My attempt at decoy carving

[Top Pin Archery]

Just finished my last semester of school last fall so I had a little time to work on some decoys. Here are my first two attempts at decoy carving. They swim awesome, way better than the store bought one's I've been using. I started workin on a 17" pike yesterday, should be ready for paint today if I have time.

[Laska]

How does the perch swim with just the one set of side fins? Don't know if I wanna try it, might make the tail wobble but don't know, great lookin deaks tho, wish mine looked that good when I first started

[Top Pin Archery]

Oops. I just noticed that was not an updated pic. It did have a little up/down bounce to the tail, so I added some little fins to the back which eliminated the problem. The big front fins are curved down a bit which helped a little too. I had no idea what I was doin, but I think i'm slowly getting the hang of it now.

[mrklean]

nice job they look great

[shamalex72]

Nice decoys, especially for your first ones.

Most of the first ones I made were nothing more than a chunk of 1x2, somewhat shaped like a fish. No sanding, just a little shaping with a utility knife. Sheet metal fins nailed to the bottom and in the tail. Then some lead melted in with a torch.

I still have some of my older ones laying around, neat to look at them and see how they have changed over the years.

[Mike89]

awsome keep up the good work!!!

Mike89

[Gordie]

great looking decoys

[merkman]

Very nice!!!

[bassNspear]

nice looing stuff, like the second one alot!

[Top Pin Archery]

Heres one with the pike I just finished.

[bassNspear]

nice looking stuff!!

[Laska]

just wait a year from now n see how many you carve, lol I started last year and now I have more than 20! its mos def a addiction!! great lookin decoys!

[merkman]

You guys are going to get me to carve a decoy yet!!!

[shamalex72]

I bet you can't carve just one.

[bassNspear]

You guys are going to get me to carve a decoy yet!!!

dont do it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!v

[merkman]

I would call it Planky the Perch!!!

[rookie44]

what kind of wood do you guys use?

[Central Bassman]

How long is that pike decoy??

[shamalex72]

what kind of wood do you guys use?

mostly cedar, some pine and basswood.

[Top Pin Archery]

How long is that pike decoy??

The pike ended up being 18.5" long.

[Top Pin Archery]

Originally Posted By: rookie44

what kind of wood do you guys use?

mostly cedar, some pine and basswood.

I use all cedar now. The perch I did was pine.

[Top Pin Archery]

This carving is very addicting. I'm working on a cisco, sucker, and sunny now. I'll have a few dozen in no time!

[bassNspear]

thats awesome top, feel free to post photos!