Long line sets for divers

[jimbow]

Decided to rig a few long-lines for deep water diver sets this season so I have a back-up plan when the mallards aren't around.  Ordered two sets of lines w/ 36" droppers from on-line and just looking for suggestions from experienced diver hunters on the best way to attach the dekes, anchors, etc.

[270Shooter]

How long are the lines? We've always used like 5 pound anchors on each end you'll have to adjust them to get the right amount of slack in them, also watch the river levels as the Columbia can fluctuate a lot (if that's where you're hunting). They are deadly on divers for sure, usually set up to lines parallel to the bank and made two lines for the birds to target when they come in. They are much faster to pick up when hunting deep water instead of using individual lines on each decoy.

[jimbow]

2 lines that are 90 ft long.  I figure a dozen decoys per line.  I've read that some guys use down-rigger balls for the anchors.

[bknilvr00]

I made my own weights by pouring lead into a soda can and inserting a bent I-Bolt into the molten lead. Each one weighs about 3-4 pounds. Havent had any issues with rolling along the bottom or anything like that. Super happy with them, however, I plan to make another set and paint them hi viz orange. Ive lost a couple in retrievable water but cant see them due to the color.

[Brad Harshman]

We run long lines as well.  We filled large soda cans with concrete. Put either short chain or eyebolts in the wet cement.  Whatever we scrounged up for super cheap or free.  Downrigger balls are way too expensive to loose.

Diver hunting is such a great experience.  It will test your wing shooting capabilities.  I find 3.5" shells provides a longer shot shell string.  Giving you a slight advantage when pass shooting.

[Tealer]

I run three sets of lines. 120' 90' and 50'. I use the 50's for extensions. I run 24" droppers with the biggest clips you can find. 400 pound mono and crimps to attach them. For leads I use 10 pound drift boat anchors, and a couple homemade pineapple cans fill with lead.


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[sakoshooter]

My opinion of dropper lines off the decoys onto a main line is this: Too much line to tangle with no benefit to my knowledge. I run lines with 6 decoys each and a single anchor of about 3 lbs. I can easily set two strings end to end with a little gap to look like one big string but is much safer for the dog.
I once had my older lab dragging two strings of 12 decoys each with heavy anchors - that's 24 decoys and lead weights. Way too much for the dog especially in heavy chop or current.
Current, tide etc will pull your line tight including the dropper lines allowing the dog to tangle up in them. Might as well leave off the droppper lines under these conditions. I also only tie my decoys at the front tie point so they'll swim side to side individually.
If you're not going to use a dog, long lines are easier to set and pick up.

[lokidog]

I just rigged two long lines for my tidal setup.  I used some old fishing gang lines that my grandfather used 20+ years ago.  They have swivels every five feet.  I rigged another swivel for a 2 1/2 foot spacing and just hooked the swivels to the front hole on my decoys, seemed to work well last week with no dropper lines off the decoys.

[Brad Harshman]

I use droppers, they are way safer for the dog.  She can swim freely between the decoyscand over the lines. Also I can run the boat and motor over the lines too if need be. And I've only had one tangle during deployment but it was not a big deal.

My decoys are fixed to my mainline and I run 12 slot decoy bags.  Its super quick to deploy and retrieve the decoys and they stay in much better shape than standard decoy bags.

I've made all my mainlines from paracord. Cheap, strong, and effective.

[lokidog]

Brad, I hadn't thought about the droppers giving the dog clearance over the main line.  Unfortunately for me, my mainline comes out of the water from the decoys as it is on a circular pulley system from a block to me on shore.

[Patarero]

Concrete+pvc+eyebolt for anchors.  Droppers with longline clips, better for dog.  Stiff stuff for dropper material is best, less tangle.  My mainline heavy is tarred twisted nylon with loops spaced ~6-10ft.  Overkill but it coils nice and does not get tangled in my bushel baskets setting out or hauling in.  I run 12 blocks /line.

[sakoshooter]

I use droppers, they are way safer for the dog.  She can swim freely between the decoyscand over the lines. Also I can run the boat and motor over the lines too if need be. And I've only had one tangle during deployment but it was not a big deal.

My decoys are fixed to my mainline and I run 12 slot decoy bags.  Its super quick to deploy and retrieve the decoys and they stay in much better shape than standard decoy bags.

I've made all my mainlines from paracord. Cheap, strong, and effective.

Brad, Does the main line seriously stay down below the decoys with that setup? It'd be great if I could send the dog thru the decoys. Do you have an anchor weight on both ends of your main line or just up front?

[lokidog]

I think you would have to anchor both ends, otherwise the flotation of the decoys would just pull the mainline to the surface, especially if there was any wind or current.

[metlhead]

After many bluebill hunts w with Sako, I very strongly agree with him on the droppers. Current will just pull up the mainline. They look good on paper,  reality is a tangled mess. Use more sets of fewer blocks. Smaller weights, less mess, more reallistic looking, and keeps thesweet spot closer. Time your retrieves so the dog swims below the blocks. AND, keep shooting till they are belly up. Good luck

[Cougar125]

The anchors bknilvr talks about work great.  I've got a couple sets he made.  As for attaching them to the longlines, use a removable link.  It provides the best retention since it screws open and closed.  If you don't know what I'm talking about I'll post a pic.

As for drops, 24"-36" works just fine.  You can use clear weed whacker or 400# monofilament for the lines.  You can also use clear weed whacker or 400# monofilament for the lines.  Use 2mm barrel crimps for your lines.  You can get these kind of clips and they work great for clipping to the main line.  If you want to be able to take your long line rigs off your decks, I would also recommend using a heavy duty fishing swivel to put through the eyes on your decoys.  This provides 2 things; first it allows your long lines to be removed from your decoys and secondly it provides a lot more decoy action.

The mainline I've got is just heavy duty nylon cord from Walmart or Home Depot;  I've also used 550 paracord.  Both work pretty decently.