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Post by Pinky "P" on Feb 23, 2010 8:31:06 GMT -6
Who uses 2 traps or just 1?
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Post by jaeger on Feb 23, 2010 8:35:27 GMT -6
2, too many doubles for only one trap
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Post by x-demoman on Feb 23, 2010 8:37:09 GMT -6
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Post by dspree on Feb 23, 2010 8:37:24 GMT -6
I was using one trap this year, but I think I am going to go to two traps next season. I was getting my bait stole too much with one trap.
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Post by Pinky "P" on Feb 23, 2010 10:51:59 GMT -6
Hey Jayme! Can you make me some of these fishstick stakes? |
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Post by 4fur on Feb 23, 2010 11:28:05 GMT -6
Nice set up Gene! I especially like the swiveling action which is so important with a FS to prevent foot damage. I use two traps because I am making a mink set that will also catch coon. In the absence of coon, one coil spring is my preference but I only have about a week in December where that works on my line (after the 1st cold snap and plowable snow that dens the coon hard). In areas up north, I think it is easier to find "mink only" areas but coon are about every where on my line. While doubles are possible using two traps, it's not common for my line. I like the #11 DJ for holding power, animal comfort and ease of bedding but the pan size is very small so two traps reduce stolen bait and misses. the best trick I know to reduce bait theft is to block the backside of the set with weeds or sticks which are always available where I'm setting for coon. The "water cubby" forces the animal to approach the set from the trap side.   Before...  After...  Another couple tricks to deal with bait theft is to leave the bait further out of the water if staking conditions allow, use 2-3 small bullheads rather than a big carp head, cover the top of the fence post with a molasses or sticky based lure or throw in a change up. IMO, wiring bait onto the stick takes too long but some do use it. My favorite change ups are LG's and cages...   A lot of my catches are caught by two feet and had a couple this year that had a toe or toe nail in one trap but were held firmly by the second trap. I'm sure I caught over 300 animals in fish sticks this year and only had 2 pull-outs and probably less than 10 stolen baits which I feel is remarkable! My last defense of using two traps is I only use this set later in the season when pockets won't work due to frozen banks, shelf ice, etc. and I have a lot of traps sitting in the shed. So I could probably set 4 traps per set and still not run out of steel. |
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Post by jaeger on Feb 23, 2010 11:43:18 GMT -6
I like to have a piece of wire at the top of my sticks and then I wrap the bait tight. Makes the coon work a little harder and they move their feet more. Just my preference.
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Post by kyle on Feb 23, 2010 11:58:50 GMT -6
4fur, did you abandon your LG set that resembles the regular fish stick? (the set that has the LG attatched to your stake and above the waterline)
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Post by Scott W. on Feb 23, 2010 12:03:24 GMT -6
I use two traps because of what I've read here. I too wire my heads to the stake, which in my case is an upsidedown 3/8" electric fence post that gets double duty on my pocket gopher line.
I am using a fence staple welded to the stake to keep the coon from "jacking" the stake as the universal swivel seems to slide down, but not up. However, after seeing Demoman's setup, I want to try it. I'm all for more swivels. Gene, do you notice any "jacking" or potential for it? Scott
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Post by ~ADC~ on Feb 23, 2010 13:15:23 GMT -6
Hey Jayme! Can you make me some of these fishstick stakes? Wouldn't be any trouble to make, just need to know what size rebar and how long and do you need the slice of pipe with the J-hooks off it? ~ADC~ |
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Post by Pinky "P" on Feb 23, 2010 14:36:05 GMT -6
I guess I'm not aware of the slice of pipe. I was thinking of just the stake like in this photo
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Post by Scott W. on Feb 23, 2010 14:53:34 GMT -6
Is that slice of pipe welded in place?
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Post by iowatrapper on Feb 23, 2010 17:07:36 GMT -6
I always use 2 traps.
