decoy rigging kits for divers?

[bigcans]

Hoping to hear from a few who has tried various methods of decoy rigging and what seems to work best for you.

I'm not sure what gang or decoy rigging works best and or least so i can stay away from spending money on stuff I won't really enjoy using. Right now i'm just tossing deeks with 12 ft strings and using the motor far too much when  having to pick them up even with an 18 ft decoy retriever.  Now that the decoy retriever broke looking for my calls last week yesturday  i lost the other hook part. Now i'm down to my push pole. looks like i want to simplify this.  I plan to use this set up with puddle ducks but then they don't rest and feed in a straight line like i saw  yesturday of all them bluebills and buffleheads.

from looking at illistrations sometimes I'm not 100% sure how they will work. From what i gather do i need decoys with weight attached if i'm using them 3 lb anchors? I'm thinking the weights would keep the decoy from bobbing up and down to fast in a wind? What rig do i need? I'd like to rig 12 or more decoys to the main line and attached are a 3 lb anchor on each end?

I Just want to motor over to main rig; pull them into the boat and I'm done. Guess the problem with that is they will all be within a specific area and if i want to throw a few deeks here and there then maybe get another smaller rig or just toss them out and pick them up like i did before with a new deek retriever. 

[h2ofowlr]

I have used all sorts over the years.  Currently I have the 3-prong collapsable 5lb anchors.  I attach one at each end.  I use 150' lines and on the down current side a made a slip not, so I can shorten the anchor line.  I use gang clips to attach my decoys to the lines.  I also use 36" leaders.  I think I have some brant on 18" leaders.  The ticket to leader lenght is to have them long enough to motor through or the dog can swim through them.  I run 12-24 decoys per line.  You can shorten the lines if need be.  Many times on average I will run 5-10 long lines.  More often closer to the 10 long line mark.  Look on a few of the duck hunting forums and you will find a ton of info on long lines.  The east coasters are big long liners.

[bigcans]

Appreciate the help H2. I was looking over a site when I did a search before i posted. Sometimes it takes a while for stuff to sink in! Think im gonna buy 2 sets of 36" gang rig drops with the stainless line clips and a 500ft roll of sinking camo cord. and save myself some money and go to a shop to see if i can scrap up some 3 to 5 lb steel bars and drill a hole at the ends like some guy mentioned on that site. tie a overhand loop knot every 8ft along the line and hook the deeks to them.  looking forward to it.

[h2ofowlr]

Appreciate the help H2. I was looking over a site when I did a search before i posted. Sometimes it takes a while for stuff to sink in! Think im gonna buy 2 sets of 36" gang rig drops with the stainless line clips and a 500ft roll of sinking camo cord. and save myself some money and go to a shop to see if i can scrap up some 3 to 5 lb steel bars and drill a hole at the ends like some guy mentioned on that site. tie a overhand loop knot every 8ft along the line and hook the deeks to them.  looking forward to it.

I don't tie any hoops in the main line.  Your asking for tangles down the road.  You just snap them to the straight line.  If your worried about hitting the mark, you can always use a different color nylon line and make stoppers on the main line.  Kind of like how you whip the end of a rope to keep it from fraying.  We would use the creen in a 60lb and tie markers to it for decoy indication marks on the main line.
Anchors, balister weights will work.  I have also used galvanized eyes and placed a nut on the end and filled cans with lead along with cement.  Coffee cans with cement and and eye will also work.  Quick and usable by morning.  I have another buddy that ran across 4" bar stainless steel and cut them into 10" lengths and welded eye's to the top.

[Stilly bay]

would lead core rope for a main line be of any value? 

[h2ofowlr]

I do use the lead core line for divers.  If your hunting puddlers you need a dark colored line.  They see the lighter line.

[bigcans]

Let me clarify, i mentioned loops to the main line as stoppers earlier. Your saying i'll have trouble with tangles down the road if i put overhand loops in the main line as stoppers where I'll connect my deeks?  Not sure what you mean by "if i'm worried about hitting the mark". I was gonna make the loops to the main line as stoppers but if it's a bad idea I won't.

If i clipped the deeks right to the main line without any "loops" to keep them in place will i need to worry about my decoys moving down the line then getting all bunched up together if any wind develops?

[Special T]

H2fowler have you ever seen a dark leaded line? All i've ever seen is the light grey stuff for crabpots?

[ducksdogsdownriggers]

I use Spiderwire Stealth Braid fishing line in moss color for just about all duck hunting applications you can imagine including rigging diver lines.
Might want check that out.

