[liv2hunt]

Ok, I have family property near me that I have been given permission to hunt on. The property is what we call around here, strip mine lakes. For those who dont know, these are lakes created by strip mining the land for coal. The lakes are long and narrow, and very deep. The banks drop almost immediately and at times can be 50 to 80 feet deep in the middle. The lake are usually about 20 to 30 feet across.

So here is my question. There are a lot of geese that fly over the lakes and I usually see quite a few on the lakes too. How would be the best way to decoy these birds and how should I use dekes in this deep of water.

Thanks.

PS. This applies to some ducks too, but not many. Only on occasion due an greenheads visit.

I have added a sweet pic for all of you so you can visualize what I am talking about. Enjoy!

 

[duckdog]

Ahh that is a problem, maybe tie about a half dozen to one rope, with a big anchor. Alot of decoy string though, I usaully dont have to contend with anything over 3' deep. Good luck, I bet there's some ocean hunter's on here that would know

 

[CALLEMQUACKTN]

maybe run a line from one side of the lake to the other. Then clip the decoys to the line. Just a thought

 

[bgoldhunter]

..........

 

[wa.duckhunter]

live2hunt, do you have a small boat, float tube or any other method to retrieve your decoys? If you do then I would suggest using the decoy weights that look somewhat like an "H" but instead of one horizon line the weights have two horizontal lines they look kind of like l=l (I beleive they are called tumblers). On these weights you can take some twine and roll on as much line as you want (50-80 feet) between the two uprights of the weights. Then you can toss the decoys out and the tumbler weights unroll them selves to the appropriate depth.

I use these weights on every one of my decoys. Each decoy is set with 20 - 30 ft of line on them. They work great!!

If you don't have a boat, float tube, or any other method to get out on the water I would suggest the same plan, but don't place your decoys out as far. Then to retrieve them you use a spare weight and line then throw the weight out over the decoy or decoy line and pull them in.

I hope this helps.

 

[huntforever]

:thumbsup: Just an idea Look for an old pool net handle, they will extend out to 20-30 ft. put a hook on the end and retrieve decoys from shore. Or Place weights toward shore and let the wind pull decoys out to the deeper water.
Just an idea have not tried it.

 

[suskiedrake]

I hunt a deep man made lake as well I have great success using gang rigs or longlines you see some over on the diverduck forum under long lines . They work well. Email me and I can send you a pic or two on the way i rig them sometime a picture is worth a 1001 words ...

 

[whitefeather]

We just bring long corded decoys and use an old fishing pole and reel with a weighted snagging trebble hook or a rattle trap on the end of it. We throw the decoys out from shore after unraveling the cords and when we are ready to pick them up, we simply make a few casts. Works like a charm for me on one of the lakes we hunt that is 25 feet deep. :thumbsup:
While one guy is casting, the other guy is winding up decoy line.