Been searching for decoys had some luck and want to do my own diy jerk string set up anybody built their own any tips tricks for a semi newbie like myself. Also thought on mojos I'm going this year without one not sure how much I really need one. Getting stoked up about September
jerk string decoy set ups
- Thread starter tons0fun
- Start date
Duckhunter01
New member
Tips:
Use a good little anchor on the end with a bungee rope or cord about 2ft long. This will provide the resistance and pullback that will help provide motion.
Use a big enough gauge string or small rope to accomdate the jerk-cord. The small stuff gets all bound up in the grass and is a pain to deal with when it starts freezing. Larger guage rope is great.
Use larger decoys on the jerk-cord. Large Butts or G&H decoys(solid or weighted keel) work better then the lighter models.
Knowing when to use it and stop playing with it is important as well..many continue to use it all the way until they shoot..makes sense and can be effective. Some will just continue to play with them on and off providing action amoungst the spread. Keep in mind that a duck can see this up to 3 miles away..Action is very important.
In Alaska where most of us hunt on the marshes...there is limited wind..it always shifts around noon and will again in the evenings. Some days it is like glass out there. Others wind can be 50mph...so just be prepared for anything. Can change in 5 mins.
Use a good little anchor on the end with a bungee rope or cord about 2ft long. This will provide the resistance and pullback that will help provide motion.
Use a big enough gauge string or small rope to accomdate the jerk-cord. The small stuff gets all bound up in the grass and is a pain to deal with when it starts freezing. Larger guage rope is great.
Use larger decoys on the jerk-cord. Large Butts or G&H decoys(solid or weighted keel) work better then the lighter models.
Knowing when to use it and stop playing with it is important as well..many continue to use it all the way until they shoot..makes sense and can be effective. Some will just continue to play with them on and off providing action amoungst the spread. Keep in mind that a duck can see this up to 3 miles away..Action is very important.
In Alaska where most of us hunt on the marshes...there is limited wind..it always shifts around noon and will again in the evenings. Some days it is like glass out there. Others wind can be 50mph...so just be prepared for anything. Can change in 5 mins.
c6 batmobile
New member
Like hugh said a bungee helps. I tie mine off to the same stake I use for my mojo. Clip 4 or 5 of my larger decoys on it and pull away. I usually give it a couple jerks when Im trying to get birds attention just so the spread looks like its moving. Once they've turned my way I give it a rest so my movement doesn't blow my cover.
akblackdawg
New member
Cabelas sells a complete set up, with nice lead anchor, bungie, cord with several clips for the deks, etc all set up with its own carry bag. I would never have bought it for $29 i don't imagion, but my wife got it for me at Xmas a couple years ago. It's a nice set up and well worth the money for convienance and a lot less frustration then experimenting with home made set ups. Bud
kasilofchrisn
Well-known member
I bought a jerk string anchor years ago it is the one with four prongs that fold up. I made my jerk string with some black bungee I bought online and some hog rings.
Seems to work fine. Bought my clips at Trustworthy on an end of season sale.
If you are anywhere near Soldotna I can help you put one together with supplies I have on hand in my workshop.
Seems to work fine. Bought my clips at Trustworthy on an end of season sale.
If you are anywhere near Soldotna I can help you put one together with supplies I have on hand in my workshop.
kwackkillncrew
Well-known member
i have never used one but wouldnt you want the main line connected to the decoy and the line/bungee going from the decoy to the anchor. that way when you pull the main line it pulls the decoy and then the bungee which is connected to the anchor. I feel if you used the set up in the diagram you would just slowly pull the decoy and anchor to you.
Bullelkklr
New member
Ah, come on now Qwack - don't you remember when we went to Homer in my zodiac and I tied that string on your ear??
Very effective - Qwack had/has a little twitch and it jerked the deeks just right... I think the twitch comes and goes with the booze......
LOL - just kidding of course!
Very effective - Qwack had/has a little twitch and it jerked the deeks just right... I think the twitch comes and goes with the booze......
LOL - just kidding of course!
Good observation. I don't think you'll drag an anchor back to you using standard jerk technique. It's a boat anchor, not a decoy weight. 5# should be enough to hold it to the mud fairly well.
The bungee isn't really needed. I was just playing off an earlier post that suggested it. One line that runs through the open eye of the anchor and then straight up to the duck butt decoy will work just fine.
You can also just throw rocks into your decoys when you see ducks at a distance. The idea is to put some ripples on the water
kasilofchrisn
Well-known member
For mine I secured the bungee to the anchor and the decoy line to that. Then the decoy line is run to the blind and then the decoys are clipped on.
Jerk the string towards you a foot or so and then release it.
The bungee pulls it back out and you repeat.
Unlike the diagram posted earlier this one allows you to jerk harder and faster so you can add more or less motion.
I couldn't find black bungee locally so I ordered it online as I was worried the white stuff might be too visible in shallow water.
Instead of knots I secure the ends using hog rings I got at Sportsmans warehouse.
Jerk the string towards you a foot or so and then release it.
The bungee pulls it back out and you repeat.
Unlike the diagram posted earlier this one allows you to jerk harder and faster so you can add more or less motion.
I couldn't find black bungee locally so I ordered it online as I was worried the white stuff might be too visible in shallow water.
Instead of knots I secure the ends using hog rings I got at Sportsmans warehouse.
kwackkillncrew
Well-known member
Ya i only got that twitch in the morning though so we had to shoot quick!
Sent while partying
Alaska swamp man pro staff
Same here. I dont usually bother with a jerk string unless the water turns glassy. If there is a wind which is rippling the water, jerk cords tend to be more trouble than they are worth, especially if you have a dog going in and out.
When I do use mine, I use it a lot like a call. Hit the string to get attention, if they commit, leave it alone. Sometimes, especially as the ducks sort of get stale, you hit it to get their attention, then , much like a call, hit them with it when they look like they are shying off, or on the corners as they are circling.
Sometimes it works amazingly well, sometimes they dont seem to care. Ducks is ducks.
TriIron
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Unless you are placing the jerk string in deeper water I have found that a stake works better than an anchor. Stake-bungee-three butts and enough line to reach my blind. The bungee helps give even more motion to the butts. Especially useful when there is little or no wind. Not only provides some realistic movement but also can create just enough wave action to create a little movement in the nearby spread. With the bungee I have found that I can make the butts really move around-very similiar to what feeding ducks actually look like. Almost nothing (with the exception of my red faced buddy looking up) will flair birds off then a spread with no movement in it at all. Ruby's ready and I have a day of getting everything together for Monday. Stay safe and enjoy the day!!!
I have the one from cabelas it's a nice set up a lot of slack to set up how ever far you want to the decoys away from you. The only thing that might be a down side it the cord it's self doesn't seem to be all that sturdy.
