Cam Withers
Member
This is my first year hunting large open water. I recently bought some blue bill decoys to use. I know there is a certain way to rig them unlike usual decoys. Does anyone know how to rig them or have a diagram that they can share.
Rigging Blue Bill Decoys?
- Thread starter Cam Withers
- Start date
Lee Harker
Well-known member
Are you going to "longline" them or use individual weights? Check out the info section on the Mighty Layout Boys site, there is a ton of ideas and diagrams there.
Cam Withers
Member
long line is what i have been told.
ksherbine
Active member
Cameron-
I think you're talking about Longlines. This is mainly to save time when putting out the large number of decoys usually used for diver hunting.
Lou Tisch at Lock Stock and Barrel has a great reference article and drawing on this. Here's the site:
http://lockstockbarrell.com/doc/DHBP-DEKE-SET-Lou.pdf
The main way to set up longlines is to have a heavy "main line" with loops every 6-12 feet apart, then your decoys attached to these loops with dropper lines.
If you just have a couple dozen bluebills, you can probably get by with one longline and then the other's attached to single lines, or all of them attached to single lines. A lot of times when we just have 3-4 dozen decoys we'll basically make a big "blob" of divers and puddlers with single lines, then have a longline with a dozen or so decoys on it going out into the lake into the wind to guide any ducks coming up the lake into our spread. It works very well.
We sell the everything you need for longlining at our sneakbox site at http://www.classicbarnegat.com/other%20products-decoy%20rigging%20flocking.htm
There's also a more in depth description of how to rig, use, and store the decoys on longlines.
Good luck, and let me know if you have any other questions.
Kirk Sherbine
I think you're talking about Longlines. This is mainly to save time when putting out the large number of decoys usually used for diver hunting.
Lou Tisch at Lock Stock and Barrel has a great reference article and drawing on this. Here's the site:
http://lockstockbarrell.com/doc/DHBP-DEKE-SET-Lou.pdf
The main way to set up longlines is to have a heavy "main line" with loops every 6-12 feet apart, then your decoys attached to these loops with dropper lines.
If you just have a couple dozen bluebills, you can probably get by with one longline and then the other's attached to single lines, or all of them attached to single lines. A lot of times when we just have 3-4 dozen decoys we'll basically make a big "blob" of divers and puddlers with single lines, then have a longline with a dozen or so decoys on it going out into the lake into the wind to guide any ducks coming up the lake into our spread. It works very well.
We sell the everything you need for longlining at our sneakbox site at http://www.classicbarnegat.com/other%20products-decoy%20rigging%20flocking.htm
There's also a more in depth description of how to rig, use, and store the decoys on longlines.
Good luck, and let me know if you have any other questions.
Kirk Sherbine
Charlie S and Titan
Well-known member
I use the longline method.
I have long tarred lines with brass dog snaps on the end that I store on an electrical cord roll (like a big fish reel). My decoys have "droppers" about 3' long with "longline clips" on the end. When I deploy it, I connect sash weights to one end, drop it to the bottom, drift out and attach decoys every so often, then when I get near the other end, attach more longline weights (or add another longline).
Picking it up is the reverse of that, pick up one end, put the weights in a 5 gal pail, one person reels the line in, the other person unclips the decoys and puts them in collapsible barrels.
I learned this setup here on this site and I am a rookie. More experienced folks have better ways of doing it.
Thanks,
Charlie
PS. In addition to Kirk's business, Doctari sells them. I bought a lot of my stuff from them getting started. Although, if you assemble the bits yourself in bulk, you can save a few bucks. It is mostly just commercial fisheries gear.
I have long tarred lines with brass dog snaps on the end that I store on an electrical cord roll (like a big fish reel). My decoys have "droppers" about 3' long with "longline clips" on the end. When I deploy it, I connect sash weights to one end, drop it to the bottom, drift out and attach decoys every so often, then when I get near the other end, attach more longline weights (or add another longline).
