Good review. I’ve had mine for 4 years and it’s holding up great. I fell in the water setting up decoys in my waders. Turned on my big buddy heater and stripped down and it was warm in the boat on a 40° day. My biggest con is like you said. Once the blind is up you are IN the blind. So folding it over to get the dog back in is a bit cumbersome
Great video. From what I can tell, everyone has problems getting gadwalls to decoy. LOL. Have you ever hunted the Currituck sound? I've wanted to go but never had the right boat for the job.
Great blind review supper helpful because i’m looking for my next blind. My last blind was made by banded as well and I had the same problems with the grass attachment loops popping off from dry-rot on the second year! BTW if you where running TSS18 those 50 yard duck would be dead with your shooting ability! Nice shooting and great review….
Hey Brock, I appreciate such a nice response to the video. Good luck with finding the right blind and I also appreciate the tips on ammo. I think I was shooting Winchester Super x this day.
@@ericwilliamsfishing Wow if your smashing like that with super X that awesome. I load all my own TSS18 waterfowl ammo but I remember I bought a few cases of super X BB for late season had to be a decade ago. I couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn! It was my lack of a lead not Winchester’s ammo! I reached out to bust em blinds for a quote for my old 17 footer aluminum craft. We’ll see if they quote it for me! I’m looking for a hard blind because I don’t fish out of this boat she’ll just a fixer upper and with most new duck boats selling for 30k plus! I’ll keep fixing It’s like building my own ammo it’s part of the process!
I’ve used one for 7 years and love it. The open top is my biggest con. Hard to cover your head when birds are working overhead. I put snaps everywhere there is Velcro.
Great video, I was also in the same "boat" as you needing something custom that would fit my rig and motor so I made mine instead and just purchased the cover on sale from beavertail. Here in Canada the cost for 16 footer is $1400 made mine for $300 including the cost of the canvas. If anyone else reads this and needs a modified version its not that hard to figure out. The big con for me is been trying to figure out a way to conceal the 3 black holes that are totally obvious to spooky puddle ducks from above. I don't like the angled piece they have as an option as it will take up way too much room and looks cumbersome. 3 hinged panels that I can snap on and off quickly that store well in the boat perhaps? Its been 3 years and still trying to come up with a solution. Mess top panels has been one of my ideas that you can just push off the velcro when you stand up to shoot. Also plan on sewing 3 mesh windows on the front side of the blind about 12 inches x 6 inches for when we are diver hunting.
Yeah man. I’ve always had that issue for any ducks that come in from above. I’m glad you were able to work up something for your rig at a much more affordable route.
My biggest con is retrieving birds. Not the easiest thing to do especially with the top blind cover on, but we found a way. The second con is not being able to drive or move location with the blind up, unless you have a console style boat. Other than that it’s a great blind. It makes you spoiled really fast. Blocking wind and saved us from a constant rain storm. It’s not waterproof but it still got us out of the weather.
I typically hunt one spot and dont move but you are right that it would be a pain to move around much. I am in shallow water so I get out to get my birds and its a delicate process. Haha
Thanks for the video, two questions 1- when getting in and out are you crawling over the sides or the front? 2- can you hunt with your dog with this blind? Thanks again
I lift up the backside that I’m not hunting out of and slide under it. It’s not ideal but it’s easy. Keeps from having to take it down. Yes, I have a dog slot it in since this video but my lab doesn’t care about fetching ironically. Haha.
How do you get in and out of the boat when retrieving birds? Do you have to break blind down to get out of it? Also you're not able to drive with it up, are you?
@ericwilliamsfishing I have hunted buzzards bay and other places around topsail I just bought a 16 ft John boat yesterday and my buddy Seth ha some of these blinds I'm gonna see if it will fit my boat hole it does they look great
First off I hope y’all are safe after the hurricane. Secondly, I’m seriously considering pulling the trigger on one of these blinds, I see you out of the boat retrieving but how is it getting back into the boat? Do you have to drop the blind down or is there a spot you can slip back in?
We are good on the coast. Thanks for the nice comment. You have to lift the blind up and slide out of the back. That’s the toughest part of this blind when you are in waders. It’s worth the hassle though. This blind is awesome.
