Recommend trap sizes

T

THE_MAIN_TRAPPER

New member
Hi so since I'm sortove a beginner predator trap I was wondering what was a good size of long spring and coil spring traps to use for coyote bobcat and fox? Also looking for best place to buy traps?? Thanks for all the help and really appreciate all the replys!
thumbup.gif
 
Hey :main trapper", are you by chance in the state of Maine? Actually whatever state you're in check to see if there are restrictions on the jaw spread size you can use. This can be the case esp. in states with Canada Lynx populations. You'll get alot of different op.s on this, but here's MY 2cents worth: I'm a big fan of Bridger #2's as I target coyotes. They hold anything else that comes along too, and right out of the box with no modifications they work. They can be 4 coiled if that 's ever necessary, they're a good value, rugged and dependable. They have a 6" jaw spread which is cool here in NH, but might not be everywhere so check it out.
 
I'm with you. Bridger #2 are great all around traps for k9s. I tend to jump up a size to #3 Bridger and Montanas when the chances of a yote are high. All my traps are offset, 4 coiled, and laminated. Although I do all this to my traps including baseplateing and center swiveling. Stock bridger traps with a good stake to anchor your trap will catch and hold coyotes and fox.
 
IM TYPING IN ALL CAPS SO THAT YOU KNOW I AM YELLING....

THERE IS NO EQUAL TO THE MB 550 OS. PERIOD. CLOSE THREAD.


I meant that, as far as coyote traps are concerned. There are some traps in the $25-35 range that when set up properly are dang good, but most have to be adjusted each time you set them, like the Jake and the MB 650. I have a few of each but set the 550s first.

For cats, I like sleepy creek 3s. I have half a dozen LPCs. They are of course great traps but with an impractical price tag.
If you want a big pan, wild river Victor #3 pans fit the sleepy creek perfectly.
 
Originally Posted By: lyotehunterbuy them from the man himself at Montgomery fur ogden Utah,terry's grandson runs the place now great people Haven't trapped in Utah in many years, have the trapping rules changed much? ie: no live/dead bait, leg holes..only full body? Or does it change from county to county? Thanks
 
Originally Posted By: CZ527IM TYPING IN ALL CAPS SO THAT YOU KNOW I AM YELLING....

THERE IS NO EQUAL TO THE MB 550 OS. PERIOD. CLOSE THREAD.


I meant that, as far as coyote traps are concerned. There are some traps in the $25-35 range that when set up properly are dang good, but most have to be adjusted each time you set them, like the Jake and the MB 650. I have a few of each but set the 550s first.

For cats, I like sleepy creek 3s. I have half a dozen LPCs. They are of course great traps but with an impractical price tag.
If you want a big pan, wild river Victor #3 pans fit the sleepy creek perfectly.
I will have to strongly disagree on a few parts of you statement. #1 A KB 5.5 will put hold a mb 550 every day, every minute. #2 MB 550 are dog on traps. Which means they are more apt to get messes up after a catch than a dog less trap like mb 650 and kb 5.5s. #3 It would take a tank to mess up a MB 650. Those things are bomb proof. I have a dozen and a half MB 650 os il/ol and they are mind blowing traps. They have caught and held everything from coons and fox to yotes and beaver for me. A 550 will catch and would yotes with out a doubt but there is little to no room for error. Where I live things freeze hard. I use a trap that will blow through a crust of frozen dirt and still hold. A 550 wouldn't be able to do that. #2 Bridget's are a great little trap for all around land trapping. Plus they cost a lot less tha. These other high end pieces of metal.
 
I have never, not one time, failed to get a full pad catch on a coyote or cat with a 550. If you think that a 550 gets damaged after a catch.... I can't help you. Look at that dog.... Never had a problem.

A 650 requires pan tension adjustment after every single catch. Period. Same as most any dogless or not that has a pan bolt.

I wouldn't be caught dead with a torture contraption like the KB 5.5 on my line. Well made? Absolutely. Ethical? No.

You were absolutely correct about one thing. 550s aren't good at breaking ice, but it's so rare here that I don't even bother working through it.

I probably don't know much about it though... I only caught 83 last year, 9 of them in the same set, with 550s, while working 60 hours a week. Just a hobby for me, not a livelihood.
 
