I am looking to expand my conibear arsenal. I am just getting into water trapping and I picked up 2 Duke 330's last fall. They worked fine for me this year, caught 2 rats and an otter in them, I'd like to step up to a nicer trap. I am looking at the Belisle 330's and possibly also the MB1216. I have a few spots where the extra width of the 1216 would come in handy. Any reviews, tips, etc would be great. Thanks.

I use 330 of Bridger and Dukes and work fine for otter and beaver also use Victor and Bridger in 220 for coon and otter and also beaver. For me I see o need to up grade to a different trap. If the are is extra wide set (2) 330 if able to. As for the 220 for beaver it is on dry land I use it for on cross over.

I use Bridger 280’s for otter specific sets. They are torpedo killing machines!

If your targeting otter the Belisle 280 is nice, just a bit faster then the 330 on the close for the blind sets. Will also do for your avg beaver.

IMO a 330-size trap is a poor choice for otter unless it is fully submerged.
For fast moving otter’s a 330-size trap quite often closes on them to far back resulting in poor hip catches that don’t dispatch them quickly. My experience with the smaller 280 is that it closes faster and results in fewer, if any, poor catches. The 280 will also capture more of the incidental mink and muskrats that often trigger 330 beaver and otter sets without getting caught. Thus, it is the ultimate otter trap IMO. The 220 also has its place in those narrow pinch points.

What bctomcat said - 280s for otter specific sets. If I am setting strictly for otter I use 280s, 220s, and if its a real tight spot a 160, 99% of the time though I set a 280.

Thanks guys, I'll check out the 280s. There are no beaver in the area I am trapping, so it sounds like the 280 would be the better choice. There are definitely mink and muskrat, and I had the 330 fired, but empty, a few times.

220s are my favorite ott trap! A clean behind the ear across the thorax every time! I own several 280 but still prefer the 220. As stated a wide spot daisy chain several traps to span the area your guarding.

Belisle 330 with Circle Triggers

If there are NO beaver and you are dealing with rats and mink + the otter I would go with the 220. Then you will be able to catch those rats and mink and the otter.

I can't say there are 0 beaver, but I would be amazed to see one. I'd be better going after the mink and rats that I know are there.

I prefer the Belisle 330 to the MB1216. I find the 1216 overly heavy and less versatile. You'll be very pleased going from Dukes to Belisle.

Bridger 280 mags, otters don't even move the support sticks and as mentioned gets the beaver,mink and rats too.

Works just like this in Georgia too...^^^
Belisle 280s are the otter trap...

Years ago when I was in a state that around the area that was just otter and no beaver , I use was 220 and could only trap in water beside #3 Victor 2 coil.

Personally I wish they made a 220 sized 660! 7" is plenty tall for every otter ive seen the width would make it look very inviting under water.

I've thought the same.

Now you have me thinking. Might pick up a 220 and see about expanding it.

That was my thought behind the 1216, the extra width looked appealing.

If you have a wide channel,it should be set with 2 or even 3 traps set side by side with block sticks.You will catch multiple animals especially on extended checks.

In most cases the first critter that gets caught can spring the other traps. I would rather find or construct multiple pinch points and set them with a single trap.