ok decided on some 750s and belisle 330s. next ? drowning system rods, cable , wire. I'm working in a pond so with moderately steep banks so i guess rods? Going to get some Backbreaker. other lure? any other gear i will need ? set recommendations welcome, as I'm just getting my feet wet

Woodchipper is a great food type lure. Paul uses it in North Carolina, so it must work there. Lot's of set pics in the archives.

Why drown them? I've never drowned one yet. Too much work. Beaver ain't going anywhere with a 750 on him.

Trap tags, waders, gauntlets, turtle repellent, snake tongs...rods, cable, or wire just learn how to use what you get. Each has its place. If you dont want to spend money on lure then buy another trap and use your first catch to provide enough lure for the season.

I'm up to 41 caught now, trapping very lazily too, and haven't used lure. It can help but isn't necessary.

I use cables from mtp for foothold drowning, but got a cpl rods from trapperjohn (sp?) on here and they are great. Live beaver at the set site is not a good thing as they are very powerful in the water, they make a lot of unnecessary noise and disturbance, if its deep enough send em to Davey jones locker, if not use conibears, good luck. I see you are in NC. My highest % sets are either at a castor pile or a dam crossing. I like to trap at houses too, but they get wise to it quick imo.

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Yes, sarcasm. Turtles are out in full force already. And no on the tongs. More sarcasm. Lots of cottonmouth where I am as soon as the sun shines.

I picked up a 2oz bottle of beaver call and beaver pro from O'gorman. Really impressed with them so far. I caught a beaver on a ADC job with the beaver call last night, he was showing absolutely zero response to castor lures, even completely ignoring back breaker, but he seemed to like this stuff.

I also love Woodchipper. Definitely in my top 3 favorite beaver lures.

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That's unfortunate. Turtles are a pain, but I hate to see anything take a hit across the board. They are doing quite well here. I'm originally from the north, so seeing hundreds of sliders in a single pond still blows my mind.

I wonder what it could be?

work in the set up, or deal with it at every set... I'd rather have them ights out when I get there.

You have been very fortunate. Live front foot caught beaver in a 750 is a recipe for an educated escapee. Been there, seen all of that I want to see. A beavers front foot is not sturdy enough to hold them in a 750 or any other good quality trap if there is any entanglement or they can get leverage.

There is a thread on here right now dealing with this very issue. https://trapperman.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/6167446/Beaver_twist_offs#Post6167446