Last edited:
Are you mentally challenged? A kb 5.5 is one of the most ethical foothold on the market today. You obviously know nothing about the kbs if that is what you are saying. Also there is no [beeep] need to adjust tension after every catch with a dog less trap. You might want to start doing a little reading up on today trapping standards and today's traps before you start making statements that are far from the truth. The design of a kb is to only apply as much pressure as needed. The harder a animal pulls the more spring tension is place on the jaws. When the animal lets up so does the trap. It also works as a shock spring. It cushions the blow when a animal hits the end of the chain instead of being jerked like hitting a brick wall the trap provides cushion. These are ahead of any other company as far as ethics and animal comfert
 
Last edited:
You alls pissin' contest is really doing alot to help out the newbie, 'The Main Trapper'. If I was brand new to a site and posted a question that started a pissin' contest like the above I most likely would be GONE.
What a wonderful representation of Predator Masters y'all are.
 
I'm not having a pissing match. Im just pointing out that the trap is not inhumane or unethical. I stated my opinion for the op which seem to be the general consensus that the bridger #2 would be his best bet. I apologize to the op if I got out of had. Just don't like hearing uneducated statements stating false facts.
 
You're correct NCWhitetail. I apologize. I never should've joined in this apparent moron's rant.

This thread will turn out about like the rest of this site. If you actually know something, there will be someone tell you how wrong you are.

Main Trapper,

Try out those 550s, I can tell you from experience that they are your best best. Also, invest in a pan tension tester like Sullivan's. That way, if you do get any traps with a lot of gadgets you will be able to adjust them properly at each set. I like about 2.5 lbs on everything. If I'm using expanded pans, I will go 3 1/2 to 4 lbs. I know that's a big jump, but I don't like catching skunks, raccoons or small cats. The jump in pan tension seems to help quite a bit.

See you guys later.
 
Last edited:
if you are just starting out the 550s are out of the box easiest to use. They cost more but you dont need to do much adjusting. they are night latched so you get the positive click when they pan is set.

that said if you do some research you can buy just about any brand trap, adjust it to the lb you want to set it off, night latch, paws i trip pan and the whole works for less then the mb550 BUT you do the work.

i went with the MB for the reason i dont feel like dicking with them. adjusted the weight down to 1.5 lbs, cleaned rusted em up good dyed waxed and got some critters.
 
Originally Posted By: THE_MAIN_TRAPPERHi so since I'm sortove a beginner predator trap I was wondering what was a good size of long spring and coil spring traps to use for coyote bobcat and fox? Also looking for best place to buy traps?? Thanks for all the help and really appreciate all the replys!
thumbup.gif


I have the MB 550 closed jaws, double coiled and ready to go out of the box other than de grease, dye and wax ... For the multi species you want to target, I think they would be the best...
Now if you really want to learn about traps and how to adjust them and tweak, Buy some dukes.. Cheap traps but need some adjustments... The 1.5 dukes are the best coon traps for the money IMO... Also if your in areas that might have someone walk off with a trap, your not going to cry over a 6 dollar trap compared to a 20$ one...
 
Told you you'd get some opinions. Might help to talk to trappers in your area. Early on, I found that many of the things I tried that worked well for trappers elsewhere didn't really suit my needs. Frozen ground and snow is a great example. The size of the coyotes you're catching may be another.
Check out your state's trapper's assoc. They'll likely have a rendezvous of some kind, maybe a few.
Join, go, check out what local trappers like. And good luck!
 
This is an old thread, but I came across it looking at trapping stuff so thought I'd throw my thoughts in. I am trying to get into coyote trapping and bought 3 traps: Bridger & Duke #2s and a MB 650, all of them with offset jaws and 4 coiled. I thought it would be good to compare the traps to find out what I like best. IMO you can read what others have to say all day, but personal experience is how you find what works best for YOU.

Side note: THE_MAIN_TRAPPER only posted 3 times and GTFO! Nice work fellas, hahaha!
 
Last edited:
When I was trapping coyotes many years ago I liked 4 coiled #3 Victors. I had some coyotes bend #2 traps and the coyotes around here are only 20 to 35 pound coyotes. I also learned very quickly to double stake every coyote trap.
 


Write your reply...
Back
Top