Mallard Floaters

[Kyle]

Looking to get 2 doz mallard floaters. Those Avery hot buys are pretty good decoys for about as cheap as they come. Anyone have any other preferences that a guy won't have to pay an arm and a leg for? Seems floating decoys paint always seems to come off after throwing into a wet bag constantly.

[walleyeking19]

I have the hot buys and they work good for what i need them for. I dont like spending lots of money on floaters cause they get so beat up, so i buy the ones that are reasonably priced. Just not worth the investment like full bodies are

[Kettle]

Greenhead gear, I picked up a dozen this year and they look sharp. I'm getting to the point of buying some more higher end ones and going to slot decoy bags, my deks hit the water nearly 40 times a year and haven't found any that can go more than two seasons

Kettle

[Shane Z]

Love my Dakota's!, yeah they are a little more than the average decoy but you'll be happy you bought them, All drakes come with realistic flocked heads (not lime green heads) and the hens looks amazing. I don't use slotted bags, i toss'em around when it's warm out and when the lakes are almost locked tight. We'll worth the money

[dan z]

Green head gear pro grades got my attention for the last purchase and they have stood up well. I have 2 boxes of actives and one box of the January actives also. They have been in slotted bags there whole life. It saves there paint and I actually like that there organized very well.

No decoys will last like old Herters or g&h but there getting hard to get and Spendy!

[rbs]

I really like my Dakotas also, they are worth the extra money. I also use a 12 slot bag from Rogers...works great!

[onthefly]

The GHG pro grades look very good to me. I don't like Dakotas... Never used em but they just don't look realistic to me.

Tough part is, typically you buy decoys for you not the ducks... I wouldn't over think it too much. Seems like if birds are gonna decoy, they're gonna decoy. If not, you could have all custom, hand painted one of a kind decoys and it wouldn't matter. No replacement for finding and setting up on the X.

Most effective is probably a bunch of black and whites with hen mallard dekes thrown in!

[Kyle]

onthefly,

You read my mind. I would love to have some dakotas, but I just don't think anyone kills more ducks solely because of that decoy...

I do like the look of the GHG pro grades though. Maybe I'll do a little mix n match.

[onthefly]

I'd invest in jerk cords before super premium mallard dekes. Motion had been the difference for me several times.

[Feathers Rainin]

The hotbuys usually have really bad paint on them. If you decide to go with them I would check the paint with your fingernail before leaving the store. The progrades hold up well and look great. The dakotas look awesome but cost some coin. I have some G&H that have held up real well too.

[Walleye Guy]

The Hot Buys and the low end GHG both have less than durable paint. Buy a can of clear, matte spray paint and spray the decoys before you use them. Put on a couple coats. It makes a world of difference in the paint durability. I did this last year to a dozen of each and they made it through the season in great shape.