@@ericwilliamsfishing Gotcha. Loved the look and the video. We hunt nc coast alot and have always just set up on the bank with panel blinds and had to hide the boat 100 yards plus away. Thanks for the video.
I’ve got one of these too and my biggest complaint is getting in and out to get ducks. Have you ever thought about making a door somewhere or do you just flip it up every time you get in and out
I find it is the easiest to come in on the backside where the water is typically shallower. You also don't have to fix the grass in the front that the ducks would see.
Also if you’re a big guy it gets a little snug when you have 3/4 guys in the boat. I’m 6’2” 250 and had one more in the boat same size. No problem. Just take turns with shooting because you will cross into each others paths and it’s fucking loud as hell inside the blind when everyone pops off!!
Thanks for taking the time to drop all of this insight. I have only hunted with two people and I think that is the perfect amount before you start getting cramped.
Really enjoyed this hunt. Looking forward to the next one bud.
Yasssirrrrr!
Thanks for sharing that info!! Looked like an awesome time, I’ve never done it from a boat!
I am learning about how it goes and its honestly been pretty smooth so far. The blind was alot of work but when it's done, it's done.
@@ericwilliamsfishing it looks awesome on your boat and you explained well. I’m still saving to get me an aluminum boat!!
great video, needed this, thank you
Thank you, buddy. Enjoy it if you get one.
Good review. I’ve had mine for 4 years and it’s holding up great. I fell in the water setting up decoys in my waders. Turned on my big buddy heater and stripped down and it was warm in the boat on a 40° day. My biggest con is like you said. Once the blind is up you are IN the blind. So folding it over to get the dog back in is a bit cumbersome
That makes sense. My dog doesn’t fetch so he is more of an emotional support dog on the boat. 🤣
Great video. From what I can tell, everyone has problems getting gadwalls to decoy. LOL. Have you ever hunted the Currituck sound? I've wanted to go but never had the right boat for the job.
I haven’t. It was such a haul to hunt locally and I’ve never been a fan of the idea of leaving the house at midnight to be somewhere in time. Haha.
@@ericwilliamsfishingeven farther for me. Having to check in on Knotts Island at 5:15 makes it even tougher.
Great blind review supper helpful because i’m looking for my next blind. My last blind was made by banded as well and I had the same problems with the grass attachment loops popping off from dry-rot on the second year! BTW if you where running TSS18 those 50 yard duck would be dead with your shooting ability! Nice shooting and great review….
Hey Brock, I appreciate such a nice response to the video. Good luck with finding the right blind and I also appreciate the tips on ammo. I think I was shooting Winchester Super x this day.
@@ericwilliamsfishing Wow if your smashing like that with super X that awesome. I load all my own TSS18 waterfowl ammo but I remember I bought a few cases of super X BB for late season had to be a decade ago. I couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn! It was my lack of a lead not Winchester’s ammo!
I reached out to bust em blinds for a quote for my old 17 footer aluminum craft. We’ll see if they quote it for me! I’m looking for a hard blind because I don’t fish out of this boat she’ll just a fixer upper and with most new duck boats selling for 30k plus! I’ll keep fixing It’s like building my own ammo it’s part of the process!
I’ve used one for 7 years and love it. The open top is my biggest con. Hard to cover your head when birds are working overhead. I put snaps everywhere there is Velcro.
Yeah. My experience is that they either come in or they do a drive by and keep trucking. Snaps is a good idea to help with the velcro issue.
Great video, I was also in the same "boat" as you needing something custom that would fit my rig and motor so I made mine instead and just purchased the cover on sale from beavertail. Here in Canada the cost for 16 footer is $1400 made mine for $300 including the cost of the canvas. If anyone else reads this and needs a modified version its not that hard to figure out. The big con for me is been trying to figure out a way to conceal the 3 black holes that are totally obvious to spooky puddle ducks from above. I don't like the angled piece they have as an option as it will take up way too much room and looks cumbersome. 3 hinged panels that I can snap on and off quickly that store well in the boat perhaps? Its been 3 years and still trying to come up with a solution. Mess top panels has been one of my ideas that you can just push off the velcro when you stand up to shoot. Also plan on sewing 3 mesh windows on the front side of the blind about 12 inches x 6 inches for when we are diver hunting.
