I've got a pile of remnant oilfield equipment cable. The stuff is about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Must be about 100 feet of the stuff. Piled up on the ground it is about 2 feet tall, and spreads out over about 10 feet diameter in a loose, coil. Just to get rid of this mess, I was thinking about having my pond excavation contractor push it into the hole when he was done. What do you think? So-So cover, or simply moving my mess into the pond?

I agree with you Robinson. The fishing would be very difficult without getting hung up on the cables. I think it would probably make fairly decent structure for the fish, but terrible for the fisherman.

It might be beneficial to smaller fish in the shallow areas (2-4 feet). You could try just a little bit and see if they like it for cover. I'd avoid dumping all of it in the new pond though.

Agreed, steel cable is really tough on fishing line but it probably wont bother the fish. Anyone every fished for LMBs behind the docks at lake of the Ozarks? Lots of dock cables to deal with.

Or...is this?

PJ,

At the risk of taking a slightly different view, I'm not sure it represents a significant safety risk. Presumably it will not be uncoiled, but all coiled up in a large flat pile. Yes, fishing line could get entangled in it, but that's true of most any structure. Also, I'm assuming, if placed in a pond, it will be marked from above with some sort of buoy. A two foot tall, 10 foot diameter circle would make a nice area of permanent structure.

As a CE, I'm sure you can better evaluate the safety risks than I...but heck, I've put worse in my ponds that has made fine structure.

Thanks to all who provided input, on various sides of the equation. I appreciate it. I'm flip-flopping on the subject. It is a tangled-up bunch of abandoned cable. It looks like a loose wad of string, of course it is 1.5" diameter steel braid.

It would probably grab fishing line moreso than the old dead live oak I plan to push in there. But the greatest hazard to swimmers is probably pokes from frayed wires which could cause scratches.

I've been waivering on going all-natural with cover versus the lot's of junk approach. Still not sure. Still thinking....but thanks for the thought-provoking comments. I'm starting to think about lots of junk that I have around that would probably make great cover for various species...that old hog trap...that old deer feeder metal drum that is rusted through in places...that 1933 disc parked under the tree...

I'd still like to go all-natural if I can get away with it. I've got a couple of full-sized down live oaks, that have been dead for at least 3 years, which may serve as my main cover at least for now.

poland_jack,

Natural vs. artificial cover is a gray area.

Here are a couple considerations that I use:

1) Depending on your water clarity, you may or may not be able to see the structure you put into the pond. If your water gets very clear (and depending on the depth you place structure), you may not want to put something in that looks ugly sitting on dry land.

2) In my experience, whatever you put in will eventually get "scummed" up with slime coatings which may then obscure the "image" of the junk. If you put an old white refrigerator, the white color will eventually be replaced by the slime color.

3) 90% of any cover/structure you use is going to end up snagging fishing lines/lures, so I don't use that as a prevailing concern.

Man, it sure doesn't take much to invoke deep thought processes around here does it?
If you need a place to dump it, dump it in the pond, maybe cover or tie cedars to it or something.

Burgermeister wrote "Man, it sure doesn't take much to invoke deep thought processes around here does it?"

You know, the funny thing about all of our posts is that most of us are paid to post; but paid by who is the real question.

There definitely seems to be more traffic MTWTF than on the weekends.

Sunil, that's getting too deep for me.

Hey Theo, have you also noticed that most of the posts are during the work day? Hey, maybe that's what Sunil means.

Don't bother me now, DD, I'm on my own time.

Talk at you tomorrow between 6:30 AM and 3:00 PM

I'm on my own time now too, DD.

I have to prep to watch the Steelers on the tele tonight.

I'll get back to you between 8-5 tomorrow.

Guys :

I am always on my own time . That's what happens when you are your own boss ( ughhh slave ). Enjoy life its to short not to. ewest

ewest, I'm in the same boat also. It just used to be lunch time, and after hours. But then I needed more......

Where else can you read so many bad jokes? :p
No offense, Theo.

Burgermeister...now that's a good idea! I'm going to dump it in the pond and tie cedars to it. I was contemplating how to weight down some cedars.