Big decoy/general purpose bag?

[Big Mat]

I currently use one of these bags when decoying on the ouse washes:

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/large-decoy-bag-49-tall-waterproof-/112249813017?_trksid=p2141725.m3641.l6368

 

Can get all my hide, poles, usually about 10 decoys and cartridges etc, leaving just my stick and chair to carry.

 

However it's not the most comfortable and after several seasons of abuse ( i bought it second hand ) it's knackered.

 

I've been looking at this as the replacement:

 

http://www.outdoorgb.com/p/jack_pyke_120_litre_decoy_bag/

 

Any reviews or suggestions of anything else to look at?

 

thanks

mat

[oowee]

For me a lot of these so called carry all bags are very poorly designed. OK if you shoot once every couple of weeks or so they will last a while. Very few of the bags can be filled and then slid across the floor of a truck without cutting through the material. Whilst JP stuff is normally pretty good, when i see an elastic cartridge holder on the outside of a carry all, I think 'Please' who designs this **** your having a laugh. 600D Cordura is good but it looks like this is only on the straps. If it were me I would look for a heavy canvas ex army holdall. I got mine from Kevin Endicott in exceter who will customise bags for not a lot. I think I paid £17. Used at least twice a week for 4 years and still good.

[mudpatten]

I`ve got four of those Jack Pyke bags, two each for duck and pigeon decoys and, for the price, I thoroughly rate them.

 

They`re well designed and one can carry a lot of weight comfortably over a long distance. It sits high enough that it is`nt constantly banging into the back of your legs.

 

I carry my duck deeks in a net bag inside the JP bag so I can "float" the net bag full of deeks when setting out and collecting them, rather than randomly throwing them from the shore, which eliminates having to use the JP bag in the water.

 

I too don`t use the external cartridge carrier but don`t be put off by that unnecessary bit of over icing.

[Big Mat]

I`ve got four of those Jack Pyke bags, two each for duck and pigeon decoys and, for the price, I thoroughly rate them.

 

They`re well designed and one can carry a lot of weight comfortably over a long distance. It sits high enough that it is`nt constantly banging into the back of your legs.

 

I carry my duck deeks in a net bag inside the JP bag so I can "float" the net bag full of deeks when setting out and collecting them, rather than randomly throwing them from the shore, which eliminates having to use the JP bag in the water.

 

I too don`t use the external cartridge carrier but don`t be put off by that unnecessary bit of over icing.

How many decoys are you fitting into one?

 

I'd be looking at getting a hide net and a least 6 wigeon decoys in?

Edited January 22, 2017 by Big Mat

[Konnie]

Got one of the JP bags without the side pockets, and its ok for the job. Remember if it gets too big heavy you still have to carry it, got the really big flambue ones pigeons ok, full of weighted ducks you wouldn't want to carry it far.

[Big Mat]

Got one of the JP bags without the side pockets, and its ok for the job. Remember if it gets too big heavy you still have to carry it, got the really big flambue ones pigeons ok, full of weighted ducks you wouldn't want to carry it far.

 

The JP bag being a little smaller than my current one is whats drawn me to it, i'm trying to lighten what i carry. I've had the big bag loaded up with two big hide nets, 15 wigeon decoys, cartridges, hide poles, gun etc and it's just too heavy, and then one strap broke as i had it loaded so much, and that was without any ducks as they were on a game carrier!

[Delwint]

I use the same bag as you Big Mat, the straps are too far apart, the straps also loosen so after walking more than 5/10 minutes it's smashing into the back of your legs and the materials not that strong I've only had mine a short time and already it has small tears in it from decoy shells. On a plus note I can get all my hide poles in, 10 full bodied deeks, 12 shells, a grounsheet and 4 hide nets.

