Decoy spreads..

[Jordyn Kaufer]

I have about 5 doz malards, 2doz divers, and 2 doz goose deeks. This will be the first year for me hunting over more than 3doz deeks. But im not too sure how to set up my spread now because I have worked hard and bought this amount of deeks. I usually went with like a "V" or a "U" shaped with mallys on one side and divers on the other. WHat are some common spreads or your spreads that are NOT on Rig Em' Rites?

Any input would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks you!

Jordyn

(p.s. Thank you FM for the plethora of info that this site has given me, whether it has been fishing or hunting the members on this site have helped me out greatly. THANKS EVERYONE!)

[slabchaser]

Personally, I think it may be too early to use a 100+ decoy spread but it all depends on the place your hunting. But when it is time for all of the decoys I would think about 3 pods, an hour glass, or the common U.

[Lunker]

I second that you should probably wait on the big spreads. Early season I tend to only use a couple dozen mallards and a few puddlers.

As far as the spread, experiment and try to play the wind. As slabchaser mentioned use the U, hourglass, seperate pods, etc. I've had success with all of the mentioned. I also like using a kind of J hook/pod combo. Regardless of the spread I tend to put my divers farther away than the mallards and towards open water. But as I said, experiment and play the wind. Sometimes if they aren't doing what I predicted I will move dekes around during a hunt to try and get them to go where I want 'em. Sometimes it works....

Or sometimes regardless of what you do all the ducks go land 100 yards from your spread...lol.

[Gordie]

Yes I too agree with it being early for that many decoys.

A spread that I have used that works good is a straight line with the divers then a 10-15 yrd gap then another straight line and the some singles on the out side of the gap then two groups/pods of mallys on the inside of the front line. set up in front of the gap for your shots. this works best with a cross wind

If your hunting divers dont even set out goose decoys as the divers dont seem to care for the geese. At least thats what I have noticed on big water

GOOD LUCK