what knd of keel?

[the dude]

i am looking to buy some decoys. mostly will be hunting a small river and ditches and occasional pond. what kind of keel do i need? water or weighted?

[mulf]

How much walking will you be doing? I like the way weighted keels sit in the water and they are easier to put out but usually grab a bag of water keels if I'm humping a long ways off the road. They are a lot easier on the back.

[the dude]

walking is not a problem. what is the difference in them? i am new to waterfowl and really need help when it comes to this thanks

[mulf]

Water keels have just a hollow tube in them. You have to place them in the water and let the water fill the tube to keep them under. That makes them a lot lighter. Weighted keels are nearly the same but filled and sealed, usually filled with sand or the like. Some folks will take water keels and full them with sand and silicon the ends to make them weighted. Hope that helps.

[The_Duck_Hunter]

Weighted keels also right themselves in the water when you are tossing them in. Water keels, if they hit the water wrong will just float on their sides. Like mulf said, if a back ache isnt an issue, ten buy the weighted. They're worth the money.

[Andy Gehle]

I'm going to take another angle.
Sounds like you're new to waterfowling, so don't invest alot of money on this.
"mostly will be hunting a small river and ditches and occasional pond. what kind of keel do i need? water or weighted?"
You'll be MORE than fine buying 6 water keel decoys. More than 6 in a small river or ditch will be unnatural.
Weighted keels are more money. Their PRIMARY purpose is to keep the decoy upright in waves or choppy water. This will not be a concern for you in the water you intend to hunt.
When decoys started being made in plastics, guys that hunt bigger water needed something to keep waves from flipping them over. Hence the weighted keel. All cork decoys are popular with guys that hunt real big water, like The Great Lakes or the ocean.

So to answer your question as to what kind of decoys do you "need", either will do great for you. You can get a dozen weighted keels for $50 or a handful of water keels for less than $20.

[the dude]

thanks to all

[The_Duck_Hunter]

You make a very good point Andy. Come to think of it when I was young with little to no money, and just getting started, I bought water keels as well. I am on the inside looking out now, and just have my own personal prefrence.

[Andy Gehle]

Duck_Hunter,
You're the same age as me and all my family is from Celina. I wonder if we have some mutual aquaintences?

[The_Duck_Hunter]

Its quite possible!

My Mom is from Celina, and her 2 brothers and their families still live there.
I never held that against my mom though! lol