cold morning to build over 200 FAD’s.
Two gallon buckets were lined up across a large field in Calera, Alabama.
Two gallon buckets were lined up across a large field in Calera, Alabama.
Family members of the High School anglers provided a helping hand.
Family members of the High School anglers provided a helping hand.
Alabama Power set up a table with face covers to protect the High School anglers as well as towels the anglers could take home.
Alabama Power set up a table with face covers to protect the High School anglers as well as towels the anglers could take home.
Bags of quick concrete were spread out amongst the buckets.
Bags of quick concrete were spread out amongst the buckets.
Anglers worked hard all morning to build FADs.
Anglers worked hard all morning to build FADs.
Alabama Power's Mike Clelland observes the progress.
Alabama Power’s Mike Clelland observes the progress.
After the buckets and bags of quick concrete were in place, piping material was spread out as well.
After the buckets and bags of quick concrete were in place, piping material was spread out as well.
Quick concrete was poured into the buckets.
Quick concrete was poured into the buckets.
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.
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.
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.
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.
An example of what a FAD would look like before the water was poured into the bucket to finalize the process.
An example of what a FAD would look like before the water was poured into the bucket to finalize the process.
A father/son combo gets to work on a FAD.
A father/son combo gets to work on a FAD.
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.
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.
The anglers may not have considered it yet, but they are building a resource that could help them catch fish for years to come.
The anglers may not have considered it yet, but they are building a resource that could help them catch fish for years to come.
After the FAD's are built, Alabama Power will place them in lakes on the Coosa River chain including Logan Martin and Lay Lake.
After the FAD’s are built, Alabama Power will place them in lakes on the Coosa River chain including Logan Martin and Lay Lake.
Once the FAD's are placed in the lake, Alabama Power posts the GPS coordinates 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.
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.
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.
Bass among other species tend to congregate around cover. It makes them feel protected and also serves as a great area to ambush bait.
Bass among other species tend to congregate around cover. It makes them feel protected and also serves as a great area to ambush bait.
After the pipe was buried into the quick concrete, another layer of concrete was added on top of the existing concrete.
After the pipe was buried into the quick concrete, another layer of concrete was added on top of the existing concrete.
All parties involved practiced proper social distancing and wore face coverings.
All parties involved practiced proper social distancing and wore face coverings.
Despite the cold conditions, the High School anglers had a great time building these FAD's.
Despite the cold conditions, the High School anglers had a great time building these FAD’s.
Anglers loved their new Alabama Power swag.
Anglers loved their new Alabama Power swag.
The final step of the process is to fill the buckets with with water and let the quick concrete settle.
The final step of the process is to fill the buckets with with water and let the quick concrete settle.
Anglers took turns pumping water into the FAD's.
Anglers took turns pumping water into the FAD’s.
Alabama B.A.S.S. Nation High School director Darrel High provided all anglers who volunteered with a goody bag full of baits.
Alabama B.A.S.S. Nation High School director Darrel High provided all anglers who volunteered with a goody bag full of baits.
A job well done by Alabama Power and B.A.S.S Nation High School clubs building over 200 artificial FAD's.
A job well done by Alabama Power and B.A.S.S Nation High School clubs building over 200 artificial FAD’s.

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