I am still learning---common decoy load in the sneak?

T

Tracy Letterman

Member
Well after 7 mornings in the small boat, I am beginning to love it. I feel like I have got the load down to the minimum. After hunting in a 16ft gatortrax for several years its hard to leave all the extras behind. It also seems like I have finally got into a rhythm during the set up. The first few times , it seemed like I was having to do a lot of fiddle fu***ing around getting the spread out, and stuff in place inside the boat in order to hunt out of it.

I was wondering about the numbers of decoys you guys carry in these little boats. I think I have been carrying 4.5 doz. give or take a couple. These numbers sound right to you veteran sneak boaters? Keep in mind most of the time I have a diver rig in the boat.--ringers, cans, and red heads-- total 2+ doz., Puddle duck rig is only 6 gadwall deks. I also carry 2 doz. coots. Looking for A FEW COMMENTS from you TENN. River hunters.


Comfort: I had to go and buy a tempress high back boat seat. It works out well . I can roll it back against the combing and sit in a very low and comfortable reclined position.

I found out that the space under the front deck is not the place to store decoys. I caught hell getting them out of there. I found out that it's only good for dry storage. gun bag, blind bag, jacket. The fuel tank occupies most of the use able space up there.


This boat is awesome as a solo hunting rig and by the time this seasons over ( end of Jan.) I'll get the last couple kinks worked out,--- I am real close now.

Merry Christmas to all!
 
Tracy,

I have a zack taylor wigeon style boat. I have my gas can under the back deck( 3 gal) . I then put an additional 3 dekes back in there.

Next I put 2 doz dekes in slotted bags . This works out well as my seat goes over them and they are out of the way. I put my gear bag in front of those and tight to one side.

I do stuff the bow with about 5 magnum dekes. Never have too much trouble getting them out. In front of them I have 2 more slotted deke bags. My gun is in a floating gun case across the front and back dekes , tight to the side opposite the gear bag.

All dekes in the bags in the boat are standard size . I then carry 2-3 doz magnums in slotted bags on the front deck, strapped down. Sometimes I carry 2 regular decoy bags of goose decoys intead of the magnums.

I throw the 2 doz decoys from the bags at front inside of the boat first to give me room to work. Then teh ones from the deck. Finally the dekes from the rear bags and under the two decks.

Pick up is pretty much reverse. This is my "layout" hunting set up and it gets me 7.5-8.5 doz dekes.

baumy
 
Thanks Dave: I went to the slotted bags for all my white paint on the divers. I think I am going to add another small bag of loose coots and strap that jewel up there on the front deck. I have a couple of 50 foot long lines with about 10-12 coots on each, in there all ready.
 
Sounds like you got it going on Tracey.Shouldn't need more dekes than that.I hunt a MLB Wigeon with a 6hp 2cyl evinrude at 47lbs,my 31/2 gal gas tank under the fore deck on the port side,shallow tub w/lead LL anchors under on starboard side.2doz baged magnum decoys on fore deck and one doz in two bags on stern.I'm sure I could manage a couple dozen more,but first,let's find the ducks!My LL pan is under the stern,oars and paddle on port side and gun on starboard.Cockpit floor is open,to stand and move around.I have a 30" tiller extension,but a 4' one would be better.Haven't wet a decoy yet.Hope the recent weather up north,pushes them down
 
all my dekes are on the bow of my BBSB, I have racks up front. Bungee from the front to the spray shield keeps em in place
 
Tracy,
I keep all my decoys in slotted bags, it makes the set up and pick up routine easier. I bungee two dozen coots on the front deck and another three dozen divers sit in their bags in the cockpit. I run a bungee over the top of the stack of bags to keep everything in place. I keep my dry bag and bow anchor up under the front deck. My oars, gun, extendable decoy hook pole, machete and so forth sit under the combing overhang. Under the opposite overhang I store my rolled up netting. My tool box, stern anchor and gas can are up under the rear deck. I have a tiller extension, also. When I am setting up goose decoys I can carry 10 on the front deck and a dozen Big Foot floaters in the cockpit. I will also carry a dozen goose silhouettes and a dozen mallard shells to set up on the sand bar. The silhouettes and the mallard shells go up under the fore deck. I push the whole thing around with a Nissan 5hp. I could put more motor back there but I am in no hurry and the little Nissan is a pleasure to move on and off the transom.
 
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Wow! The small motors are able to push these loads. I am just flat amazed how my black jack handles. Its stable enough to stand up and and move around. Their is a 25 hp Johnson on it. Dang thing is fast enough to get you in trouble running around in the dark. Loaded ,I know its still running 27-28mph flat out.

I am heading back out this weekend. We are spending Christmas in bama and I will get to run the little boat for another 7 days. The stealth aspect of the sneak boat has exceeded my expectations.

Good luck to all of you that are still hunting
Merry Christmas to all!
 
Tracy

Sounds like you are becoming a full fledged sneak boater.

When I ran my AA Broadbill I lashed the decoys in a bag on the front deck. It worked well but you have to make sure it's secure and lashed tight or a rogue wave will sweep the bag off at 0 dark thirty and you'll have to battle current and waves in the middle of the nav channel to recover them. Don't ask me how I know that.
 
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