lines and weights

[dukman63]

just bought several mallard decoys in various sizes, and am looking for opinions on what you like best in lines and weights and why ! thanks.....phil

[Dux r me]

for weigths make sure you get the ghg keel grabber weights best thing iv seen since tangle free line and get ghg tangle free line to works for me easy pick up and nothing gets tangled gotta see how long the streetchee cord on the weights last though.

[Nate051]

im definetly for keel grabbers and tangle free also. Its worked great for me so far. The stretchee cords have lasted great also Nate

[Nicholas Lisec]

I have some personal experiences to add to this thread. I have always been a firm believer in using the GHG keel grabber style weights because there is no mess, tangles, knots, frustration, time lost, etc....because as most duck hunters know Murphy's Law will get you whenever it can.
I bought two dozen GHG teal and I had no weights (GHG Keel Grabbers) for them and I was planning on using my new dekes the next day so I bought some no name weights and my regular braided cord and set up the rig. We had about a half mile walk out to the marsh and in that time the weights had come off and the lines were tangled. While I am trying to untangle the lines its getting lighter and lighter outside, the ducks are flying and LANDING in the dekes that I had already set out(the ones with the regular GHG Keel Grabber weights that were not tangled). I finally got frustrated enough to cut the line and re-tie about a dozen of the dekes.

This will not happen again to my spread ever again. The GHG Keel Grabber weights in both 4 oz and 7.5 oz are definitely the way to go.

That's my .02

Nick

[Daryl Neal]

I have rigged all of my decoys this year with Quick Fix and Keel Grabbers. They have worked great, I know what I'll be using from here on out.

[Mark Brendemuehl]

Quick Fix is the way to go. Several years ago I had regular braided line and I had a mes slike what Nich was describing. Line in a ball that looked like a tumbleweed involving half a bag of decoys. Birds were flying, the dog was getting annoyed, and I couldnt take it anymore. Out came the knife. In my haste to get the mess cut off and retied, I buried the blade into my thumb knuckle deep enough that when I let go of the handle, the blade stayed in my thumb. I vowed from that day forward it would be Quick Fix.
I have not tried the keel grabber weights yet, however in playing with them at shows etc, I think that is the way to go as well, and I am trying it this year.
Mark

[tornado]

So for a newbie, what size of weight do you use? The 4 or the 7.5oz? Is it just personal preference, or are there decoys or other things that need a larger size or smaller size? I really do need to know, because I want to order some weights and decoys.

Thanks

[Dux r me]

for the teal 4 oz and lifesize you could get away with 4 oz but for the life size and and over size dekes i would go with 7 oz

[Nicholas Lisec]

I would also choose a weight with regard to the area your going to be hunting. If you are just pot hole hunting the 4oz are going to be plenty but in a swift running/deep river you will probably need to step it up on the weight. I have had great luck with the 7.5 oz weights on the Platte river here in Nebraska.

Let us know what you decide and if you have any more questions just ask.

Thanks,

Nick

[tornado]

Well, I was looking at getting some of the Cabela's dekes made by GHG, hunt mostly pot holes or flooded fields/timber, and will probably have to carry my stuff in the majority of the time, so weight may be an issue. Just wondering if this larger size will require the 7.5's or the 4's could handle this much duck in the smaller water? Do these types of weights act like an anchor in any way?

Thanks again.

[iluvfish2]

Given its mostly potholes I'd have to say you should be fine with the 4oz. I'm hunting mostly rivers with good flow (2-3 fps) and after spending most of my late season chasing decoys (and accepting a few new ones from upstream hunters) I'm moving 1/2 my spread to a larger size. I havent used the Keel Grabbers yet, but the next trip to the toy store I'm picking up some. I generally prefer the 'shoom sytle anchors because they do dig in (or you can stomp them in) verses the flat strap style. I'm hoping that the larger size and/or the J shape to the KG's will allow them to get snagged on rocks if the water picks up.

[Goldeneyebuster]

I usually tie 4' drops on my dekes (it is deeper wher i hunt). I tie a clip on the end and then pour weights using a muffin tin and wire . This method will keep your dekes for getting scrathed up because when you get to your spot all you have to do is clip the weight on and set em out .:D

[Nicholas Lisec]

Tornado,

If you are hunting in potholes or flooded timber the GHG Keel Grabber weights will work just like any other weight but the very nice thing is that once you wrap the weight around with the stretchee cord you just hook the keel grabber around the keel and drop the deke in the bag.

If you are walking a long way into these pot holes I would go with the 4 oz since you will eliminate about half the weight by not using a 7.5 oz weight.

I hope this helps.

Nick

[dukman63]

thanks for all the replies guys ! i plan on buying both weights in the keel grabbers, but am nervous on the plastic line! being in northeast ohio and hunting in some icey cold water........will the plastic lines break? i hunt everything from potholes to fast flowing rivers! i sure would hate to try and chase a super mag decoy down river (although we do it with "dead ducks)! again......thanks for the replies, phil

[Mark Brendemuehl]

dukman- I hunt in west central Minnesota. There are days where we spend more time breaking ice than we do hunting. While it can occasionally freeze up and break, its a rare thing.I havent had a line break in the last two seasons! Keeping any knots out of the line will make it sronger of course.Its worth it.
Mark

[Rich Good]

My .02 is that the Keel Grabber with the rubber cord is the best this was the first season that all my Decoys were placed with the keel grabbers, and I had no breakoffs/floaters they stayed right where I put them.

[Nick Bury]

Id say to go with no tangle line with crimps they dont come apart and u dont have to tie knots

[Craig Kniepmann]

It is definately personal preferance...their are alot of variables like if you are goin to be doin some walkin with the weight on your back or if there is a current or if it is windy where you hunt...I would go with the 7.5 ounce...just my .02