Picking it up is the reverse of that, pick up one end, put the weights in a 5 gal pail, one person reels the line in, the other person unclips the decoys and puts them in collapsible barrels.
I learned this setup here on this site and I am a rookie. More experienced folks have better ways of doing it.
Thanks,
Charlie
PS. In addition to Kirk's business, Doctari sells them. I bought a lot of my stuff from them getting started. Although, if you assemble the bits yourself in bulk, you can save a few bucks. It is mostly just commercial fisheries gear.
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How to rig them depends on a couple of things:
1. How deep of water will you be in? We hunt Mobile Bay, where a mile from shore, we're sometimes in only 1' of water. Single lines work fine for us. If you are in 3'-10' of water, then longlines are definately a better option.
2. How many decoys are you deploying? I use 6-8 dzn but it's a mix of coots, divers and gadwalls. So we still use single lines so we can change up the spread as needed depending on what we are seeing that day. If you are strictly diver hunting, even with only 4 dzn dekes, longlines are easier since you will be deploying them basically in straight lines anyway.
3. Are you hunting just divers or divers & puddlers from the same spread? See No. 2.
Here's a few spreads I use for open waterThat work great for us. Our main targets are divers ('bills, buffies, redheads, cans & ringers) & gadwalls with a smattering of pintails, wigeon, spoonies and teal mixed in to keep it interesting.
[inline XBoatSpread.JPG ]
1. How deep of water will you be in? We hunt Mobile Bay, where a mile from shore, we're sometimes in only 1' of water. Single lines work fine for us. If you are in 3'-10' of water, then longlines are definately a better option.
2. How many decoys are you deploying? I use 6-8 dzn but it's a mix of coots, divers and gadwalls. So we still use single lines so we can change up the spread as needed depending on what we are seeing that day. If you are strictly diver hunting, even with only 4 dzn dekes, longlines are easier since you will be deploying them basically in straight lines anyway.
3. Are you hunting just divers or divers & puddlers from the same spread? See No. 2.
Here's a few spreads I use for open waterThat work great for us. Our main targets are divers ('bills, buffies, redheads, cans & ringers) & gadwalls with a smattering of pintails, wigeon, spoonies and teal mixed in to keep it interesting.
[inline XBoatSpread.JPG ]
Gene Jr.
Well-known member
I agree with all the replies so far, longline them. The longlines are easy enough to make your self or buy the premade lines. If you hunt alone and are short on time when setting dekes (who isn't?) I'd suggest leaving them on the line and storing in boxes or decoy bags with individual pockets. They deploy slick as can be. Drop one anchor and hand over hand the line out, run the boat to where you want the other end and drop that anchor. If you plan on relocating during the day be very carefull when pulling in the lines and putting them away. If you are planning on hunting another day and just want to get home to clean birds, pull the lines into the boat any old way and straighten them out in the driveway, yard or dock another time. Much easier than on the boat.
Since I hunt alone mostly, I seldom use individually rigged decoys anymore. When the wind kicks up it can be a bear to pull all those individual dekes from a boat getting blown all over the place and rocked by waves.
Welcome to diver hunting! I'm sure you'll love it.
Gene
Since I hunt alone mostly, I seldom use individually rigged decoys anymore. When the wind kicks up it can be a bear to pull all those individual dekes from a boat getting blown all over the place and rocked by waves.
Welcome to diver hunting! I'm sure you'll love it.
Gene
Cam Withers
Member
Carl,
Are the diagrams you sent for longline use and do you add individual dekes to the spread. The diagram looks like they are spread out a good bit? I'm also still not sure of how the dekes are attached to the "mother line". Does each decoy have and individual weight or not? Sorry, i'm a visual learner.
Thanks,
Cam
Are the diagrams you sent for longline use and do you add individual dekes to the spread. The diagram looks like they are spread out a good bit? I'm also still not sure of how the dekes are attached to the "mother line". Does each decoy have and individual weight or not? Sorry, i'm a visual learner.
Thanks,
Cam
Charlie S and Titan
Well-known member
Carl rigs them individually (not longlines).