H2fowler have you ever seen a dark leaded line? All i've ever seen is the light grey stuff for crabpots?

[h2ofowlr]

I use Spiderwire Stealth Braid fishing line in moss color for just about all duck hunting applications you can imagine including rigging diver lines.
Might want check that out.

H2fowler have you ever seen a dark leaded line? All i've ever seen is the light grey stuff for crabpots?

Sounds expensive.  What lb of test are you using. Probably would work.  I use the green braided line at times, but typically use the tarred round braid line for droppers.  It works great and doesn't tangle.  For my dark lines I picked up some expensive black line.  I think it typically runs about $12 a ft.  I spent about $160 on lines.  There are a lot less expensive options.

[h2ofowlr]

http://www.doctarilonglines.com/photos.html

[ducksdogsdownriggers]

80lb test. Runs about $15-20 for 125 yards

Sounds expensive.  What lb of test are you using. Probably would work.  I use the green braided line at times, but typically use the tarred round braid line for droppers.  It works great and doesn't tangle.  For my dark lines I picked up some expensive black line.  I think it typically runs about $12 a ft.  I spent about $160 on lines.  There are a lot less expensive options.
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[h2ofowlr]

The 80lb spider wire is to small to hook the 6" clips on if you go that option.  1/4" main lines are a good option and won't work your hands over if the water gets rough.

[seth30]

I have a couple rolls of Decoy line, would that work for a set up?

[h2ofowlr]

I have a couple rolls of Decoy line, would that work for a set up?

There are many options as you can see.  I kind of have gone off of what the guides on the east coast use.  They do it everyday, but I am sure everything under the sun has been used or attempted and has worked.  I have heard of guys using black coated single strand copper wire, coaxle cable, rope, crab pot rop, everything.  There is always ways to cut costs.  There are get you by ways and the easy way.  Easy seems to cost the most money.  If it works post it.  You will get the pros and cons to as people pipe up.

[bigcans]

http://www.doctarilonglines.com/photos.html

thanks, i'll be ordering on friday

[ducksdogsdownriggers]

These work well and are cheap.

[h2ofowlr]

These work well and are cheap.

You must be hunting fresh water.  No swivels?  You would need a tetanus shot after handling those in the salt.   It will get you buy, I am sure.
80lb spider wire, shower curtain hooks, black painted Carry-Lite Decoys and old rotors or railroad spikes at each end.  I am following you!   

[ducksdogsdownriggers]

Yep, fresh water.  Use what you've got lyin' around...

These work well and are cheap.

You must be hunting fresh water.  No swivels?  You would need a tetanus shot after handling those in the salt.   It will get you buy, I am sure.
80lb spider wire, shower curtain hooks, black painted Carry-Lite Decoys and old rotors or railroad spikes at each end.  I am following you!   

[bigcans]

I'm gonna talk to doc tomarrow or thursday but my take is you can start with 25 feet of main line and attach it to my lead and sink it. then you clip the stainless droppers where ever you want right?  Then drop the weight at the other end and your ready! The key piece of gear is a line winder right? i wanna be able to crank the deeks in or, i can wrap the line around a 5 gallon bucket??

got my first bluebill today. lost another gizmo to the ever challenging Columbia. damn Egret steak fell out of my hand. as i was removing it from it's high tower thanks to a good size tree truck with good tall grass growing out of it. That's 2 steaks i've lost. I'm usually not careless but i sure messed that one up.

[Snowgoose1]

H20 is correct on the main line.  We keep our Brant and Seaduck coys in slotted bags all the time.  We keep the main line connected to the decoys with the good clips. Sometimes with the clips you have to bend it a little to make it hold which is easy. We put a big knot at the end of the main line so in case a they slip. We only use 75 feet of main line with about 6 decoys per line.  Everything stays attached and is put into slotted bags which really helps for organization in a boat. In putting them out with tidal movement we anchor and then put the end of the main line out with the current.  We then get to the anchor end and use the 5 pound anchors. Watch and see where the current takes the decoys and set up the next string.  Our biggest help in the boat was the slotted bag thing and it made it easier.

[bigcans]

yes, spoke with Scott at Doctori this morning and he too mentioned the slotted bags and to get a 35 gallon rubber maid tub Glad i still have the black and grey one from construction. Will be able to close the built in lid that snaps shut so that will work out good. this is gonna make duck huntin a whole lot easier. yesturday even my 11ft decoy strings were in a far back slough. tired of chasing decoys but it's all a learning process. thanks snowgoose,