Jerk Rig Question
- Thread starter Mike Krei
- Start date
Jon Yenulonis
Well-known member
A lot of guys swear by them.
Personally, I think they're too much trouble for my lazy self.
Back when I thought they were worth thr trouble, I used a heavy anchor below a decoy in the middle of the spread. Then I attached the decoy to the heavy anchor, (can of concrete, with an eye bolt), with a little extra line. Then attach a pull string to the decoy. When you tug repeatedly on the "pull string", the heavy anchor will pull the decoy down and let it bob back up, creating waves and commotion.
Some guys do basically the same thing except they will not attach the "pull line", but instead, will allow it to slip through the eye bolt to the decoy to accomplish the same effect.
Jon
Personally, I think they're too much trouble for my lazy self.
Back when I thought they were worth thr trouble, I used a heavy anchor below a decoy in the middle of the spread. Then I attached the decoy to the heavy anchor, (can of concrete, with an eye bolt), with a little extra line. Then attach a pull string to the decoy. When you tug repeatedly on the "pull string", the heavy anchor will pull the decoy down and let it bob back up, creating waves and commotion.
Some guys do basically the same thing except they will not attach the "pull line", but instead, will allow it to slip through the eye bolt to the decoy to accomplish the same effect.
Jon
Rob Robertson
Active member
I never hunt without my jerk rig.
First off I have used this set up for 30 plus Years. I hunt out of a boat. You will not want to use this set up if Your a walk in hunter.
I use 30 yards of 1/8th inch decoy line. I paint my line to match the bottom I hunt. I always hunt the same area. I use Two 8 pound mushroom boat anchors. I run the line from my blind out to the first anchor. Run the line through this anchor and then tie the line to the second anchor 3 feet away. Clip the decoy to the line between the two anchors. I paint the bottom back half of my jerky decoy white. I always set the rig up so when the line is jerked the decoy tips up to feed and flashes the white bottom down wind. When the ducks are working and down wind of the set I want to use that white to flag the flock. This also makes a splash and ripples. This set up has served me well over the years. Ive killed more ducks using this jerk rig than with the call.
First off I have used this set up for 30 plus Years. I hunt out of a boat. You will not want to use this set up if Your a walk in hunter.
I use 30 yards of 1/8th inch decoy line. I paint my line to match the bottom I hunt. I always hunt the same area. I use Two 8 pound mushroom boat anchors. I run the line from my blind out to the first anchor. Run the line through this anchor and then tie the line to the second anchor 3 feet away. Clip the decoy to the line between the two anchors. I paint the bottom back half of my jerky decoy white. I always set the rig up so when the line is jerked the decoy tips up to feed and flashes the white bottom down wind. When the ducks are working and down wind of the set I want to use that white to flag the flock. This also makes a splash and ripples. This set up has served me well over the years. Ive killed more ducks using this jerk rig than with the call.
We use them all of the time and they are worth their weight in gold.
Anchor(can be a real anchor, stake or tree), snap swivel, a 20' length of 550 cord, a 10' to 20' length of bungee cord, 100' of 550 cord and a handle(I prefer a handheld extension cord keeper so I can roll the whole rig up on it). Have a few decoys rigged with 6" of line and a snap swivel. Tie a few loops in the main line close to the bungee cord to snap the decoys to.
Wade out, place the anchor(can be a real anchor, stake or you can wrap the 20' section around a tree and clip it), start walking back to where you are hunting from while unwinding the line, snap your decoys on the loops that you have tied, walk to the blind while unrolling the rest of the line. Give it a pull every once in awhile. When you are working birds only work it on the wingtips and tails.... just like calling. You can give it short jerks or even swim the decoys.
There are also other veriations as well but for on the move hunting like we do and putting alot of movement on the water this works best for us.
