I may be opening a can of worms here, but what are the favorite beaver footholds for drowning sets? Not necessarily brands, but more sizes is what I'm interested in. the MB 750 is what I am looking at for next year. Thoughts?

Sounds like you have answered your own question....

MB750 (7 1/4” jaw spread) is great, and also Bridger #5’s (7 1/4” jaw spread)


I use Duke #4’s (6 1/4” jaw spread) in most places where they might be borrowed by someone.

I know you didn’t want brand, but size. So I think in my very limited beaver experience I’d say any #4 or #5 size trap. Get some of each and see what you like.

Started using both MB 750's and Bridger #5 's this year and am pleased with both.

Already seen a few good suggestions mentioned. I would just add the suggestion to use the biggest jawspread you can legally use.

Mike

This is really the best answer you are going to get.

CDR 7.5 is my favorite trap.

X-2! Are they still as good since WCS started marketing them?

Anything 7" or bigger. The CDR is a great trap 7 1/2", but are to find. The No-Bs beaver trap is a great trap also 7 1/4". I have been trying them out this year and have only had an empty trap once. The water dropped more than I thought so it was my fault not the traps. It's a top of the line trap you can afford.

750e are a darn good trap

Thanks guys!

Earned my living for several yrs trapping beaver with CDR 7.5's and Bridger 4 coil #5's.

I have had good luck with my mb 750s I like how both jaws are held down solid by the dog and pan system. I have caught beaver in number 4 dukes but if you get a poor hold on a back foot that beaver will be gone. Big jaw spread is important but I think a very strong trap with good swivels is equally important

I like to set my mb750 about 4-5 inches off center of that bait stick....and try for a front foot catch....But I bet this was les’s 25 th Trap he set that day...and had a brain fart....

The key is that little protective breasting stick right over the dog. It probably was my 25th, lol.

I would buy nothing but 750's

All I use is MB750's. For me they have been very effective. Even with my limited experience I have a lot of confidence in my sets with the 750's.

MB750's for sure

You can set an MB750 over your knee, but it isn't as big as a CDR 7.5, and my MBs are weaker. CDR equals bigger kill zone even if you need the setters to set them. It is the better trap, for holding beaver, and is commonly accepted as being so.

For the unorganized novice, the MB might be a better choice.

I have more confidence in the CDR 7.5 .

I would disagree Les. I've had fewer sprung traps with 750's, which ain't many at all. I like a trap I can easily set over my knee, CDR's are just plain hard on the hands. The old 750's were weaker I think, the newer ones are plenty strong.

My 750s are all early 90s vintage, and seemed weak from the get go. I have some of each, and don't have many sprung traps of either one, but if a trap is empty at the bottom of a drowner, it will be a weaker MB. New springs would solve that. Other wise, I just don't set the week ones .