Layout Hunters Roll Call

[lwingwatcher]

I am joinin the club this fall with the purchase of a new MLB in August. Our crew just got one but we plan on having two to float when the ducks are flyin.

Ok diver hunters, who all layout hunts?

[Big Frank 25]

MLB?

[orion]

Theres nothing better than laying below the waterline watching for those 70 mph birds.

[lwingwatcher]

Mighty Layout Boys, a sweet one man layout boat

mightylayoutboys.com

They will be have a booth at the Saginaw Bay Waterfowlers Clinic on 8/18 and I would assume other shows too. Cabelas is now carrying them as well. A truly hunting oriented manufacturer and the owner, Mark Rongers is the greatest guy you will ever meet. One serious waterfowler...

There will also be one at the Fuge Fest, 8/17 in Alma, Michigan

[MI Duck Hunter]

Layout = Fall asleep

Bobbing Like a Cork in Big Water = Puking my Guts Out (then falling asleep)

Sounds fun, I need an MLB

MIDH

[Goldy]

Sometimes, for no apparent reason, I have to go out to the garage just to look at my MLB. Can't wait to get it wet this year!

[Camo Man]

MIDH, some of the guys have not yet discovered that there can be such a thing as a down side to layout hunting. (Don't let the cat out of the bag, yet.) Fortunately, the down side is small when compared to the up side. The cork on which I lay on my back and ride the big waves is slightly larger and a lot heavier; the Bankes Hurcules. I will probably eventually also own a MLB too, for when I want to hunt without a tender crew. :)

[lwingwatcher]

T'ain't no down side there CamoMan, pickin the water where the ducks wanna be, get in and get out.

Besides, I won't have to listen to anybody snorin cuz we aren't set up in the spot the birds wanna be.

Guess there is a down side after all. Duck season is only so many days...

[Camo Man]

For having no down side, I wonder why I have so many duck hunting friends that, "used to own layout boats", who no longer do? There is a down side to just about everything. I wish I could be there the first time you hunt your layout in a really big storm. :D

[GoneFishin]

Why would anybody with a perfectly good boat with comfortable seats and a blind. Want to lay on their back and shoot from a sitting position in bouncing cork? ;)

I must be getting old as I don't feel that adventurous.:)

[lwingwatcher]

In your face divers, that's why.

When I go out, I don't wanna see ducks, I wanna kill them.

[goosewa]

lwingwatcher,

I took a look at an MLB at the Cabela's in Dundee at the end of last season. Looked like a nicely built boat. Appears to be the only pumpkinseed style layout built with full level flotation. There was alot of thought and planning that went into that boat to be Certified by the USCG.

But, I will have to admit that I think it is a bit on the small side for where we hunt in Lake Erie. The weather on that lake can turn from good to absolute hell in the drop of a hat.

We had 3 hunts last year when the wind was dead calm in the morning. By early afternoon the wind changed to the Southwest and the seas had built to 4 to 6 foot. The best place to be was in the layout, as long as waves were not going over the coaming. You would definately get beat up in the tender/chase boat.

Since were on the subect? Has anyone in this forum shot out of one of these boats in deep water? How was the stability? Was the coaming sufficient to keep the waves out side the coffin? What is your overall opinion?

Right now we are running (2) 2 man Kalash boats. These boats have performed very well in the conditions we shoot and have happened to take alot of ducks. The MLB would be a welcome addition for a 5th person in our set.

FYI: Mark Rongers is a member of another local internet forum. If you would like I can send you the URL to that site if you would like to talk to him about the MLB. I am sure that it is a nice boat but, I would like to hear some imput from owners first.

-Goosewa

[lwingwatcher]

goosewa:

I believe that I know of the site that you are referring to as Mighty Layout Boys happens to be a sponsor on the Refuge.

I have met Mark personally and he is one heck of a great guy. If you have questions regarding shooting in high seas, give him a bump. I am told that the boats are ok up to 6 footers but, you won't get me out their in those waves. You could also go on the MLB site and chat with owners.

Also, they are about to come out with Columbia Wear Layout Camo in raingear that matches the boat to a tee. The new rain gear is not the stuff that is on their website right now. MLB owners will get a discount as well.

[goosewa]

lwingwatcher,

I hate to say it. The real shooting starts when the bigger waves start rolling in. Nothing gets your heart moving faster.

Thanks for the heads up on the Columbia Gear. Think I may have to take a look.

