Windy Water Decoy Setup

Wind is both a blessing and a curse for waterfowlers. It gets birds moving and can improve decoy realism — but it also tests your rigging setup. Here's how to keep your spread locked down when the wind picks up.

Why Wind Matters

In 15+ mph wind, poorly rigged decoys will:

• Drift out of position
• Clump together or spread too far apart
• Create unnatural movement patterns
• Require constant re-positioning

Weight Selection for Wind

Pro tip: It's better to go slightly heavier than needed. Faster sink rate, less drift during deployment.

Positioning Strategy

Upwind Anchoring

Position your heaviest-weighted decoys on the upwind side of your spread. They'll take the most force and need the most holding power.

Stagger Depths

Don't put all decoys at the same depth. Varying depths:

• Looks more natural
• Reduces chain-reaction movement
• Prevents collision in gusts

Landing Zone

Keep your landing zone on the downwind side of the spread. Birds land into the wind, so they'll approach from downwind and land where you want them.

Deployment Technique

In windy conditions:

Start upwind and work downwind

Drop weight straight down (don't toss)

Wait for weight to anchor before releasing decoy

Move quickly — wind will drift decoys during setup

When to Go Heavier

Signs you need more weight:

• Decoys drifting more than 2-3 ft from set position
• Weights dragging (you can see the movement)
• Spread bunching up on one side
• Constant re-positioning needed

Our Recommendation

For windy conditions (15-20 mph), our 6 oz Texas Rig Weights provide the right balance of holding power and fast deployment. For extreme wind, consider pairing with heavier options on your upwind decoys.