[roscoesbuddy]

hey guys i'm looking to add some divers to my collection of decoys this fall and i can't decide if i should get a dozen golden eyes or a dozen bluebills, or 6 of each. were i hunt we dont get a lot of bluebills(there is some) more golden eyes, bufflehead, ringnecks, and hoody's. i guess i'm asking from experience which kind of duck attracted more attention. also if you don't mind could you guys add some imput in on which brand has the best bluebills and golden eyes. the thing is i've only seen carry-lite have golden eye decoys. lastly is one line of 12 better then 2 lines of 6 with different types such as the bluebills and golden eyes. any other ideas on how i could set this up would be great.

 

[roscoesbuddy]

anyone out there got any ideas?

 

[huntmq1]

I've got 12 bluebills, 12 ring necks, and 12 red heads. I don't hunt big open water and what I have is enough. I would guess that as long as they're dark dekes for divers they would all get the attention. It's too late for them ,once they're comitted at coming in, to realize it's not "one of their own". The size of your water would make a difference also.
:salude:

 

[benelliduckman]

Go with what you see more.

 

[texan68]

:withstupid:

 

[suskiedrake]

I am in PA as well where I am we dont see many bluebills either, but in my diver rig I use bluebills for my numbers, along with buffleheads. I have a good number of goldeneyes to but keep them away from your other speices they like to stay with there own......

 

[firebird]

I specifically target goldeneyes as they decoy well and the drakes are magnificent heavy birds when in full plumage. A big spread works well but isn't necessary. I use carrylite decoys I've had for 10 years but am hoping Greenhead Gear will come out with some new models soon. I add some bufflehead dekes on the edges and redheads for color but mostly black and white are all we get.

 

[Layout]

We usually hunt with no less than 60 blocks. Sometimes 80 - 90, depending how the birds are acting and weather. All are on main lines and each main line has 10 blocks per line. I have herters and toledos(Tom schebolts) ?spelling. In our application the wider the decoy the better because they seem to ride better in rough water. Rarely is it calm where we hunt.

All of my decoys are painted flat white across the entire body with a dark black/charcoal head. We mainly hunt bluebills, cans, redheads and ringbills. But we have killed just about every duck in the spectrum over this type of set up. All of our hunting is done out of a one man layout boat in deep water in Lake Michigan and the other great lakes.

The white body w/ black head gives the decoys more flash/attractiveness when hunting huge expanses of open water based on my experiences in layout diver hunting. Hopes this helps ya out.

 

[Gooseboy]

Go with what you see more.

 

[donell67]

i would say get a dozen goldeneyes. put them in one line. we do awesome with a line of a dozen. herters has goldeneyes. i have some carrylites there not the best, but you can order a dozen all drakes out of knutsons.for 62 bucks i think. i just had a couple goldeneyes made buy a decoy carver. they look awesome. there more spendy, but an awesome looking deke.

 

[bluebilldays]

Just remember. Keep it simple. Bluebills are an all around deke for divers and you cannot go wrong. Remember also that goldeneyes are not that social most of the time, so a good tip is to set you eyes on free lines out side the spread(about five feet or so, no more). They will pour in. I feel the best blocks for diver hunting are herters, because of there foam construction. Divers fly real low and you run the risk of "sinking" the dekes you paid you hard earned money for.

 

[donell67]

i agree that foamers are great for divers, but you can just fill leaking plastic dekes with foam.

 

[aaron]

Filling plastic ducks with foam has been a godsend for me,now as soon as I bring some home from the store I just go ahead and fill 'em. :thumbsup:

 

[870]

Just remember. Keep it simple. Bluebills are an all around deke for divers and you cannot go wrong. Remember also that goldeneyes are not that social most of the time, so a good tip is to set you eyes on free lines out side the spread(about five feet or so, no more). They will pour in. I feel the best blocks for diver hunting are herters, because of there foam construction. Divers fly real low and you run the risk of "sinking" the dekes you paid you hard earned money for.

:withstupid: this is good advice