[anser2]

Quote " I've had the big bag loaded up with two big hide nets, 15 wigeon decoys, cartridges, hide poles, gun etc "

 

Your age is starting to catch up with you Mat . LOL

 

 

But seriously I know what you mean. I have the same trouble. It might be an idea to look at your whole kit rather than just the bag. I use a similar Jack Pike bag in Max 5 with no the side pockets and cartridge loops. It cost £24 a few years ago , but think they are around £30 today. I have 3 of them each with a different decoying rig for the river\foreshore or boat.The oldest bag is 8 years old and starting to show signs of wear from the hide poles. It will carry 16 duck decoys or 12 shell goose decoys, hide , poles and a box of shells without any problem. Once the straps are correctly adjusted it sits on your shoulder well. Ho0vever there some ways to lighted your load. Get a light weight hide. I use a desert patten plastic mesh which weights about a pound . Being plastic will not absorb water and get heavy when wet. Its only 10 feet x 5 but is just long enough to do the job of hiding me and my lab. When inland I use light 3 weight metal poles with a kick plate as its surprising how hard the marsh can be in dry weather. On the coast I use 3 hazel poles. With a fourth pole doubling as a wading pole. By using a mother line you can reduce the weight of lead anchors and use an anchor with spikes will save a few oz. And the decoys. There is a great variance between the weight of some decoys, so replace with light ones and perhaps use a number of the small teal decoys on the spread.

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Jack-Pyke-120-L-Litre-Decoy-Bag-English-Oak-Woodland-Green-Rucksack-Shooting-New-/282103233362?var=&hash=item41aea9bb52:m:mG-8FQ19f0duAFK4rutn_Uw

Edited January 22, 2017 by anser2

[Big Mat]

Quote " I've had the big bag loaded up with two big hide nets, 15 wigeon decoys, cartridges, hide poles, gun etc "

 

Your age is starting to catch up with you Mat . LOL

 

 

But seriously I know what you mean. I have th4 same trouble. It might be an idea to look at your whole kit rather than just the bag. I use a similar Jack Pike bag with no the side pockets and cartridge loops. It cost £24 a few years ago , but think they are around £30 today. I have 3 of them each with a different decoying rig for the river\foreshore or boat.The oldest bag is 8 years old and starting to show signs of wear from the hide poles. It will carry 16 duck decoys or 12 shell goose decoys, hide , poles and a box of shells without any problem. Once the straps are correctly adjusted it sits on your shoulder well. Ho0vever there some ways to lighted your load. Get a light weight hide. I use a desert patten plastic mesh which weights about a pound . Being plastic will not absorb water and get heavy when wet. Its only 10 feet x 5 but is just long enough to do the job of hiding me and my lab. When inland I use light 3 weight metal poles with a kick plate as its surprising how hard the marsh can be in dry weather. On the coast I use 3 hazel poles. With a fourth pole doubling as a wading pole. By using a mother line you can reduce the weight of lead anchors and use an anchor with spikes will save a few oz. And the decoys. There is a great variance between the weight of some decoys, so replace with light ones and perhaps use a number of the small teal decoys on the spread.

 

I've been trying to lighten the load of all my gear just to make it a nicer walk out. I've got a dodgy shoulder ( too much rugby! ) which I'm trying not to make any worse and i was finding that it was hurting alot, simple things like leaving the big pintail decoys behind and taking a lighter gun on the long walks. No point looking the tough guy carrying all the gear when i could do just as well with half as much stuff!

 

I shot yesterday morning, took the 20 bore, box of cartridges, 6 wigeon decoys with 4 oz weights, 4 poles and net. All on the bag and half the weight of what i usually carry and it was much more pleasant than what i usually carry!

 

I've never used a motherline, as usually i'm just decoying a splash on the shore or the ouse washes where i either wade out or chuck them out, i've trained the dog to fetch them back if the waters too deep to wade. I may perhaps look into a motherline for next season

[Big Mat]

Well i bought the jack pyke bag as my other big bag gained a 2ft long split in it as i walked onto the washes one morning.

 

Loaded it up with two hide nets, 14 mixed wigeon/mallard/teal/pintail decoys, 4 hide poles, lunch, 50 cartridges and calls, ear defenders etc. Might nicer to carry than my other bag with the same load! Was still room for 10 duck or so as well

[mossy835]

i got the jack pyke bag good bags. hold lots.

[dazb1967]

i got the jack pyke bag good bags. hold lots.

Same here, holds more than enough and the build quality is good, had it 2 year now and still going strong