Gunnel decoy bags

Nick Zito

Nick Zito

Active member
I know this is a subject that comes up a lot, but I'm actually looking to see if anyone has these bags that are mounted to their BLIND, not the gunnels.

I've found it's a hell of a lot easier to run (and trailer) my DW15 with the blind permanently up. It saves me a hell of a lot of time getting out there and keeps the spray off of me. Harder to get in and out of but that's not a problem really.

The real issue is that the shelving does hold enough of the crap that I have, and whoever is in the front with me is either getting tangled up, yelled at, or yelling at me about the decoys all over the place. I've skimmed the search function and seen the debates over who's bags and whatever, but I'm curious if anyone has a system to attach them to the blind sides for getting out to your spot, and then pulling them inside for hunting. I could see them hanging with some plumbers PVC support hooks upside down and hooked to the horizontal metal of the DW15 or TDB style blinds, or maybe into the grass webbing (though it's all filled with grass).

Just curious what others may have done.
 
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Have you considered using Toro leaf bags (20-23 oversize decoys per bag), which collapse into a flat disc about three inches high that can be stored on its/there sides? The downside of decoy bags that hang in series anywhere, be it interior or exterior gunnels, etc. is that they hang open and take up room, as well as attempting to snag-up on anything passing by.
 
Why don,t you try carrying on front deck if bagged already. Simple small suv cargo net available usually in walmart automotive secured to what ever tie off points available over them for safe keeping.
 
The leaf bags would still chew up space on the floor, which is the primary issue. Storing them on the bow seems better but may be more difficult to keep them secure unless using a cargo net like Roy suggested. Once the decoys are out it's not a problem, it's just coming and going that it becomes and issue.
 
Nick~


I always lashed any decoys bags that could not fit within the cockpit on the foredeck - for the voyage to and from my gunning spot. I simply used my bow painter and secured it and refore the bags to my foredeck cleat - which is just ahead of the spray dodger.



One thing to consider, though, is wild weather. Could a big sea come over the bow - or sides with gunnel bags - and fill the bags? If so, there could be a dangerous amount of additional weight up relatively high - and so make your vessel unstable. Probably a rare situation - but worth keeping in the back of your mind.


All the best,


SJS

 
Nick, in a fifteen foot boat, gunnel mounted bags would likely enable you to carry about a dozen decoys per side; the contents of ONE leaf bag.
 
A friend of mine has a 14 tdb classic. He had hangers made out of aluminum. They hang on the top rail of the blind and then hangs standard 12 slot decoy bags from their carry handles. This is particularly convenient for him because he uses this boat both for puddle and diver hunting. With this set up he doesn?t have to change out the decoys from the bag or the shelf. He has his decoys already in bags and just hangs whichever decoys he wants for the hunt on his boat at the ramp. The other decoys stay locked in the bed of his truck. This makes it easy for him to puddle duck hunt the morning and chase divers in the afternoon
 
Nick Zito said:
Will this is exactly what I do. Went out today just like this. Was my first solo hunt in the new boat. Setting long lines isn't so fun by yourself, but it still works.
Click to expand...

Looks like a great day, you must have done something right. Lol.
I see eider, scoter, bufflehead, and a black duck?
Nice!
 
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