There are two ways to work the Decoy Rig:
(1) If two hunters work together, the decoys can be removed from each feeder line at the end of the hunt. This is accomplished by one hunter pulling in the main anchor line and unsnapping each decoy as they are pulled in. The other hunter places the unattached decoy in the decoy bag while winding up the anchor line and decoy rig. The opposite must be done when placing unattached decoys. One hunter must wade out of in the water with the outbound end of the decoy rig, while the other hunter attaches each decoy to a feeder line while unwinding the main line and decoy rig from a spool or winding board. This method can be a bit of a challenge to a single hunter, especially if the decoys are being set up in the dark.
(2) This next method works really well for the hunter placing decoys by himself or working with another hunter. The decoys are attached to the feeder lines prior to hunting and placed in the decoy bag along with the main line. The bag is loaded with the out-bound side of the decoy rig in the bottom of the decoy bag with the decoys, feeder and decoy rig main line following. The in-bound snap should be attached to the inside of the decoy bag if more than one dozen decoys are being used.
If the hunter is using more than a dozen decoys in one decoy bag, repeat the process as outlined above until the decoy bag is full. The last outbound snap swivel is then attached to the outside of the decoy bag. The decoys can then be removed from the decoy bag much the same as pulling a rope from a barrel.
(2A) If the hunter is by himself, the decoys can be removed from the decoy bag and spread out in a small area prior to entering the pond and then be pulled into the hunt zone.
(2B) Two hunter deployment is by far the easiest method. While one hunter pulls the decoy rig and decoys out of the decoy bag, the other hunter pulls the decoys into the hunt zone. No matter what method the hunter chooses to use, an outbound weight of six ounces to a maximum of 12 ounces must be placed on the outbound end of the rig. The inbound rig line must be clipped on to the anchor line for easy retrieval of the decoys, or to move the decoys to a different area. It is recommended that a 100 foot anchor cord be used for this.
Most prefer to use a 5 or 6 ounce oval weight on the inbound side of the decoy rig. The connection is made by using a split ring on the eye of the weight and a snap swivel on the 5 foot weight line. (If more than one decoy rig is to be used the snap swivel can also be used for the connecion to the main anchor line along with the weight.)
If the area you are hunting does not allow waterfowl to fly over the blind to land in the decoys, or you want to set up a permanent "S" or "J" pattern, set up your old strip weights by cutting them in half and drilling a hole for a split ring. You can then attach these to the decoy rig main line, using a simple slip knot, no matter what the conditions are.