Anchor(can be a real anchor, stake or tree), snap swivel, a 20' length of 550 cord, a 10' to 20' length of bungee cord, 100' of 550 cord and a handle(I prefer a handheld extension cord keeper so I can roll the whole rig up on it). Have a few decoys rigged with 6" of line and a snap swivel. Tie a few loops in the main line close to the bungee cord to snap the decoys to.
Wade out, place the anchor(can be a real anchor, stake or you can wrap the 20' section around a tree and clip it), start walking back to where you are hunting from while unwinding the line, snap your decoys on the loops that you have tied, walk to the blind while unrolling the rest of the line. Give it a pull every once in awhile. When you are working birds only work it on the wingtips and tails.... just like calling. You can give it short jerks or even swim the decoys.
There are also other veriations as well but for on the move hunting like we do and putting alot of movement on the water this works best for us.
fred slyfield
Well-known member
Mike
I use one alot it is deadly on late season widgeon when there is no wind. I use a 20 lb lead anchor . 20 feet of bungee cord with a snap swivel on each end about 4-6 decoys, I paint the bottom of the decoys white so you get that flash as they get jerked around. I just snap the bungee cord to the lead weight and then snap my cord to the end of the bungee.
On my decoys I tie a long line clip tight under the decoy then just snap it to my main line.
Fred
I use one alot it is deadly on late season widgeon when there is no wind. I use a 20 lb lead anchor . 20 feet of bungee cord with a snap swivel on each end about 4-6 decoys, I paint the bottom of the decoys white so you get that flash as they get jerked around. I just snap the bungee cord to the lead weight and then snap my cord to the end of the bungee.
On my decoys I tie a long line clip tight under the decoy then just snap it to my main line.
Fred
CGeminski
Well-known member
I use one, very similar setup to the diagrams above... when I pull on the cord it makes the nose of the decoy dive underwater, very much like a mallard "tipping" to eat off the bottom. It creates motion and ripples on the water and is DEADLY!
I hardly ever use my Mojo-Mallard anymore and I find a jerk rig to be much more effective. I have had birds circling the rig and not committing, then I pull the jerk rig and instantly the ducks cup up and commit. I like to use the feeder call when I am doing this....
I hardly ever use my Mojo-Mallard anymore and I find a jerk rig to be much more effective. I have had birds circling the rig and not committing, then I pull the jerk rig and instantly the ducks cup up and commit. I like to use the feeder call when I am doing this....
I started using one for the first time this season. I was finding motion to be an issue in a lot of places I hunt, and had another issue a few times last year and it's started again this year. A few of my favorite areas to hunt I often have to compete with guys with spinners, and it's become a game to them - i.e. stand around until they here me calling, wait till the ducks are beginning to commit to my spread, then turn their spinner on and pull them. I don't like them myself but I've thought a few times about getting one just for those occasions. Always seem to do just fine without it when I'm alone.
I've approached them about it and they just laugh so I tried a jerk rig, and I've been pretty psyched on it so far. I made mine with a bunjee as well, but I really like Rob's idea with the white flash and I'm going to try the same thing myself - thanks for that idea Rob!
I'm still learning how best to deal with the line and a retriever though - in the river I can wait till downed birds drift out of the decoys but that doesn't work in lakes with no wind or current. Thinking about trying another anchor near the boat to keep the line along the bottom and out of the dog's feet.
I've approached them about it and they just laugh so I tried a jerk rig, and I've been pretty psyched on it so far. I made mine with a bunjee as well, but I really like Rob's idea with the white flash and I'm going to try the same thing myself - thanks for that idea Rob!
I'm still learning how best to deal with the line and a retriever though - in the river I can wait till downed birds drift out of the decoys but that doesn't work in lakes with no wind or current. Thinking about trying another anchor near the boat to keep the line along the bottom and out of the dog's feet.
wendell avery
Active member
Nick, a lot of "hunters" got no class.
Troy Fields
Well-known member
Thanks Rob...I've never hunted with one but you've convinced me to give it a try. Thanks for the diagram too!
