When it comes to keeping your decoys where you want them it seems that there have been the same old options for generations. Lead has been a staple due to its high density and weight, while allowing for many years of bending and forming around your decoys. And to be sure, it works well. In addition, just about anything else over the years with weight has been used to anchor duck decoys. A common approach for years was to use plumbing fittings and such to keep your decoys from blowing away. And why not? They were easily accessible, relatively cheap and kept your decoys in check. But of course, you had to deal with them getting wrapped around each other constantly due to not being able to adhere to the decoy itself. It seems over the decades not much had changed to improve upon this basic functionality of decoy anchors. Until the advent of the J hook weights with a bungee type of rubber. Avery’s version of this they call the “keel grabber”. It is a fitting name since the anchor literally grabs a hold of the keel to keep it attached to the decoy and away from the weights of other decoys.
So how do the Avery keel grabbers work in the duck blind? I got my hands on some and gave them a try. The benefits of the keel grabbers are obvious even before using them:
Keeps the weights adhered to the bottom of the decoy. Strap weights went onto the neck or head of the decoys. Staying below the waterline keeps the damage done by the weights to an area that the ducks will never see.
The bungee portion of the setup allows for a good bond that won’t let go while in transport and saves many headaches from detangling the decoys once setting them out
The weight of the anchors is sufficient to keep the decoys where you want them.
The cons of such a system are mainly twofold to me:
First and foremost, these things are expensive. $30 for a dozen of the anchors with weights is the going rate. You can find strap weights for probably 1/3 of this cost.
And to a lesser extend the bungee cords have a limited life due to stretching and breaking (both due to being on the decoys (especially between seasons) but also due to getting caught in the weeds and breaking while retrieving your decoys).
Final thoughts? I would say these decoy anchors are a welcome addition to anyone’s decoy spreads. For the longevity of your decoys and their looks alone you have to like the system. In addition, the system works remarkably well and faster than the straps when it comes time to bring the decoys back in. This is especially true when the wind is whipping and your hands are getting cold from that classic duck hunting weather! I would suggest adding these to your duck hunting gear the next chance you get.