I am hunting a small marsh pond this weekend that filled up with birds last weekend while we watched from another spot. We had 18 decoys out and the ducks that flew over us flared almost all of the time...

I know I am only doing a small spread, like about 11 or fewer. My question is, how do I set the spread. It is supposed to be a SE-ish wind.

I've usually used a little bigger spread and just put a group on left and right with a few random ones on the shoreline/on the outside of the spread.

With such a small spread, how do you guys typically arrange your small late season spread? Should I use the Mojo or leave that sucker at home?

Thanks for any help. Like I said, I usually do a larger spread of 18-about 36 decoys.

Don't over think it. If you are using just a couple then spread them around. Make it look natural. 2 here 3 there kinda stuff.

That is what I was kind of thinking... Wasn't sure if there was some sort of formation though for a small spread...

^^^^ here you go! It is very easy to over decoy small water. I hunt a 1 acre farm tank and NEVER but out more than 6 decoys. I have put more out in the past with lots of lookers but no landings. Less is more when dealing with pocket sized water.

I don't use any, especially if they want to be there.

Just depends on the weather... if its foggy then motion will be important.. bluebird then more may be a good thing

keep it simple, a few here and there, just like its said above. I'd also leave the mojo at home this time of the year

4-6 decoys just enough to make them want to be more towards you put them where they are visable not hidden in any grass

I bet if you put 5 or 6 out on a jerk rig you will have good luck!

now there's an idea, all 6 decoys on a jerk rig... anyone ever tried that?

I like to put out 7 dekes on small ponds. 5 drakes and 2 hens. One group of 4, 2, and 1 lone drake.

Tmw I'll have 8 of our 12-14 on one

You wearing a face mask? It was not the decoys that was flaring the birds I bet.

lol WT2 called you ugly

I always have a hard time with my spread. i hunt on a private 50 acre lake next to a 30 acre marsh, Both of them are mine so i end up throwing out dekes in the AM and then chase them where they are landing.

get two groups out there to hunt with you and it will make for a better hunt

Boy I sure do wish I had a hard time like that. Lol.

Jackpot!

Yeah, I was not wearing a mask or paint on this particular hunt and I normally do... I just didn't feel like it that day. I had my hat on and I have a beard so I thought maybe it'd be enough. Back to the facepaint I suppose...

spend some time watching where they are landing. I bet it is pretty near the same spot. THAT is where you want to be. Save yourself the trouble of chasing birds.

Another thought, the birds may be resting on the lake and feeding in the marsh. You may kill birds in the marsh as they come off the roost to feed and then kill birds on the lake as the head out to rest.

If the ducks want to be there then no decoys is usually best, but most of us don't feel like we are duck hunting just sitting and shooting ducks that come in to a pond or small marsh, or etc... We want to have out decoys and call too! I would use just a couple of decoys and the jerk string is always a good thing even if it is one decoy to give water movement. Sounds like they are flaring from seeing you would be my guess. I would try getting better concealment to cover any movement. We have used 3D leaf camo with full face cover and had very good success in open cover where you can not use a layout blind, or make a good blind. The key is you can not move "period" until time to shoot. Have Fun!!!

I have a gadwall hole that always keeps ducks on it. Sometimes I go check it out to see how they sit on it during the day and I mimic it on days I hunt. Works pretty good for me. 6-8 dekes is all I use most times.