The "good ole days" continue in coastal Alabama.
Woke up to 40 degrees and steady 20-25 knot wind out of the north. That wind killed hunting the big water down south for redheads so we hunted the upper end of Mobile Bay instead.
The run from the ramp to the grass flats was mostly protected, so it was a pretty smooth ride until we got close to our spot. Pulled off the channel onto the shallow flat and boy it got bumpy.
Found a spot I had previously marked in the summer where I know there is some Vallisneria and anchored the boat bow into the wind, which was now really howling a steady 25kts.
Even though we were only in 2' of water with 6' of anchor line on the decoys, I had to step on the anchors to make sure they held. Had to reset a few wanderers from time to time until I had them all secure. Even with all the wind & chasing decoys, we were all set up at 5:30.
Shooting time was 6:20. At 6:25 a redhead dropped into the decoys. I shot, it dove. Popped up 50 yards out and flew off like I didn't touch it, which I hope was the case.
5 minutes later, a nice drake gaddie drops in to stay.
Another 5 minutes go by and two bluebills buzz the boat and I drop one. At this point, I decide to wake up the boy, who went to sleep after we got the blind set up!
The rest of the morning we had pretty constant action as flocks of rafted up birds lifted up off the open bay to come north to the flats.
We saw tons of gadwalls, 99.9999% of which would approach to about 70 yards and then fly off to go else where. Only got shots at two small groups and didn't cut a feather.
But the bluebills put on the real show. Singles, pairs and small flocks decoys readily. The boy shot great today. And he shot our only greater 'bill too. After we both had out limits of 'bills, we watched them land and then feed in & out of the decoys. Could have easily shot a 6 bird limit of 'bills. Its been years since I have seen bluebills in these numbers on Mobile Bay. It was a very welcome sight to see!
One strange thing is that we did not see a single hen bluebill, out of about 20 the came by, all were drakes. Weird.
Called it quits around 11:00 when the gadwalls seemed to stop flying (not like they were going to decoy anyway). Not many buffies around our spot today, which is unusual. No Cans this time either.
On the way home, the boy & I both agreed on where we will be again tomorrow morning.
Visitors:
View attachment 010216A.jpg
View attachment 010216B.jpg
Money shot:
View attachment 010216C.jpg
Woke up to 40 degrees and steady 20-25 knot wind out of the north. That wind killed hunting the big water down south for redheads so we hunted the upper end of Mobile Bay instead.
The run from the ramp to the grass flats was mostly protected, so it was a pretty smooth ride until we got close to our spot. Pulled off the channel onto the shallow flat and boy it got bumpy.
Found a spot I had previously marked in the summer where I know there is some Vallisneria and anchored the boat bow into the wind, which was now really howling a steady 25kts.
Even though we were only in 2' of water with 6' of anchor line on the decoys, I had to step on the anchors to make sure they held. Had to reset a few wanderers from time to time until I had them all secure. Even with all the wind & chasing decoys, we were all set up at 5:30.
Shooting time was 6:20. At 6:25 a redhead dropped into the decoys. I shot, it dove. Popped up 50 yards out and flew off like I didn't touch it, which I hope was the case.
5 minutes later, a nice drake gaddie drops in to stay.
Another 5 minutes go by and two bluebills buzz the boat and I drop one. At this point, I decide to wake up the boy, who went to sleep after we got the blind set up!
The rest of the morning we had pretty constant action as flocks of rafted up birds lifted up off the open bay to come north to the flats.
We saw tons of gadwalls, 99.9999% of which would approach to about 70 yards and then fly off to go else where. Only got shots at two small groups and didn't cut a feather.
But the bluebills put on the real show. Singles, pairs and small flocks decoys readily. The boy shot great today. And he shot our only greater 'bill too. After we both had out limits of 'bills, we watched them land and then feed in & out of the decoys. Could have easily shot a 6 bird limit of 'bills. Its been years since I have seen bluebills in these numbers on Mobile Bay. It was a very welcome sight to see!
One strange thing is that we did not see a single hen bluebill, out of about 20 the came by, all were drakes. Weird.
Called it quits around 11:00 when the gadwalls seemed to stop flying (not like they were going to decoy anyway). Not many buffies around our spot today, which is unusual. No Cans this time either.
On the way home, the boy & I both agreed on where we will be again tomorrow morning.
Visitors:
View attachment 010216A.jpg
View attachment 010216B.jpg
Money shot:
View attachment 010216C.jpg
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Congrats on a great hunt! Pat