Have been running a line of pocket sets in a creek bottom the last couple of weeks and this week have been having trouble with a coon stealing the bait out of my set and avoiding the trap. I beefed up my blocking and have good backing but still missing bait. I tried scattering bait around the set to increase traffic but still missing all of the bait without a catch. Any other ideas out there ? I’m gonna go in with dog proofs next.

Pin the bait solidly into the back of the pocket with a forked stick. Or use liquid bait squirted into small holes, nothing to steal.

Where is your trap with respect to the opening of the hole? How big is the pocket opening?

Go with a smaller pocket to start with.

I would say it’s about 8-12 inches in front of the hole and Its covered with silage clippings.

I have a similar set underneath a branch sticking out of the bank and the trap is closer to the opening with the hole back under the branch quite a ways. Same problem there. I’ll try securing the bait. I do have a couple of pvc sets that he is raiding as well.

sounds like you are making dirt hole sets actually

a pocket should be 8-12" deep and the trap right in front of OR 1/2 INSIDE that pocket with trap under 1-2" water typically.

Ya it is more like a dirt hole.

The hole is about 6inches deep.

It’s almost like a combination of a dirt hole and a cubbie really...

When I have a critter doing that I'll set three traps so they have to cross at least one to get to the bait.

I mean if you're dead set on catching that one critter add a trap or two.... personally I'd just move on.

Thanks for the replies. I’ll post a picture when I get him.

Ok switched to dog proofs in this area and checked yesterday and the bait was missing from the dog proofs. The traps were not sprung.I used some cheap cat food in the dog proofs only filled them half way on that set. When I re baited them I filled them up. Could this be a mouse or bird problem I’m having ? Thinking of switching to sardines or something that isn’t as easy to haul off.

Sounds like mice or birds unless you are seeing tracks

Dig your hole deeper , a coons got a pretty good reach ! On the DPs put a big fat marshmallow under the trigger , if you got cold weather give that staypuff a shot of fish oil !!! If you’ve got a bird or mouse problem you may have to go to a cover of some kind, styrofoam cup , golf ball or cap of another type .
Good luck !

Sounds good thanks for the advice.