Decoys

[Guest]

I'm going to get a diver decoy setup for the larger slougs and lakes and i was wondering if anybody had any sugestions for what kinds of decoys and how many are needed for this kind of setup?

[Guest]

Herters Mags!!

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If I'm not in the duck blind or the ice house I'm thinking about it!!......maybe thats why I can't pay attention in class!

[GullGuide]

Well,
If you have a lot of money to throw out there I would agree with the Herters...But, If you are just putting a spread together, I would go with carry-lite magnum weighted keel bluebills, and throw in some redheads and cans for color. You can get twice the decoys for what you'll pay for Herters and they weigh half as much too.
I'd stay away from flambeau, they look like coots in my opinion. I'd also try to look for used dekes for sale in papers, auctions or even on hsolist. For divers they really do not need to be perfectly colored dekes. A little grey and white spray paint on the sides is all the touch-up you need for used diver dekes.
Good luck

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Gull Guide Service
fishingminnesota.com/gullguide
Brainerd-Mille Lacs-Willmar
Bemidji-Ottertail

[Bryce]

Can't beat Can's for visibility. I throw in a half dozen with 4 dozen bluebills and red heads on good sized water and it works well. Most don't set the tail out near far enough. Start at 60 yards and if the birds are landing short, keep extending. Easiest to have some standby decoys in the boat instead of fighting the wind trying to pull them out of the hook. Don't forget to swing that barrel. out.

[Guest]

How many dekes you looking to buy? Amen to the Flambeau thing, Gull. But you really can't beat their puddler decoys I think.

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If I'm not in the duck blind or the ice house I'm thinking about it!!......maybe thats why I can't pay attention in class!

[Guest]

I was planing to get about 2 to 3 dozen decoys. But should I keep them all to one kind or have a mixed bunch? I don't need the best decoys out there but I want somthing decent.

[GullGuide]

With divers it really does not matter. My grandfather used to tell of the time he threw chunks of wood out onto the ice and had an awesome shoot. Some even use bleach bottles or 2 liter bottles painted black mixed in with normal dekes to create a larger spread. So, having all one type of deke in your spread in not a necessity.

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>"////=<
Gull Guide Service
fishingminnesota.com/gullguide
Brainerd-Mille Lacs-Willmar
Bemidji-Ottertail

[Duck-o-holic]

top--

To add to what's been posted...

Divers aren't the smartest birds-- so dekes don't need to be the most detailed. I would, however, recommend mags, or supermags for greater visibility. If getting 3 dozen, I'd at least get a dozen mags and the rest standard if you are looking to save some money. I'd even suggest sticking with your basic bluebills right away, and gradually adding your "other" species. If you pick up a dozen or so a year after your basic rig, it doesn't hurt the pocketbook so much, and after several years you can amass quite a setup!

I do a lot of custom painting of my blocks. Have made Goldeneyes, Cans, Redheads, and Buffleheads out of the standard bluebill deke. I also add more white to my drake bills for better visibility. Keep your eye out for sales before season, and ALWAYS scour the bigger stores for clearance dekes right before season ends... cuz they don't last long at the reduced prices! You might want to consider G&H dekes at this time of year because they are a bit spendier at normal price. These blocks are nice in that they have swivel heads, and have three sizes to choose from. Great paint on them as well (Carry-Lite's seem to lose paint the easiest).

Good Luck (and Gunnin')

Duck-o-holic

[Guest]

Yes I would also stay away from the Carry-lites!! I have 3 Dozen mallards and they haven't been used for a couple years because they look like black plastic ducks, because all of the paint wore off. If any discovers a plain black shiny duck let me know! Cause I have the stool for them!

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Get wet, get muddy, get birds!

[GullGuide]

Carry-lite makes 2 types of dekes..their "best buy" dekes do loose thier paint pretty fast, but their normal dekes hold up pretty well. I have 4 doz bill dekes I bought back in the early 90's and they still look almost new.

[Guest]

Yes mine are the "best buy" dekes. I ahve also heard of people that have the nice ones that have had problems with them....I don't know though. Although they do look very nice I must admit. Paintin up my scuffed ones right now...got a long way too go! I have to paint so many decoys! Oh well it will pay off.

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Get wet, get muddy, get birds!