I was thinking of buying some Bridger #5 longsprings, has anyone found the need to base plate them? I will probably center swivel them.

No need to do that...fine trap!

DEFINITELY no need. It's got a thick baseplate.

Get the dukes instead. I have both....The dukes are better. Much better pan system.

I have the Bridger #4 and they need no base plate. Plenty of trap there. I'm not completely happy about the pan and dog though.

I had kicked around the idea of getting some DLS and I did think that the pan on the Duke seems a bit better, but I have heard an old wolfer say they that he didn't like them.
So both the bridgers and the Duke's are very cheap for DLS traps. I like good traps. So after much deliberation I might just get the Bridger #5 coil springs.
They have the right pan and they are already set up.
Heavey, 4 coil, the proper pan, and baseplated for less than both of the cheaper long springs then I can save some cash and buy some nice DLS in the future.

You might want to look at the Sleepy Creek 4and1/2 already center swiveled, good pan and super strong

Ken, you won't regret that bridger.

I base plate mine...and the reason is, I want the swivel coming off the bottom,(on a D-ring) of the frame and NOT the spring !
I also use #9 wire to laminate the jaws and add a Paws-I- Trip pan system.
On older models, I can show you a method of re-strengthening the springs that will out last the trap !
I add two double swivels right off the D ring / frame.
Never lost a beaver in this set-up, ever !
If you're on facebook, you can see quite a few pictures in my albums of this set up and the results.
Otherwise, someone will have to walk me through how to post pics on here, as I don't know how since they stopped using Photo Bucket !

L T

I have quite a few Sleepycreek 4 1/2’s I was hoping to get something I can set over my knee, that was my only reason for trying something else. The Sleepycreek are probably the best made longspring traps ever made.

don't rule out the crimp on center swivels

Thanks LT, yes we are actually FB friends. Love to see your posts. I have quite a few Sleepycreek 4 1/2s. I was looking for a large longspring that I could set over my knee. I can’t do that with the Sleepycreek 4 1/2 I use a setter and “U” clip. If I bought the Bridger I would center swivel them and probably base plate too. Hope all is well on your end.
Scott

All great traps. But I see no need to center swivel any of those traps that aren't already done that way.
I just don't like having that chain under my traps. And actually I feel that a side mounted chain system has better holding power. When the critter Is pulling on the trap It's pulling It's foot Into the tightest part of the trap.
And If a beaver Is toe caught It's most likely to pull out no matter how you have the chain set up.

I can tell by that statement, you don't own any original Newhouse or L P C traps !

I've toe caught a good many beaver , even one toe and held them in modified Montgomery coil spring traps on 18 foot of swiveled chain.
They never had anything solid to pull against .

Are you long chaining them with that rig?

I long chain the majority of them, hate to haul weight or foll bags.

I’ve got some of the old victor 4n cast jaw longsprings they have always done well. But I stopped using them after someone else decided to liberate a few from me

Describe your trap you use,any mods.,and chain length if you would.I tried it yrs. ago and ended up making some changes,but quit trapping beaver and never really tried it again.Going to start chasing the buggers again and I'm curious how other folks do it.

Buck, unless I use a drowning ROD, I always long chain my beaver traps.
Usually 18 foot of #2 twist link, heavily swiveled.

Using drowning wire and bags of sand and rock weights, etc. , is not for a man with a lot of traps to run !
I can make a beaver set in two minutes, staking the trap right by the set.

I started trapping beaver back in 1987 using a #4 Kangaroo trap.
I've yet to foot or even toe a beaver using long chain set, regardless of trap used.
For years, I used my #4 modified Montgomery coil springs and held lots of beaver in them, front foot, back foot and even toe caught !
Today I prefer a 750 CDR or a Modified #5 Bridger, both long chained.
I seldom see a reason to drown a beaver.