Diver Tactics Q&A Thread

[Gordie]

This is how I set up on Devils lake this year and the birds all tried to set down in front of the long line. This was off of a point and the wind was moving in two directions and I had three lines out just cant see them in the photo the third line is to the right of the shorter line they were about 50 foot lines stagered next to each other and then to the left of the long line on the left I scatterd 3-4 decoys and left a landing zone about 30 ft between them worked like a charm. We were standing on the shore putting brush up for this blind and about a 100 bills buzzed in a set down right next to us. trie d few differnet ways but this seemed to work the best for us.

[fishuhalik]

2 questions for the diver experts out there. First, on a big rice lake up north there's always a huge raft of several thousand ringers. There's also several hundred mallards spread out through the lake.

Question 1 is there such a thing as too long of a line? We usually set up a 200' v with a small groups on both sides of the bottom of the v. Since the lake is only 4' deep would you consider setting out 400'+ lines if you had the dekes?

2nd, do you think spreads that big would scare away puddlers? Or would you set up your ringer v and then set a dozen mallards off to the side?

[Gordie]

I dont think that a line can be to long but I do like to run several shorter lines and pile a bunch of mallard decoys on the side farthest away

for the blind

some of my best mallard shoots were hunting for Divers

[honker23]

I think instead of more length to the line, I would raft up the decoys at the front of the line. Typically we have good luck with a raft of 60-70 dekes with a tail of another 20 or so out 200 feet. It seems like a raft of those little white bobbers is more visible to the ducks. If we put the line too far out the birds end up landing in the line half way to the blind.

[HugoBox]

I think I may have come up with a winner for putting out and taking in longlines. Put out 6 dozen dekes (4 dozen on longlines and 2 dozen individuals) in about 10 minutes. Picked them up in 15. I have 3 lines right now - 1 is about 200' one about 100 and one about 50'.

The main line is 1/4 solid braid that is kept on a cheap $8 extension chord spool - the kind that has a handle on the top and two tubes/legs on the bottom. I used pipe straps to attach the tubes/legs to a 2X6 and then attached the 2X6 to an extra pin from the bottom of a pedastal seat. We have the old style pin pedastals in our boat so it jut sort of worked out. I stacked up two pins and then put the pedastal base with the spool on it in so that the spool was about at elbow height and simply had my partner put the boat in reverse and started dropping the dekes off the bow.

We use the Rig EM right clips and the one challenge with them in the past has been that even with short-ish droppers the clips can get caught together in the bag. I made up some small "necklaces" out of extra anchor rope and clip the dekes to the necklaces when they are not in use. I wore the neckalces while I was setting out. Weh we picked up I paddled around in the Carsten's puddler picking up the individual dekes and in the time it took me to pick up 2 dozen my partner had all 4 dozeon longline birds picked up, back on the necklaces an in the bags.

I'm getting closer and closer to not even bring indivual dekes when I'm hunting big water out of the big boat. I just goatta get past the look of such exact straight lines. I still throw a handful of extras out to give it a bit more shape.

It may sound silly to be excited about simply putting decoys out but I know that there will be at least one cold windy day that I'll be glad I can set and pick up decoys with mittens on!!

If anyone thinks its worth while I can post pictures.

[goblueM]

yeah, post some pictures! That would be great!

I ran a ton of trotlines this summer for research, and my setup sounds similar to yours for putting out diver longlines. It is very nice to be organized and efficient, especially in cold water!

[Gordie]

I tried something new also I anchored then set decoys I started with the back decoys and just let them float out with the wind works great and I use the clips and the 1/4 inch rope also then I move to the next line and anchor up and toss all my singles from the anchored position as well.

[HugoBox]

yeah, post some pictures! That would be great!

I ran a ton of trotlines this summer for research, and my setup sounds similar to yours for putting out diver longlines. It is very nice to be organized and efficient, especially in cold water!

GoBlue-

The top pic is the spool.

The bottom is my decoy "necklace"

[Gordie]

I will have to pic up one of those spools great idea I've been useing a wirefeed welding wire spool and its about used up.

[HugoBox]

I'm not sure how the plastic will hold up in icey conditions but it was $8 so if it breaks I can find a metal one. Also, Home Depot has pop up leaf bags for $15 and they'll hold almost 2 dozen standard dekes. We have a couple of the big Drake popups and they are great but $50 apiece is a bit steep.

[Superduty]

That looks like a great idea Hugobox. I am going to keep that i mind when I finish setting up my boat. RumRiverRat showed me the 12 slot bag method and it has worked great and is very fast to set and pick up. The decoys stay clipped on the main line when put in the bags. I figure $30-40 for a bag is a cheap price to pay for not having to clip decoys for years on end.

[RumRiverRat]

I bet if Hugobox and I raced putting out a dozen decoys it would be too close to call.

The reel method works as good as the 12 slot bag method.

I prefer the slot bag method because of the protection the bags provide the decoys.

With as nice as the paint is on the Avery GHG Oversized Cans, Bluebills and Goldeneyes I want to keep them looking nice.

[HugoBox]

RRR - I have an idea, let's put out 12 dozen and see what happens. I know it didn't work out last timed we tried but there's still a few weeks.

I thought about getting the slotted bags and doing it your way but putting my dekes in a fancy bag would sort be like polishing a turd. I have a dozen home ads burlap blocks I made 20 years ago. They ain't purty but the birds don't care.

[RumRiverRat]

As long as I kill 2 deer on Saturday in WI I will be duck hunting everyday until the close of the season.

I plan on hunting Friday morning.

Deer hunting in WI on Saturday and possibly Sunday then duck hunting Monday through Wednesday. Thanksgiving will be more deer killing and turkey eating.

Friday to Sunday will be Duck hunting.

[RumRiverRat]

Well HB's system is great, but it is almost a 2 man system.

If my ropes were not frozen on Monday mine would have gone into the water quicker.

[Gordie]

I bring my ropes on the wirefeed spool in the house after hunting and they dry out pretty well over night maybe not completely but mine havcent froze up yet,

RRR is that lake froze up yet? was thinking of heading that way in the morning

[RumRiverRat]

If you are talking about that big lake we hunted, yes it is locked up.

Might be some open water after today but not a lot of ducks around.

Sent you a PM.

[HugoBox]

We'll have to try to get out again (most likely next year) but maybe take a bit more time and set up a bit smarter. It was truly the first time I've said, "enough decoys."!! Too bad your "guide" set you up 45 yards east of where we should have been!!

[mpester]

Box - Do you think I will be able to get out to my favorite bad spots on Sunday after I get back from the beach for one last hunt? Try to get out of church or at least tell me where the birds are.

This is the first time in years I have been down here a had the fish bite off the beach. Drum, trout, bluefish, mullet, puffers, sharks. Too bad they are mostly on the small side but it is better than nothing and we are going live bait fishing for king mackerel tomorrow if the wind stops blowing. Try to be free on Sunday for one last duck hunt.

[HugoBox]

I'm skipping church on Sunday I you want to come. Not sure exactly where yet

[mpester]

The two Boxes - Check out the two photos I just put up in the open water forum under "Not a bad day on the ocean" - a 73 pound wahoo and a 31 pound king mackeral.