330's on the rocks!

[FivePointsJohn]

My creeks seem to have either a real sandy and rocks, or solid rock bottem in them. How do you stabiliz your 330's in them? Hal Sullivan stabalizers didn't fair too well in the sand and rock and are out of the question in my creek with the bed rock. John

[bnolan]

I bought a few stabilizers from a local fur and trap dealer this year, they are called KB Stabilizers made by Kurt Beauregard here in New York. I only know of one other dealer off hand that sells them and that is Gerald Schmitt at Schmitt Enterprises, Inc. Their website is at www.schmittent.com Give these a try, they work for the 110's up to the 330's.

[woody]

John, your best bet would be to get ahold of Uncle Nick and get some Spiders. You'll have to figure out a wat to attach the spider to the #330's so ;you don't lose them. woody

[trappnman]

Spiders are the way to go- for sure! works as good as anything in the rocks.

I normally sell both the 330 Spiders and the 110/160 Spiders...but am all out of the 330 size and won't get anymore this late Spring- try Nick...

[thefoxtrapper]

Might sound silly, but I always just use two or three or four good sized rocks propped on the springs, holds it good enough until something hits the trap, springs still kick out, dont use so many it cant move, just a couple decent ones to hold it steady, they also help guide in certain situations...quick, easy, and it works...

Winston

[trappnman]

you can also tie using cloth strips or use large rubber bands to the rocks-

[ColdSteel]

The method the foxtrapper described works well and os the easiest method I have found to use

[trappnman]

I have to disagree- while rocks layed over the springs work- its not the best or most desirable method, at least in my mind, by a long shot.

any that use rocks and don't have malfunctions from time to time is very lucky. Esp sets below any dams or where the beav has any momentum.

Trust me- I've used rocks many, many times.... and probably will again...but there are bettter ways.....

[ColdSteel]

Trappnman,I have to make this set on numerous creeks in my area and the only thing that gets a malfunction is that beaver or otter when he hits the trigger .I have had my trap thrown in these areas before but always thought it was a muskrat that hit the trap and missed him.In all these situations the dive poles were still in place and the set was not disturbed so I blame it on a muskrat.Until I find a better method I will continue to make my sets this way

[trappnman]

I suggest several better ways.. up to you if you want to try them or not...

Personally, I'd suspect some of those "muskrats" weren't.

[ColdSteel]

I see where you suggest the spiders I have never tried these.I am willing to try some you may be right I sure want to know if I am missing some otter.Do you know anyone else that carries these since you are out.

[Zagman]

KB Stabilizers is another option....they run adds in the Trapper all the time....have used them on 110's thru 330's, but mostly on 220's....

MZ

[thefoxtrapper]

I rarely use this method, cause usually I can find a spot in the creek to anchor with sticks, but every year I have a few spots that I use the rocks on, I personally dont notice anymore malfunctions than with any other sets, not to be a smartass steve, and Im not 100% successful at it, but the object is to get the animal through the trap, not beside it or over it, if the animal goes through the trap as he is supposed to, two large rocks on the springs will hold it until the trap fires...Im sure there are better methods, but this seems to be the quickest and easiest on the spot deal....I really cant say I like it, cause always a chance the rock shifts with the current and your trap moves, but if it stays anchored, I really dont see how it is any worse than two sticks as stabalizers...

Winston

[FivePointsJohn]

Has anyone one tried 2 rocks tight besides the jaws? You see my slab rocks are on average 3 foot by 5 foot by 6 inches thick. John

[trappnman]

ahmmmm.....

"I really cant say I like it, cause always a chance the rock shifts with the current and your trap moves"

;D

Try cutting pieces of an old sheet- strips an inch or so wide, and tie the spring to the rock- a lot more stable than just balancing rocks on the springs.

If you have (or can make out of old bike tire tubes) big rubber bands- those work in the same way.

I've used plain rocks for years-----but there is always that 1 location....

Nick is the only other source for Spiders....

[thefoxtrapper]

steve,

I will give it a try, always looking for ways to improve especially on the otter line....winston

[Bogmaster]

Several places that I trap--especially on some of the northern MN. walleye lakes are nothing but rocks,in the shallows.I place a flat type of rock under each of my spings,and as many rocks on top of the springs as it takes to stabilize the trap.I still run 2 cross sticks through the jaw corners.Many times I also block off the sides of the traps with rocks.Some of my castor mound sets end up looking like cat cubbies---but the bottom line is I catch beaver in them.If the trap is sprung,it usually has a beaver between the jaws.
Using what is available is the key,while in most of my sets,I am able to use one of my stabilizers--if rocks make that impossible,then I make the rocks work for me.
God I love trapping beaver!
Tom Olson

[trappnman]

stabilizers were invented for 1 reason- to hold a conibear firmly and to eliminate the need for hunting for and using sticks.

Spiders were invented for 1 reason- to hold a conibear firmly and to eliminate the need for hunting for and using rocks.

Sticks work.

Rocks work.

Stabilizers work better.

Spiders work better.

[Mark]

Gotta say I use rocks on the springs also. I am sure the stabilizers are better.

Try snares!! They work great. Just started using them this year and I love them. Picked up six beaver from the one area I am trapping now. (on day shift, so just hitting one spot now) Three of those beaver were caught in snares.

I like them for trails, slides, caster mounds, channels, anywhere. They are light, easy to set and when the beaver goes through them they are caught. No misses like with footholds.

Mark