Neal Haarberg
Active member
I too use the bungee. I just use a 4lb sash weight then I have a probibly an 6' chunk of bungee and then I used #120 tarred twine. I have 4 decoys that I can attach. I have longline clips tied up tight to the decoys. I like the idea of painting the bottom white. That just went on the to do list before the season opens.
CGeminski
Well-known member
If you want to really get realistic, find some orange legs from an old Mojo mallard and attach them to the bottom of the decoy. I have seen guys use some flexible orange heavy plastic as well, and cut it to the shape of ducks legs.
Between the motion, the white underbelly and the orange legs, it looks very realistic!
Between the motion, the white underbelly and the orange legs, it looks very realistic!
MLBob Furia
Well-known member
Mike,
You might want to look into a "Rig 'em Right" prepackaged jerk line. Comes with everything you need including a nice little carry bag that makes it convenient to leave in the boat, gear bag, or even in a pocket.
You can attach up to 4 decoys. I'll usually go with a single or a pair. This is not a jerk line to make the decoys tip-up, but rather to let them "swim." It allows you to produce a very lifelike swimming movement - as if birds in the decoys are moving around. In turn, it creates a wake that is visible and imparts movement to decoys near the ones on the line. Great in dead calm conditions! Tugging the line to you will start them swimming and when you release the pressure, the elastic cord causes them to turn and "swim" some more.
View attachment jerkcordrig 001 (498 x 535).jpg
View attachment jerkcordrig 002 (600 x 399).jpg
View attachment jerkcordrig 003 (510 x 485).jpg
View attachment Dec1808 012 (600 x 343).jpg
I added the float to make it easier to retrieve the collapsable anchor when I pick up. Float fits into the storage bag as well.
You might want to look into a "Rig 'em Right" prepackaged jerk line. Comes with everything you need including a nice little carry bag that makes it convenient to leave in the boat, gear bag, or even in a pocket.
You can attach up to 4 decoys. I'll usually go with a single or a pair. This is not a jerk line to make the decoys tip-up, but rather to let them "swim." It allows you to produce a very lifelike swimming movement - as if birds in the decoys are moving around. In turn, it creates a wake that is visible and imparts movement to decoys near the ones on the line. Great in dead calm conditions! Tugging the line to you will start them swimming and when you release the pressure, the elastic cord causes them to turn and "swim" some more.
View attachment jerkcordrig 001 (498 x 535).jpg
View attachment jerkcordrig 002 (600 x 399).jpg
View attachment jerkcordrig 003 (510 x 485).jpg
View attachment Dec1808 012 (600 x 343).jpg
I added the float to make it easier to retrieve the collapsable anchor when I pick up. Float fits into the storage bag as well.
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Cody Williams
Well-known member
I second the Rig em Right jerk rig. I looked into putting one of my own together and the Rig em Right basically costs the same as making your own, plus the folding anchor holds just as well as a heavy weight and is much easier to pack around. I really like the idea of painting the bottom of the decoy white, I'll have to try that!
Michael L.
Active member
Basically, we make our own just like the rig'em right. The good thing about this setup is it allows you to run the pull cord on the bottom to be out of the way of the dog. The type they sell with poles keep the pull cord near the top of the water, not conducive to safe dog handling.
Kevin Stupp
Active member
I've hunted with a friend that has a jerk rig, but also has a dog. The rig really seems to work, admittedly we also have spinning wings too.
My question is, what do you do with the line that runs back to the boat, when picking up ducks without a dog?
My question is, what do you do with the line that runs back to the boat, when picking up ducks without a dog?
Neal Haarberg
Active member
What to do when your in a boat with no dog.... good question. We have a small wood block on the end of our jerk srting. It acts as a handle but also if we have to use the boat to get a bird we throw them off to the side and the wood block will float and retrieve them when we get back. or we will have enough extra line to throw the end onto the shore. It is a pain but we do not need to chase down birds with the boat very often. Jerk strings and boats don't work all the well together if you do not have a dog.