easier_long

Easier long line set ups are not that hard to master. I set out large spreads of diver and sea duck decoys, often by myself. The keys are in how your lines are built, being prepared, and handling the boat. I will go over how I do things, no doubt everyone will have a few tweaks that will work better for them but maybe this will help make things easier for you.

I start out my long lines with a ¼” rope, around 100 to 125 feet long. I then tie simple overhand knots every 4 feet or so. These give me an idea of how much space I have between decoys when it is dark and in the event that things get rougher the clips used to hold the blocks can only slide but so far. At each end of the rope I tie a clip (large eye, something easy to work with gloves) the ones I use are made by sea choice and are used on cheap anchor lines. Now I have several long ropes with knots every 4 feet or so, with large clips on each end. I store these on a spool. I can store several on one spool by clipping them end to end. By doing this they feed out easily and when you reach the end of one line the next is right there ready for an anchor. For anchors I use at least 4 pounds. Pamlico Sound can get choppy and a line with a dozen solid body decoys on it can put quite a strain on an anchor. I also always anchor both ends, over the years this has saved me a lot of long line untangling (single anchored lines can get very tangled during a wind or tide change).

On the duck end of things I use parachute chord for a dropper. It handles well and does not tangle when neck wrapped on a decoy. I make my droppers a bit longer than necessary (3 feet). Shorter ones work fine but sometimes I hunt with a dog and the longer line lets the mainline sink deeper, keeping her from getting tangled. At the end of the dropper I use a large commercial fishing long line clip (you can also get them from Mack’s, Bass Pro, and Cabelas). When setting out these clip right to the 1/4” main line (this line is large enough to keep the clip from slipping).

None of this is rocket science but it works for me. I can set the first anchor and arrange the boat so that it drifts down wind. If I have already laid my blocks out it is a simple task to clip them onto the line as I drift. When one line is done, I run back up wind and set the next in the same way.

Some of the most difficult to use long lines are those that can be purchased “ready made” from the outdoor shops. Many of these have the droppers as part of the main line and are impossible to keep untangled, and can be difficult to wrap and unwrap. Give this set up a try, modify it to fit your needs, and shoot the birds at less than 30 yards!