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Post by 4fur on Feb 23, 2010 20:11:55 GMT -6
4fur, did you abandon your LG set that resembles the regular fish stick? (the set that has the LG attached to your stake and above the waterline) Yes I ditched that idea, Kyle. The zip ties I used were too cumbersome to attach it to the electric fence post with gloves in cold weather and fluctuating water levels and icing caused way more problems with the Grizz than with footholds. And of course they wouldn't catch a mink. Trapperjohn had an idea I really liked to stabilize them but I didn't have a chance to try it. I'll see if I can dig up a picture of the set up in case someone else can do something with the idea. |
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Post by x-demoman on Feb 23, 2010 20:24:57 GMT -6
Not welded Scott. That is my stake swivel. Don't like those flimsy wire thing they put on traps now days.
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Post by 4fur on Feb 23, 2010 20:44:18 GMT -6
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Post by roosterk0031 on Feb 23, 2010 21:24:13 GMT -6
Looks like you guys use carp heads, will bluegill/bass heads work just as well, The kids & I can catch way more of them. FS will be on my list of things to try next year.
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Post by mushroomcop on Mar 4, 2010 6:42:46 GMT -6
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Post by hillbillyken on Mar 4, 2010 8:56:30 GMT -6
Wayne- how many fence post do u have just trying to get an idea of how many a guy would need at any given time?
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Post by 4fur on Mar 4, 2010 11:35:32 GMT -6
I have no idea, HB.  I use them for fencing my pasture, the sweetcorn patch as well as for trapping. They are ideal for staking my muskrat traps since all my rat line is set off my tail gate or 4 wheeler and have 6 doz. 1 1/2 stoplosses and some regular 1 1/2's rigged with with about 12" of cable. Watch the fliers for your local farm store (Bomgaars in my area) and get them on sale. The lighter ones work but I prefer the heavy rerod ones. I picked up 2 bundles (50) last fall on sale for $1.05 but the last I saw were $1.89 not on sale. You don't have to buy bundles and can get them individually. If you are going to get a lot, I would try farm sales or asking any farmers you know who no longer have livestock. Another idea you might try is to advertise on the Shenandoah KMA radio Elephant Shop 800 234-5622 or 246-5000 local. It's a call in show that runs week days at 10 am.  |
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Post by iowatrapper on Mar 4, 2010 12:26:22 GMT -6
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Post by 4fur on Mar 4, 2010 12:36:55 GMT -6
Great pictures Iowa Trapper! Is that a staple you have on top the stake? How do you prevent the coon from working the set from behind the trap(s)? And what kind of stake are you using? Thanks!
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Post by iowatrapper on Mar 4, 2010 12:50:45 GMT -6
I use both 3/8 and 1/2 in rebar ranging from 36-48 in with the t welded about 10 in down. Yes I tried the staple thing on top and havent found that it made much of a difference. In the first pic im just zoomed in real far the bank is only about 1.5 ft to the left, so I put 2 traps between the stake and the bank in a V pattern about 6 in off center and 6 in towards the bank. I use nice big carp heads with fish oil squirted on it. In the other pic there is a sort of sandbar that makes it shallow where they run across so I set both traps on that "trail' in the water even in the wide open as in the 2nd photo. Here is why I use two traps: Notice to the left there are 2 coons caught in the FS and then just a coon on the bank to the right.  |
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Post by 4fur on Mar 4, 2010 13:03:14 GMT -6
Great explanation IT! Love the triple picture!  |
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Post by coontrapper on Mar 4, 2010 15:33:42 GMT -6
Don't the trapped coon tear each other all to hell?
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Post by jaeger on Mar 4, 2010 16:12:21 GMT -6
Seems to me, the younger the coon caught, the less damage they do to each other.
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Post by roosterk0031 on Mar 4, 2010 16:57:59 GMT -6
I'd think those 2 would have to of been siblings.
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Post by x-demoman on Mar 4, 2010 21:53:01 GMT -6
1/2" rerod 30" top about 4"
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I use them for fencing my pasture, the sweetcorn patch as well as for trapping. They are ideal for staking my muskrat traps since all my rat line is set off my tail gate or 4 wheeler and have 6 doz. 1 1/2 stoplosses and some regular 1 1/2's rigged with with about 12" of cable. Watch the fliers for your local farm store (Bomgaars in my area) and get them on sale. The lighter ones work but I prefer the heavy rerod ones. I picked up 2 bundles (50) last fall on sale for $1.05 but the last I saw were $1.89 not on sale. You don't have to buy bundles and can get them individually.
