I'm a newbie - ran 30 650s for three weeks this past season. Caught 2 coyotes, 1 skunk 1 coon and had 16 sprung traps. Didn't move the traps for the 3 weeks. Ground was too hard for tracks. I suspect most of the misses were front foot catches of coon, skunk and possum since the 650s have such a wide offset and there seems to be a good population of those. I am targeting coyotes.

I plan to go with a different trap next season that will hold the skunks, coons and possums but also be a good coyote trap. Offsets seem to be out, but I really don't know.

I want to benefit from your knowledge and experience. What would you suggest?

wait till the Texas guy's chime in and take their advice as they know you're situation.

I use Jakes, two coil 550 and a few Bridger Canadian Modified, so I don't know about 650, but plan to try them. All of them work great on Coyotes. I have had a few sprung traps, but not many.

NO-BS Extremes or Jr's.

This right here, or the jakes

I have no issues using 650s. I run the cast jaw model. They require a little tuning to make them a better setting and performing trap.

Thing is... I want to hold the skunks, coon, and possum.
I think they have been pulling out from front foot catches.

I've heard very good things about the various trap manufactures, but I'm looking for a specific recommendation (manufacturer, size, type jaw) to hold the incidental catches of skunks, coon, and possum when targeting coyotes.

The only data point I have right now on a multi species trap is a friend that has 550's 2 coil offsets, but he has had some coon pullouts.

Does that mean the 550 2 coil closed jaw is the answer? What about other traps?

Try something close jawed...but my guess is deer...especially in Kerr County TX (Brownwood area right?). It seems like I miss less in 650s than probably any other trap.

My 650 casts have held every coon and skunk that's tripped them. You got something else going on there.

I use 550 os and 650s and hold all that step in em. Tejas uses 550 OS and holds all in Texas also. Deer are most likely the issue.. Th KOs are a bit heavy for smaller framed animals.

why such a heavy duty trap if your wanting incidentals ? The list of cheaper lighter duty taps is long and proven. Id be ashamed to admit I set a 40$ trap to catch a dollar animal. I know all the traps mentioned are the cadillacs. I just feel they are a bit of a over kill. when a cheap hated duke 11/2 will hold any and every small critter you mentioned. Or better yet a d.p a few feet away! IMHO the trap had nothing to do with misses! even pullouts leave sign! before I dropped that kind of cash id have trail cam proof. Even a elcheapo trail cam will give up that kind of proof

Like others have said, I would also guess that your problem was most likely deer setting your traps off. If setting in high deer traffic areas I have had problems when using urine or when setting right on field edges. If a coon pulls out you can usually tell by the hair left on the trap.

Like others have said,probably deer where a lot of your pull outs.Was their any catch circles when you had pull outs or was the trap just pulled out of the bed and laying their with little to no disturbance?If your area has a lot of grey fox,the 650 is not going to be the trap I would be using.I`m not a fan of an offset trap for anything but coyotes.

Tony, your post was offensive.
I bought what I thought was the best trap out there and I am not in the leat bit "ashamed" of doing so.

Constructive advice and knowledge sharing as in the other posts are appropriate and in line with the spirit of brotherhood of this forum.

I've had coon leave fur in my 650's. What's your secret?

A lot of that can be avoided by setting the right trap for the target, and setting the bigger stuff away from the little guys habitat.

My post was not ment to offend. The posts were all revolving around the highest priced traps on the market. For critters a lot of people work to avoid in yote sets! IM sorry if I offended you! But by all means if you want to buy 400$ a dozen traps for coons grinners and skunks you be my guest.

My vote is the NoBS Jrs offset and outside laminated
Good all around trap and will catch everything you are targeting without being too big or breaking your bank account

Deer ... They spring them and get out if you’re lucky. No fun letting them go. Look for fur at sprung traps.

I don't know...they are just always there. I'm not a fan of Offset jaws for this reason so was a bit skeptical with the offsets of the 650Cs when I first planted them, as I like coon and skunks as well. The first coon I got to was held on foot taper that often times releases coon. I poked at him a bit to get him to lunge and see if he would escape. He did not. It's the only offset jawed trap I'll run.

But in the end, if the trap doesn't work for you, maybe make some pan tension adjustments, and try again. BUT don't beat your head against the wall. Some traps just won't work for YOU regardless of what you do to them. I learned that of the BRidgers #2s. I beat my head against the wall with that trap for years and years. I'm a slow learner, I guess.

Sometimes what works for one guy, just doesn't seem to work for the next, in the trapping world.