Carolina Coast & Y-board rig

Kristan

Kristan

Well-known member
I have the opportunity after 20 years of hunting ducks to finally go sea duck hunting...As part of the hunt I am making a Y-board...8' x 2" x 2" foot legs with two 24" x 10" Scoter silos per leg...Is there any reason I just can't paint the silos black and not get fancy with the skunk, whites, or snot nose colors? Or do you guys and gals throwing some white on head and/or yellow on the bill...If there like Bluebills it really doesn't matter...I'm not planning on a masterpiece...What are your suggestions?

My passion is chasing broadbills out of a layout boat but my host will be using a 17" Sea Class TDB...Are there any pointers to Sea Ducks or is just going to be like a never change my stride from a layout hunt to a stand-up Boat hunt? Also I want to shot my o/u with 3" 2s...Only to save money because I have several boxes left over a case of shells...I've been recommended to use BBs but would like to save at every opportunity...I have a 7 hour drive from Fort Wayne, IN to Paducah, KY to see family for a few days then via Paducah, KY to Pamlico Sound...A little under 1300 miles in a 48 hour period....Hope gas stays below $2.00...

Regards,

Kristan
 
I'd put a little color on the sillies. As for the shot, we killed everything with 2's at Suttons a few years back but your host probably knows best for the way he hunts. You will probably set up 20-30 yards from the dekes and shoot crossing shots and incoming,longer shots. It is a real gas when the scoters and Squaws are suicidal.
 
Thanks Rodney...I will try to be safe...

Lee thanks for the input...I am so excited it is killing me...
 
Good luck bud!!!! have fun!!! Stay safe!!!

Sorry we never got linked up to hunt this season...we'll get it done!!
 
First of all, it sounds like your "host" is a complete idiot. If he were worth his salt, he would put the birds well within the decoys where number 2 steel should be MORE than deadly on the scoters.

As for painting the sleds all flat black, I'm sure that would be just fine and I'm just going to take a stab here - but I'm willing to bet that he has a couple of scoter sled rigs himself that he just made that were painted all flat black with truck bed liner paint. He will probably supplement the all flat black sleds with a good mix of cork scoters and Herter's Ultimates that will have the various whites, reds and oranges in their appropriate places. He will probably have no less than 7 dozen scoter decoys in tow. Not to mention the dandy little spread of cork Old Squaws that he is somewhat proud of that will also be deployed.

But what do I know?
 
Been hunting the Pamlico for years and have shot many scoters. 2's will more than do the trick if you do what you are supposed to.If his head is up swat him quick or he will dive and may not come up. I don't envy your shoulder if the shooting is as good as it can be. It's 70 degrees in Greenville today but they are expecting that cold front to get here before too long, so bring your woolies. Will you be going out of Swanquarter or Englehard ?

Hope you have great luck.

Merry Christmas,

Harry

PS I don't think you need to get fancy for scoters (basic black works fine) I know guys that use black painted crab floats and milk jugs to add numbers to their more painted up dekes for sea ducks.

PPS Unleaded was $1.49.9 in Greenville yesterday.
 
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Hi Kristan ! Sound like a great hunt and a new experience for an Indiana hunter.
We live only a few miles from each other and yet we've never met. After you return lets make it a point to get together . We can plan some Sculling hunts for next season.
Have a super time !!! Bob Hayden
 
Kristan,
Shoting eiders in Maine all I've ever used is cheap 3" #2 steel shot.
We stoned birds at longer ranges that I normaly shoot!!
Have a great time,
John
 
Thanks for all those whom replied...As John Espey said I hope this character has enough salt so I can shoot birds with my standard Remington 6s 12 gauge steel shot....
 
Make sure you have your "host" show you his captain's license, do a background check, and make sure he has an up to date CPR card.

You can never be too sure these days..............

When are you coming to KY? We just got a few thousand gifts from the north....

Best,
Steve
 
Kristan, If you fill up your gas tank in Paducah like I did on my way South. you will save money. Just don't eat at Red Lobester. Good luck on your trip.
 
Actually He doesn't have to have a captain's license if he carries less than 6 for pay. You can and should expect him to have a Coat Guard approved boat.

To take advantage of the special Sea duck limits in NC you must be at least 800 yards from shore, otherwise you are more limited and your Sea Ducks will count towards the regular limit for all ducks. If you tend to get sea sick, take some dramamine before you go out and eat some ginger snap cookies as the Pamlico is a shallow sound and can get as rough as gourd guts with just a little wind.

Hope you have a great hunt,

Harry
 
Harry, I believe we are going well over 800 yards off shore...I'm a little ignorant to the sea duck hunting....This limit your speaking of...Does it mean we can shoot our sea ducks off shore over 800 yards and then come in-shore to shoot more birds such as mallards without going over our daily limit on either birds...

Steve...I might be coming in on the 24th...If not the 26th for sure...Plan on hunting the 27th...My birthday...Never a better time to watch a bill fly gracefully around my shot pattern then on my birthday...One bird limit...I just want to shoot towards them not at them...After about 24 shots I will smoke one....
 
Kristan,
Let your host make the decision on shooting more than Sea Ducks. The Pamlico is not exactly famous for mallards but you can shoot 1 Bluebill. Unfortunately you can't shoot cans this year. I don't suspect you will see many puddlers at all. You may see right many Buffies and maybe a GE or two.

If the Sea Ducks fly like they ought to you will have plenty of shooting. Don't forgrt to take your dramamine.

Merry Christmas,

Harry
 
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