For waterfowl hunters, less time picking up and putting out decoys means more minutes to hunt ducks.
And the nearly undisputed method to best save time with decoy spreads is Texas rigging.
The line used is the choosiest part of the process for most hunters. The most orthodox way consists of using monofilament between 300 and 500 pound, but hunters report success with weed eater string, in addition to cord similar to the decoy line Tanglefree offers.
Once that is decided, crimps, a hammer and weights are all that’s left. The weight can either be an egg weight that slides freely down the line or a bar weight.
Cut the line a little longer than the depth of the water you usually hunt. Next, thread one end through a crimp, then through a weight. Bend the line so that it threads through the other opening in the crimp, and softly hammer the crimp closed. If you hammer the crimp too hard, it can pinch the line and break it.
Now, thread the opposite end of the line through the keel of the decoy. Many decoys are pre-drilled for this step. After the line goes through the keel, send it through your second crimp and then create a very loose overhand knot. Next, spiral the free end of the line around the loop a few more times for strength. Push the free end of the line through the crimp, hammer it closed, and you’re done.
Another tip is to make sure you cut the extra line that sticks through the crimp, or it will snag other decoys and their lines.
With this technique, you can clip the loops of your decoys on a carabineer, or D-ring, and simply drag the decoys behind you in the water. If you still want to bag your decoys, an open mouth bag works the best. Holding the carabineer above you, let the decoys down into the bag, grab all the lines at once and tie a loose overhand knot in the middle of the cords. This will further help prevent tangling.
No more wet hands or wrapping weights around the decoys with this method; just grab and go.
To watch a video on how to Texas rig a decoy, click here.