-Goosewa

[lwingwatcher]

Not my heart that I am worried about, it is my stomach...

[thebellman]

Sounds like everyone’s get pumped!

I can't wait for the season to get here, have to make it through Bear season first (finally after 15 yrs. I drew a permit) LOOK OUT YOGI!

I hunt with a crew that now consists of a one man Igor Fox (one of a handful ever made, a homemade version, which resemble a one man Kalash, and my two man Kalash.

Found that I like the way the wood boats ride in the water.

Have some fine-tuning to work on for the up coming year.

Just remember BOYZ that when the water gets rough the shootin can get good, but there is no duck in the world worth taking the final swim. So know when to pull out! Next to sink box huntin, I believe layout huntin is the most dangerous form of waterfowling and also the most taken for granted.

[goosewa]

Bellman,

You are exactly right.

Layout hunting requires you to be 110% committed. Your basically putting YOUR life in the hand(s) of the people running the tender. This commitment also includes "trust" in your crew and also in your boat. Alot of things can happen and quick when the weather changes for the worse.

Where do you shoot?

-Goosewa

[Firetiger]

Thebellman,,congrats on the bear permit,,
took out the calls and started practicing, shook the windows,,
won't be long...hope for at least 60 days

[thebellman]

Goosewa,

We Layout in a variety of spots on our side of the Lake, we can usually be found near Brandenburg Park, Selfridge, South River Road, etc..

Have little desire to Hunt Canadian waters or put up with their socialistic views. Near met anyone from there who really cares for us Americans, at least not until someone’s threatening them!

Do allot of hunting at Harsens, Fisher Bay, and Lil Muscamot.

Got out allot last year!

Can't wait.

[MichiganMark]

The MLB guys are all class guys. They're a bunch of everyday guys that love to duck hunt and decided to go into business. A couple years ago I bought boat #007 and have become good friends with Mark Rongers and friends.

Go to the link below and see some pic's from Saginaw Bay using my MLB and my buddies using their Banke's layout. It also explains why I got into layout hunting.

Now... can you guys tell me where to hunt the ThunderBay River?
I bought a Cabin their last fall and am doing a little scouting every other weekend when I'm up there. I'll be checking out Fletchers Pond and Thunder Bay in the coming weeks, also I hear there is a goose hunt loto for hunting the refuge in downthow... anyone know where I can find out more?

http://www.mightylayoutboys.com/domino/mlb/MLB_products.nsf/88c8931aaec070e185256a9c00038c5e/f59f69660b3a44de85256b11001563e8?OpenDocument

If the link doesn't work go to www.mightylayoutboys.com and go to the testimonials page.

[ahartz]

Hey Bellman, sounds like we layout the same waters. After reading the posts on layout hunting I want to advise anyone who is considering getting into layout hunting...DONT..you wont like it it is dangerous and expensive and really doesnt kill many ducks....seriously though I have layed in a MLB one man and it flet like I was laying on a plank of wood with canvas trim(coaming). way to small for me and my peice of mind needs. I am a big round guy, 6 foot, 260lb. I need more space than a MLB can provide. We hunt a two man Kalash and I havent found another one I liked as much. The ron bankes boats are nice but expensive. Is Kalash still making boats?? I have heard yes and no over the past few years. Need to get out the mother lines, patch some heads, nice shooting jerry, and so on ....andy

[goosewa]

Andy,

Kalash is still building boats but for very close friends. We still need to talk about getting together for a hunt. I would love to shoot St. Clair if your interested in shooting Erie. PM me if your interested.

We usually get a good number of guys out and filling a layout for a rotation is not a problem. Now you have me thinking about those 50 bird weekends.........

-goosewa

-Goosewa

[Firetiger]

check PM's goose

[Canadian Hunter]

Bellman I bite my tongue!

Doesnt bother me if you dont want too hunt this side of the river. But when your season is done, dont start whining about no birds being down yet, myself and a few others from Michigan will be tearing up the divers for a couple more weeks!

[ahartz]

Hey do you guys ever boat blind hunt while tending to the layout at the same time, same boat. I question the safety of this, how many of you do this. Wouldnt it spook birds from the layout and be unsafe from a tender boat readiness point of view...whats everyone else do??..andy

[lwingwatcher]

The tender is just that a tender. No boat blind set for the tender.

I guess on certain water it may be ok, safe to do it from a distance but certainly not on heavy water.