Decoy sets for divers

[IceHawk]

Here is a answer to a question asked in another post.

There are many sets that work for decoying divers. Many diver hunters run V-patterns and run straight lines. I prefer to run J-hooks or fish-hook set-ups.

The main thing with decoying divers is you want to give them 2 impressions. One is there's food down in the deep, second is that there is a safe place to land when they make a pass over the spread.

The standard J-hook set

For this set-up I will first run a large string of decoys for the line. These decoys are gang hooked by running snap swivels and 2 ft lines to each of the decoys. The lead bird and the end bird are anchored heavy and the rest float in between. I usally extend the shank out about 100 yds or so with the decoys set more sparsley at the far end( 3-5 ft spaceing). These decoys are attractors that draw fast flying birds to the bend. In the bend of the hook I form a cluster of decoys, these are usally set on solo strings and weights. The idea of the cluster is to imitate feeding divers. Diver ducks tend to knot up when there feeding. I usally try to set up on the point of the hook if possible to get the best shots at the birds that try to land in the bend.

[Guest]

I do pretty much the same thing, but I do not anchor the far end of the line. This way, no mater which way the wind blows, the line will always be down wind and much more natural looking. And it beats having to go out and adjust the line when the wind switches.

If it's calm out, then I will use a second anchor.

[chefjim]

have you ever tried the j-hook for late season mallards when they are raft up in the middle of big lakes.

[Guest]

Yea, and it's deadly, but better yet, you need to put out A LOT of dekes to get their attention. We've competed with 30k plus flocks before and have done well, in fact limiting out most of the time. It just comes down to putting out as many dekes as you possibly can and hope to get singles and doubles to commit to you instead of the raft.

[Sartell Angler]

exactly what Tom Herman said-- you can't really hope to bring in big flocks, but if you sit out there long enough and have enough dekes out then you should have success with the singles / doubles. Late season this year, we were competing with several very large flocks, but every half hour or so a big greenhead would be flying upriver and would dump into our spread...ended up with 9 greenheads, 2 suzies, and 2 buffies. Was a pretty fun day.

SA/wdw

[MattKeller]

OR...

Hunt the fields for the mallards.

Then you can decoy flocks of 1000+++ with 1 spinner.

I would have never believed it a couple years back but now I'm sold out for field hunting the mals.

[chefjim]

i have never field for mallards have shot some while goose hunting

i am always ready to try i am having trouble finding water to hunt near rochester so may be field hunting next year

[simcox282]

Started doing it this year ---- using swan decoys--a couple out over yonder. Worked like a charm. I am getting a couple more of them---it is a little odd but think about it a big white truck --everything notices them. They tear up the bottom and the coots and the divers follow.

[koWALLEYEski]

These are all really good ideas for divers. About the mallards. We typically use 2-3 spinner decoys. These things are deadly. Put a couple hundred averys out with mixed bag of mallard decs with couple spinners in a flooded corn field.....all i can say is WOW...better bring a case of shells

[chefjim]

I have always thought the swan decoys would make great confidence decoys. I am planning to order a dozen seagull decoys to throw in with the coots this fall

[guy100]

About divers. I do most of my hunting around Sherburne county,and always had the itch to hunt divers around here. I have plenty of decoys just never a good spot to put them. Anyways I was wondering if anyone knew of a good spot to go around here. Not looking for anyones "hotspot" but just a general area to start scouting. i do have a boat and all the neccessary equipment to hunt them as well. PM me or reply on here if you have any suggestions. Thanks

[chefjim]

guy

i recently moved here so am having the same problem all the gear and not sure where to hunt. If I here of a spot I will let you know.

jim

[IceHawk]

As for areas to hunt divers. I personally hunt smaller lakes that contain freshwater shrimp. Shrimp are a big forage base for divers. If you have a slough or lake that contains them you more than likely will have a good diver shoot. Osakis in my area is a real good diver lake.

Some of the bigger lakes in Mn are known for good Diver-Hunitng. Leech,Winnie,Cass,Millacs,Osakis,and Lake of the woods. Also rivers like the Miss,Sauk etc can yield excellent diver hunts. These big water hunts can be dangerous. The best hunts happen late in the year when the weather is nasty. Haveing the proper equipment and useing good judgement will lead to a safe and succesfull hunt.

[mr wizard]

Quote:

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I have always thought the swan decoys would make great confidence decoys. I am planning to order a dozen seagull decoys to throw in with the coots this fall

---

I have been using 6-7 magnum snows with my diver spread for a couple of years. Works real nice! I hunt the big water, 8000+ acres, and you can see those snows from a half a mile away with or without the sun. Gets the divers attention plus we had two groups of swans land in the spread. Awesome to have 12 B-52's come over at 20 feet high and cicle in.

[mr wizard]

Quote:

---

I have always thought the swan decoys would make great confidence decoys. I am planning to order a dozen seagull decoys to throw in with the coots this fall

---

I have been using 6-7 magnum snows with my diver spread for a couple of years. Works real nice! I hunt the big water, 8000+ acres, and you can see those snows from a half a mile away with or without the sun. Gets the divers attention plus we had two groups of swans land in the spread. Awesome to have 12 B-52's come over at 20 feet high and circle in.

[mr wizard]

sorry for the double post,spelling error,didn't see edit