Long line setup

[AC_ESS]

Well I am making as many foam divers  until  season starts again. I have never diver hunted and would really appreciate some help on how to setup long lines that are not permanent ie using clips on the ropes. any pictures or how toos would be great

[Derek and Xena]

I am also new to all of this and bought a mold to make foam divers this off season.  I tried long lines for the first time this year because I was fed up with individual rigging and wrapping up line on every decoy and tangles.  I don't have much money and went as cheap as possible and used fishing snap swivels.  I spent $16 rigging a dozen ducks and 4 geese on one line.  I would recommend the bigger long line clips though.  The small ones are a pain and your hands will freeze!  That's all I could afford and it has worked fine though.  I just grab a loop of line and tie an overhand knot and clip the snap through the loop created, and then untie, or not, the loops when you wind up the mother line.  This way you can change the distance between decoys each time.  If you can go with the long line clips though and you can use gloves and clip/unclip them with one hand and you won't have to tie loops like me!

[Pete S.]

I too am on a budget.  I use the long line clips and made my own main lines by taring rope from the hardware store.  I bought 6 doz clips off of e bay for 25.00 with shipping.  I have seen then on there from time to time you just have to watch.  They work great, you can use your gloves and they are very fast on and off.  For anchors I use old downrigger weights but you could use whatever, I hunt on Lake Michigan and it is more common than not to be in 3 foot waves with lots of wind and have never had them move.  Here is a pic of them out if you want I can dig them out of the shed and get some pics of the clips.

[alden]

This is the way I did it.

http://www.cheapsportsman.com/?p=39

A few changes have been made though.  For the weights I changed to sand filled pvc pipe and I don't take them off.  I bought 2 slotted bags that can hold 24 decoys.  I live them on the long line and put them in slotted bags.  They go out in no time and pick up is a breeze.

[TimB (tbrom)]

<img src="http://api.photoshop.com/home_7e5acbf6626540f1ad0ce8d00a3ea3e1/adobe-px-assets/563fd3193dd447aaa3b56c70349fcff5" width="1600" height="1200"/>

I use 3/8" crab lines from the "rope dope". With long line clips and cord reels. Frank has some great deals on crab line(sinking rope). I can post up pics of the lines and set up if anyone is interested.

[TimB (tbrom)]

<img src="http://api.photoshop.com/home_7e5acbf6626540f1ad0ce8d00a3ea3e1/adobe-px-assets/b9827b14cddb4a358e467970df42c5fc" width="1600" height="1200"/>

[BryanD]

To those of you who have done it both ways, what are the pros and cons of anchoring the tail end or not anchoring it?

[TimB (tbrom)]

To those of you who have done it both ways, what are the pros and cons of anchoring the tail end or not anchoring it?

Your are trying to bring birds down the line. If you are setup and the wind shifts even if for a couple of min and the tail isnt anchored you have problems. I anchor the tail 100% of the time. Acouple extra min. for insurance.

[BryanD]

Thanks.  that makes sense.  Have always used the X pattern in open water with individual dekes put out.  Use a pair of long tails of singles out each side for them to run up.....trying to decide if I want to do the long line thing.  Still put out 120 or so on single H weights now so that I can throw dekes about 20 yds adn make the spread  just like I want it, and lines are not out extra length to tangle up the dog.  Still might try  a quicker way to pick them up..

Maybe long lines or weld up some folding spreaders then use H weights on those.