FAQs

Help me understand the difference between single trunk products and Kits of MossBack Fish Habitat.

A single trunk product contains only one trunk, while a Kit clusters three single trunk products together on a base covered with a shade top. Kits provide a greater amount of complexity, surface area, and density resulting in escape habitat for forage fish. The shade top helps provide cooler water and shade from sunlight in hotter summer months.Single product vs. kit grpahic

I have a pond with lots of fish, however I can’t often catch them. Will MossBack Fish Habitat increase my opportunity to catch more fish?

Yes! MossBack habitat provides a resting point (trophy tree) for your fish as well as congregates bait fish as a nearby food source (safe haven), encouraging fish to stay near the habitat. University and State Agency studies in TX, SD, FL and LA have shown significant increases in catch rates when fishing from MossBack Fish Habitat structure. In addition to providing the opportunity to catch more fish, lures and hooks do not get hung up causing line breakage, which can happen with natural woody structure.

I have a pond full of fish, but they are not growing. Can MossBack Fish Habitat help me with the growth rate of my fish?

Yes, predator fish like bass and crappie will have Trophy Tree structure to ambush from and will not be required to chase forage fish all around the pond using vital energy resources that can be used to grow larger. The Root Wad and Safe Haven products have a close condensed limb pattern designed to hold fry and bait fish. It purposefully has more limbs to create a tighter structure that gives the smaller fish a place to hide, eat and have protection from the larger fish. This significantly increases fish recruitment by protecting the fry. The tendency of sportfish to over populate needs to be addressed as well when striving to increase sportfish growth rate.

What materials are used in your products?

MossBack Fish Habitat products are made with environmentally safe, recycled American-sourced rigid PVC.

My budget will only allow me to purchase a portion of the MossBack Fish Habitat that was recommended for my pond. Is it even worth installing a small portion of fish habitat now?

Any added fish habitat will improve your fishery and fishing in your pond or lake. A MossBack Fish Habitat recommendation can be implemented over time because the habitat does not deteriorate and lasts a lifetime. Not having enough fish habitat is costly in terms of the quality of fish, the recruitment of new fish, and the fun you miss out on when the fishing is poor.

Do MossBack products need to be weighted to stay in place?

MossBack Fish Habitat products will sink and stay on the bottom of your body of water. However, we recommend that you weight your products especially in moving water. For single products, we have a Block Adapter [a] (not included) allowing you to easily attach a ½ or full concrete block to the bottom of your product. For Laydowns, you can attach a concrete block with the cable provided [b]. For product Kits, please use a concrete block or bag of concrete in the base of the product [c]. The Dock Pro Kits come with cable kits for hanging and do not need to be weighted.Weights graphic

When and where do I utilize “laydowns” in the fish habitat plan for my pond?

Laydowns are single products used in a horizontal position to simulate a tree that has fallen into the water creating habitat for all types of fish.  MossBack products do not decay or add to the silt accumulation in the pond like natural habitat. Fish utilize Laydowns much like vertical structure. In addition, they create “highways” to other desirable areas like shorelines or other fish habitat. Using Laydowns adds diversity to your fish habitat and gives your fish options to travel safely, rest, hide and ambush its prey.

Can I change the limb placement or pattern on my MossBack Fish Habitat products?

Yes! Changing position of the limbs within the trunks can expand the size of the products. Limbs can be moved in or out as desired to change the volume of coverage in our Kits. Limbs can be pulled out further in an alternating pattern to increase coverage for our single habitats. For Laydowns, changing the limb position can give fish the chance to hide under the trunk of the product much like bass hide under a fallen tree. Leave at least 4” of the limbs on one side.Limb placement graphic

What differentiates MossBack Fish Habitat products from other fish habitat?

Compared to Natural Habitat:

  • Unlike natural brush, MossBack Fish Habitat does not deteriorate, therefore it will not increase nutrient loads, turn into detritus, or accumulate as silt.
  • Lures and hooks do not get hung up on limbs causing line breakage or requiring anglers to cut their lines.
  • MossBack Fish Habitat lasts a lifetime, so it does not need to be replaced every few years like natural habitat.
  • MossBack Fish Habitat works well in conjunction with natural habitat and designing specific fish habitat goals for your pond and fishery.
  • MossBack Fish Habitat is much less labor-intensive to acquire and deploy.
  • A South Dakota State University study (An Evidence-based Approach to Habitat Management) showed a significantly higher Largemouth Bass catch rate fishing over MossBack Fish Habitat compared to natural habitat.

Compared to Other Artificial Habitat:

  • MossBack Fish Habitat offers more shade with our patented limb design and shade top.
  • MossBack Fish Habitat’s textured surfaces easily grows Periphyton, (a complex system of algae, bacteria, fungi, microbes,
    and invertebrates), making each structure a living piece of habitat, and becoming a food source for your smaller fish.
  • Our one-of-a-kind V-shaped limb offers two unique features:
    • The V-shape limb promotes the collection of sediment additionally increasing Periphyton growth on the product and feeding your smaller fish.
    • The V-shape limb virtually eliminates angler snagging.
  • MossBack Fish Habitat assembles easily making installation a manageable task.
  • MossBack Fish Habitat’s extensive product line can be customized to reach the goals you have for your pond and/or fishery.
  • Experienced and knowledgeable customer service makes it easy to do business with MossBack Fish Habitat.
  • Studies and observations have shown that when MossBack Fish Habitat is installed fish will often times inhabit and utilize the structures immediately.

Help me understand the difference between single units and Kits of MossBack Fish Habitat products. When do I need single units vs. using Kits (3 or more together)?

Any added fish habitat will improve your fishery and fishing in your pond or lake. The amount of surface area, coverage, volume and shade a Kit produces is more conducive to providing a greater amount of cover for multiple fish.

Trophy Tree Trophy tree XL