Cody Stokes – Divebomb Creator

September 4, 2019

Divebomb Decoys. You’ve heard the name, probably hunted over them by now, and likely even own a few dozen (or hundred dozen). They are the makers of the most popular goose decoys we’ve seen in a long time. Divebomb Industries was established 2011 by Cody Stokes. Since then, they’ve blown up into what is the best-marketed and most versatile waterfowl hunting decoy in the game. We wanted to hear more about the owner and founder of DB and get some more background about the company, so Will Poston for Split Reed had a talk with Cody.

SR: Cody, tell us a little bit about how you started waterfowl hunting?

Cody: My parents were divorced, and my father lived overseas when I was a kid. My Mom had a boyfriend that was pretty cool—big company, fast cars and duck club. My Mom would call me in sick so I could hunt the weather days with him and his friends. Shot my first green head and saw my first playboy magazine in the same day as a kid.

SR: What was your favorite type of hunting growing up?

Cody: Does backyard hunting count? I had amazing shot on a squirrel with my bow off my grandpas back porch. Called the shot and to this day maybe the best shots of my life. Yes, we ate it.

SR: When did you first start thinking about starting a decoy company?

Cody: My first obsession was fishing. I still love it but hunting really took over in college. With waterfowl on the brain and some business opportunities to take advantage of, I started Dive Bomb.

SR: When did you have that all-in moment and how did Dive Bomb Industries become a reality?

Cody: I sold the first silhouettes I ever made via craigslist. I did not have a brand/logo nor a website. I was constantly thinking of names. One evening scouting in Canada a friend asked what I was naming the brand and before I could answer the driver screamed, “look at them Dive Bombing!” Boom, there it was.

SR: What was Dive Bomb’s first product?

Cody: Canada Silhouettes. Feeder position only. Different from what we sell now but still good looking. Wish I still had a complete, original set. I used to spray paint the logo on the boxes in my backyard.

SR: Tell us a little bit about Dive Bomb Industries. In a couple sentences, how would you describe it to someone unfamiliar with Dive Bomb?

Cody: We have been direct to consumer since day one, before it was the latest craze. Our product quality is BETTER than the big box retailers at a lower price and we actually offer customer service. We have earned our customer base and have seen steady growth over the last 9 years. We are not an overnight success.

SR: Did your personal hunting style play a role in Dive Bomb focusing on silhouettes and silo-sock style decoys?

Cody: I ran 5 dozen honker shells, as it was all I could afford. I watched the big groups roll over my head. Barriers to entry with full bodies and shells were too high (tooling cost) so silhouettes were the alternative. At the time, there were not any silos on the market that were affordable or good looking. All products after the Canada Silos were requested via our customer base.

SR: What makes Dive Bomb decoys different from competitors’ decoys?

Cody: Material, quality, looks, PRICING and the service that comes with joining the brand.

SR: There is no ‘one size fits all’ spread, but what are some of your favorite techniques for using Dive Bomb decoys?

Cody: With decoys at this price I always suggest going big. I like to run the V2F Canadas and M1 mallards mixed in Saskatchewan. Quite a pretty spread I must say, and both the honkers and mallards eat it up.

SR: You guys now have silos and silo-socks for Canadians, specks, snows, blues, mallards, pintails, and Sandhill cranes. Does Dive Bomb have any new projects in the works/what’s next for Dive Bomb Industries?

Cody: We have floaters coming down the pipe really soon. World champion carver, great tool makers and painters, 6 completely individual carvings where most in the industry have 2 carvings and only change the head position… These should will also retail about 25% less than some of what were ‘once the best decoys on the market’.

SR: How can interested waterfowlers add some Dive Bomb decoys to their spread?

Cody: Get your buddies to go in on 5 dozen to take advantage of quantity pricing. Go to the site and buy.