Here is how I rig my waterfowl decoys
Decoy rigging is a needed part of waterfowl hunting that is often dismissed and rarely thought about. When you hunt 45+ days a season and often spend long lenths of time outside in nasty weather you will learn real fast how to make things easier on you. Decoy rigging is one of the things that needs to nbe easier to do. Often we just put rigged decoys in a sack and throw em around in the boat, therefore they need to be easy to set when you get to you spot.
Here is how I do it
This is a "what works for me" way of doing things. I am not claiming to have invented this nor am I taking credit for it. It's simple, fast easy and I can do it with gloves on in cold weather. Let me know what you think and maybe tis is something you can use.
What You need
I begin by gatering all the parts needed. Just
like any other rigging systems: decoy, sinker, rigging cord and crimps.
I use Sten 400 lb monofilament, 6 ounce egg sinkers and fishing crimps.
form an end loop
Once you cut your line length
(I use 4-5 feet) form a loop in one end of the line. This will be used
as a handle to hang the decoys and hang onto them. I also use the loop
to connect my decoys to a caribiner.
crimp the loop end in place
Crimp the loop you just formed into place.
Crimping is a smooth slow operation. This allows you to feel the
compression rather than over compressing the line.
Sinker layout
I use plastic beads before
and after the sinker. This provides a buffer for the sinker to hit
rather than hitting the crimp as it moves along the line.
run line through decoy eye
Slide a crimp onto the line. Insert the line end
into the eye of the decoy.
form a loop around the decoy eye
Form a loop in the line
around the decoy eye and insert it back into the line crimp. Make sure
the eye is larger enough to swing freely and move without getting hung.
crimp the line loop
crimp the end loop around the decoy eye as you did
previously. Ensure it swngs freely and does not get hung up.
the completed rig
You now have a slinding
weight decoy right ready to hunt. I carry these by the dozen on
caribener clips. I also store some of my decoys in the new single
compartment bag carriers.
Products Used
I create my own weights by casting them using
molds from Do It Molds.
Do It molds makes several decoy weight mold and a ton of egg sinker molds for vaious sizes. Click here to see the Do It Molds website
The high points
I modified a Do It molds 6-8 oz egg sinker mold to
use their 3/16" peg. This allows me to use 400# mono or Tangle Free cord
to rig my deoys with the modified egg sinkers.
Egg sinker allow the line to be centered in the sinker and better streamlines the rig. Egg sinkers also keep the decoys from tangling as they roll around in the boat and decoy bags.
Crimps are easier and quicker than knots for most people. Don't over compress the crimp and take your time.
Keep your lines short, I never user more than a 4 foot depth of cord. This makes the decoys easier to handle and puddle ducks don't feed in deep water