Yeah man. I’ve always had that issue for any ducks that come in from above. I’m glad you were able to work up something for your rig at a much more affordable route.
My biggest con is retrieving birds. Not the easiest thing to do especially with the top blind cover on, but we found a way. The second con is not being able to drive or move location with the blind up, unless you have a console style boat. Other than that it’s a great blind. It makes you spoiled really fast. Blocking wind and saved us from a constant rain storm. It’s not waterproof but it still got us out of the weather.
I typically hunt one spot and dont move but you are right that it would be a pain to move around much. I am in shallow water so I get out to get my birds and its a delicate process. Haha
@@ericwilliamsfishing what was your way of getting in and out of the boat to retrieve birds?
Great video. Thanks! Are there any entry points for a dog?
I added the doggy door but it's not very user friendly, tbh. I think the easiest in would be to let him in the backside thats up by the bank.
Thanks for the video, two questions
1- when getting in and out are you crawling over the sides or the front?
2- can you hunt with your dog with this blind?
Thanks again
I lift up the backside that I’m not hunting out of and slide under it. It’s not ideal but it’s easy. Keeps from having to take it down.
Yes, I have a dog slot it in since this video but my lab doesn’t care about fetching ironically. Haha.
Curious how tall are you and how wide are the openings on the boat blind. Always wanted to hunt OBX. We stay down in Hatters Village every year
I’m 6’1, 220. I’d say they are 3’x3’
How do you get in and out of the boat when retrieving birds? Do you have to break blind down to get out of it? Also you're not able to drive with it up, are you?
You can’t drive with it up. I slide out of the back while it’s still anchored and walk around.
@ericwilliamsfishing ok thanks I'm probably going to purchase one
It’s the best blind I’ve found with ease of use.
Eric, did you sell the nauti? Know you were at your end with it.
Yes sir. It’s been gone for a couple months now.
how do you get in and out of it when you retreave your ducks?
I lift the back up and slide out without taking anything down. Its really easy.
Was this the OBX or around Wilmington area ?
I’ve used it in both places
@ericwilliamsfishing I have hunted buzzards bay and other places around topsail I just bought a 16 ft John boat yesterday and my buddy Seth ha some of these blinds I'm gonna see if it will fit my boat hole it does they look great
How do you get in and out of the boat?
Lift up the backside and step into it. It doesn’t matter if the grass falls back flat because it has the backdrop of the grass on the shoreline.
Are you hunting in the middle of the ICW? It looks like you have houses all around you.
Yes sir.
First off I hope y’all are safe after the hurricane. Secondly, I’m seriously considering pulling the trigger on one of these blinds, I see you out of the boat retrieving but how is it getting back into the boat? Do you have to drop the blind down or is there a spot you can slip back in?
We are good on the coast. Thanks for the nice comment.
You have to lift the blind up and slide out of the back. That’s the toughest part of this blind when you are in waders.
It’s worth the hassle though. This blind is awesome.
What size boat and beaver tail is that? I watched twice and obviously missed it both times
It’s a 16’ skiff and I cut down the larger beavertail to make it fit.
@@ericwilliamsfishing
Gotcha. Loved the look and the video. We hunt nc coast alot and have always just set up on the bank with panel blinds and had to hide the boat 100 yards plus away. Thanks for the video.
I’ve got one of these too and my biggest complaint is getting in and out to get ducks. Have you ever thought about making a door somewhere or do you just flip it up every time you get in and out
I find it is the easiest to come in on the backside where the water is typically shallower. You also don't have to fix the grass in the front that the ducks would see.
Haha, 43 degrees. I'd be too hot lol. Good video though. Come hunt with us sometime.
I feel like I live in the take off and put back on with hunting gear. Haha.
Also if you’re a big guy it gets a little snug when you have 3/4 guys in the boat. I’m 6’2” 250 and had one more in the boat same size. No problem. Just take turns with shooting because you will cross into each others paths and it’s fucking loud as hell inside the blind when everyone pops off!!
Thanks for taking the time to drop all of this insight. I have only hunted with two people and I think that is the perfect amount before you start getting cramped.