Decoy Line

[salish]

Hello,

I'm an upland hunter and I'll be trying some duck hunting this season, as well. I have a set of mallard dekes I bought from a coworker 25 years ago and I need to replace the lines running from the dekes to the weights. I know there are lines specific to this, but can hardware store cord/line be used for this purpose or are there properties in dedicated decoy lines that ensure they sink, don't kink, unravel, rot, etc.?

Thank you,
Cliff

[Bill W]

Cliff,  Tanglefree and a couple other mfgrs make a 1/8 inch braided decoy line.  I'm not sold on the PVC line as crimps seem to weaken them as I've had one break.  I switched to the braid and it seems similar to what I used 30-40 years ago.  The braid comes in 200 and 500 ft lengths.   I have also heard some people are using 50 lb test mono.  This is cheaper.

Bill

[EWUeagles]

It really depends on how deep you hunt. If you're hunting in 6ft and less I would look at texas rigs. I prefer Lifetime decoys (I make my own) or 400 lb mono (Also make my own). If you're hunting deeper water and have to wrap the weight around the keep I would look at some braided line like Bill mentioned. I think mine is made by Avery/GHG but they are all the same.

[Stein]

You can use any line, but I would go with something in the green-brown range just so it isn't visible.  As said, what you use depends on where you hunt.  Some places with sheet water or shallow marsh only need Texas rigs a few feet long while others require 5-10' and heavy weights to deal with current.

Decoy line is pretty cheap stuff, so I've never used anything else.  You can usually get a spool on sale for a few bucks.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mossy-Oak-Decoy-Cord-200-Braided-Nylon-Camo/38424352?wmlspartner=wlpa&adid=22222222227026702625&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=42971389712&wl4=pla-81463445912&wl5=9033354&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=online&wl12=38424352&veh=sem&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIw-n7-Oew5QIVryCtBh16zAbXEAQYAiABEgKXu_D_BwE

https://www.rogerssportinggoods.com/flextone-braided-decoy-cord-200ft

[ducksdogsdownriggers]

+1 on Lifetime for Texas rigs

I like tuna leader, braided not mono, for deeper sets. 

[CackleBird98]

Personally, I like a good heavy braided line.  Hate that pvc stuff, it breaks in big waves and when it's cold.  Also the thin camo braided stuff will break too.  Honestly if you're just trying to get out, heavy mono (60-100lb) will work, but if you find yourself really getting into it (it'll happen) you might find a few spools of some heavy braided stuff

[92xj]

I switch from braided to 400lbs mono. Best decision ever made for 8' Water or less.

Bought everything minus the weights from SNL Corp.

[salish]

Guys, thank you all for your very helpful suggestions. I can't believe there are so many options for decoy line. Since I'm primarily an upland hunter and won't be doing too much duck hunting this season I'll opt for some heavy mono line for now. I appreciate your help.
Cliff

[HaydenHunter]

salish, if you were anywhere near me (you're on the other side of Washington) I'd give you some old decoys and some decoy line.  I just switched to Texas rig decoys so I have a spool or two of the old stuff laying around.

[EWUeagles]

salish, if you were anywhere near me (you're on the other side of Washington) I'd give you some old decoys and some decoy line.  I just switched to Texas rig decoys so I have a spool or two of the old stuff laying around.

Once you go texas rigs you won't ever go back (unless you're hunting deep water)

[Stein]

I went Texas first and then melted them down to j-hooks.  For whatever reason, they always came out of the bag in a big tangled mess and you have to pick the length and never change it.  For sheet water, the stiff line would always stick up out of the water.  Maybe if you only have one dozen, but when I put two dozen in a bag bad things happened.

[salish]

HaydenHunter, that's awfully decent of you to offer. I appreciate the thought. I think I'll be good, though, I'll probably get some used decoys or wait until a black Friday sale and get some on sale. And I was watching youtube videos on Texas rigs and I can't believe how much sense it makes.  Once I go get some more dekes I think I'll make some of those rigs. Anyway, thanks again guys.

[KopperBuck]

I went Texas first and then melted them down to j-hooks.  For whatever reason, they always came out of the bag in a big tangled mess and you have to pick the length and never change it.  For sheet water, the stiff line would always stick up out of the water.  Maybe if you only have one dozen, but when I put two dozen in a bag bad things happened.

No doubt! Start using these to keep the weights gathered, along with a carabiner at the loops. Makes a huge difference.

https://www.amazon.com/Nite-Ize-Original-Reusable-18-Inch/dp/B0051BGZHU/ref=asc_df_B0051BGZHU/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=194883046452&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13888760753688697160&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9033191&hvtargid=aud-829758849484:pla-313122570660&psc=1