How would you rig/set up 24 diver dekes?

[troutkingmaster]

Hey guys, last year I bought a dozen ringbill and a dozen bluebill decoys. Right now, I have 14 set up on a long line (100 feet long with a decoy every 5-7 feet) that I would set parallel with the wind and 10 that are loose to throw in a bunch at the end of the line. Does this sound like a decent strategy or should I not even bother with a long line with so few decoys. I am new to diver hunting so when I set up the diver spread last year it looked goofy to a seasoned puddler hunter like me. There weren't many birds around to tell me if they thought it looked OK. I have looked online but most advice related to diver decoy setup involves many more decoys with multiple lines. Thanks.

[luckycrank]

There really arent many divers around yet havent evan broke out any diver deeks yet. all though I here reports of ringers down south all ready. I have been setting decoys in a W with the wind at my back. with decent success leaving Landing lanes. and pockets up front. and a backward hook pattern with a cross wind with the short end of the hook and pocket in front of you.

wind is Important as well as location. then decoy placement 3rd

I hunt over about 8 dozen diver decoys when conditions permit.

other times just a half dozen decoys is all it take. Good shooting!

best advise scout the area prior to hunting see where the birds are and where the are holding on the lake

[kobear]

To each their own but...

I have about the same and like to have the classic comma. A tight pod with the majority of the dekes, the feeding birds, the head of the comma which is upwind of the blind and never downwind.

A few drifters, back from the pod about 20-30 yards, usually 3 dekes some times ganged together with line clipped from the back of one to the front of the next and a extra large weight on the front one. I want a spreader bar for these, that would be sweet. These are right in front of me and closer to shore than the main pod. Often two hens and a drake.

The turning point, a series of 3-6 decoys on a mainline spaced a ways apart (20-30') usually all drakes for extra white. These are 50-150 yards down wind depending on the water type. I got 6 Bull Cans that I use half in the pod and half in the turn point. If these dekes are too tight together birds will land with this group.

Decoying birds will swing down wind, turn and come up over the turning point, edge in and eye the drifters while lining up on the pod, and get hammered before they attempt to land which is a tough shot (on the decoys!). Keeps the birds up in a good shooting position and focuses their eyes beyond the blind on the decoys.

[kobear]

Our bag in Douglas County was 50% divers opener morning 2010.

Backward hook

"the pod" = "the barb"

"the drifters" = "the bend"

"the turning point" = "the eye"

[troutkingmaster]

Thanks guys, so it sounds like I am on the right track anyways. but just to clarify, would you guys leave my 14 on the long line for the "shank of the hook"?

[kobear]

I would take half off the line and add them to the feeding pod, any hens. Even 2-3 way out to get them looking your way then a few to keep them on track can be money on divers.

I would worry if the shank is bigger than the pod they will land with the shank instead of flying over it to a same or smaller pod.

And when they are really in food especially shrimp schools divers will be tight in that pod.