Look here for some pictures of longline "parts". http://www.doctarilonglines.com/products.html
Charlie
Look here for some pictures of longline "parts". http://www.doctarilonglines.com/products.html
Charlie
Cam Withers
Member
That helps to lay my eyes on something.
Thanks,
Cam
Thanks,
Cam
ksherbine
Active member
Cam-
On longlines there's only 2 anchors, one at each line of a long line, roughly 140-200' long. For example, ours are standardly rigged up as follows:
5# Anchor
15' until first decoy loop (depth of our water roughly)
1st decoy loop with 36" dropper clipped from decoy to loop (this keeps mainline off of surface for dogs and boat props)
2nd decoy loop with 36" dropper clipped form decoy to loop
etc.
etc.
etc
etc....... until you're done with your dozen decoys
then 15' of anchor line attached to heavy anchor.
It's basically just a long line with a heavy anchor at each end, 12 or so loops in it, and decoys clipped to the loops with a 36" line tied to the decoy then with a clip at the end clipped to the loop on the longline.
Read that link to the Lock Stock and Barrel site. It explains it in greater detail as well.
Kirk
On longlines there's only 2 anchors, one at each line of a long line, roughly 140-200' long. For example, ours are standardly rigged up as follows:
5# Anchor
15' until first decoy loop (depth of our water roughly)
1st decoy loop with 36" dropper clipped from decoy to loop (this keeps mainline off of surface for dogs and boat props)
2nd decoy loop with 36" dropper clipped form decoy to loop
etc.
etc.
etc
etc....... until you're done with your dozen decoys
then 15' of anchor line attached to heavy anchor.
It's basically just a long line with a heavy anchor at each end, 12 or so loops in it, and decoys clipped to the loops with a 36" line tied to the decoy then with a clip at the end clipped to the loop on the longline.
Read that link to the Lock Stock and Barrel site. It explains it in greater detail as well.
Kirk
Charlie S and Titan
Well-known member
Some of don't use loops. That way you can place the longline clip anywhere on the line. When you hunt various water depths, you want the flexibility to change the position of the dekes. And if it is really deep or there is a ripping tide, you might want to clip a couple together to handle the water depth and put the dekes in the middle spanning the clips that connect the lines in the middle.
Charlie
Charlie
Cam Withers
Member
Thanks for the detailed explanation. I think i've got the general idea. I may be back though.
Cam
Cam Withers
Member
I prefer to make my own gear if I can but I understand my limits. Is it best to make your own or buy pre-made gear.
Longlines are easy to make yourself, no need to buy pre-made. Just get the right size/type of line (the irght diameter is important to prevent tangles) & cut it to length. There are a number of places to buy clips in bulk at a discount. Tie the clips to 3-4' droppers and tie the other end of the dropper to you decoys. Get some anchors and you are in business.
Charlie S and Titan
Well-known member
Making them is not difficult if you can tie a bowline knot. It is all commercial fisheries gear.
Not sure where you are, but if you are near the coast, then you may have local access to a supplier.
If not, you may have to mailorder or web order parts - I think I got my first set of clips from atagulf online (http://www.atagulf.com/). Just be aware that you are buying bulk - 100 clips, full roll of tarred line, etc.
The vendors give you convenience and the flexibility to order in small quantities.
Charlie
Not sure where you are, but if you are near the coast, then you may have local access to a supplier.
If not, you may have to mailorder or web order parts - I think I got my first set of clips from atagulf online (http://www.atagulf.com/). Just be aware that you are buying bulk - 100 clips, full roll of tarred line, etc.
The vendors give you convenience and the flexibility to order in small quantities.
Charlie
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Cam Withers
Member
I'm an hour away from the coast so I shouldn't have any trouble getting that. I have access to a house 500 yards from where the Neuse River empties into the Pamlico Sound in NC. This includes accommodations, personal boat ramp, fishhouse and marina all within 1/8 mile anytime I want for free. Good digs huh!
