Tis the offseason here in PA and so begins the trap tweaking. I have kicked around the idea of adding inline shock springs to my coyote traps. I have a very rudimentary knowledge of shock springs as I don't believe they are necessary for fox, but with the coyotes moving in, I'm a firm believer that its important to hold the biggest thing in the field. I'm open to all opinions and experiences but I'll list a few questions that have been rolling around in my mind. I am aware there are many successful coyote trappers catch a lot of coyotes without the aid of shock springs, but if I am able to increase my hold rate with shock springs, I think its a worth while investment, especially on those toe catches.

-Shock Spring styles/manufacturers: P.I.T, JC Conner, Sleepy Creek? Any experience or preference?
-What LB Tension? 40lb, 50lb, 75lb?
-Do you keep the spring closer to your anchor, closer to the trap, or in the middle?
-How long of chain do you typically run with an inline shock spring?

Thanks for your help, opinions, and experiences.

The J.C. Conner heavy duty are what I mostly run. Swivel on the D- ring, 4 links of chain, swivel, shock spring, 4 links of chain, swivel, double stake ring or earth anchor.

Not only will it help hold coyotes, but it can really help to keep domestics and wild from shoulder damage from lunging. 1st time I saw the spring in action I was sold.

In my opinion shock springs are a waste of time and money. Just more stuff to bury at the set. And short chains solve any perceived injuries to non targets. In fact domestic critters don't fight a trap like a wild critter does.

When the small amount of play In the shock spring Is bottomed out the critter Is still on the move so I don't see where It's of any value. It might have some value In 4 or 5 foot chain set up where the critter can get up a head of steam but I still have my doubts about that. And On a10" chain set up I can't see any value. But If It works for you that's all that counts.

Not all domestics are the same. Beav- have you tried the shock springs and seen them work on a catch?

Finally someone that sees it the same way as I do.

Short chains have always worked for me.

Doesn’t that add about 10$ to each trap?

When your running dozens of canine traps that can be cost prohibitive.

Springs are around $25/doz, the rest of the chain typically comes stock with any trap. So if you catch 1 extra coyote per dozen traps with the aid of a spring, your springs have paid for themselves. I have zero experience running springs so I don't know if they increase your catch rate or not but if they hold one extra toe catch coyote it would be worth it.

I tend to agree with the Beav on one aspect , short chains eliminate movement . If your using earth anchors and short chains ( 8” or less ) I don’t feel the need for a shock spring. I’ve gone from long ( 30” ) chains and shock springs while using single stakes to the short chains and earth anchors.

I feel as if I’m working a lot harder retrieving earth anchors than I did stakes . That being said I’m going to go back to stakes at least for frozen ground . I’ve been using JC Conners shock springs, I’ve got some of the older ones with the lock washer connectors and some of the newer version that require a swivel on each end. For long chains either one will work , for short chains the two swivels ad more length and the shock spring is another 41/2 or 5” in my mind this makes it hard to keep a short chain .
Each person should reach his own conclusions based on their situation. By that I mean the entire situation, including ground conditions soil types and type and size of trap .

You asked about different weights and styles or manufacturers of shock springs and I’ve only tried the JC’s but will be ordering the pits from Ed as they are made with a built in swivel on each end I’ve yet to ask him what he recommends for weight but I’m betting on the 50 lbs ones for coyote .

It doesn't take much time or effort to bury a 4 inch spring.

I have talked with Ed about shock springs and he often talks about the need for shock springs on short chains specifically. He said often that first lunge when they jump straight up is going to be the most likely time they would pull out of a toe catch. He also said on longer chains when they jump they never reach the end of the chain so there is no chance of a pull out on the initially lunge, but later on in the fight against the trap is when shock springs are important on longer chains, like you said, when they can get a run.

Like I said, I'm not here to argue, I am legitimately trying to determine if the investment is worth it.

Ed did mention a trial he was a part of where they set traps with Force Meters attached and he rattled off some numbers regarding the lbs of force on that first lunge (I believe he said an average 30lb coyote has a force of over 200lbs on the initial lunge, but don't quote me on that) and he said that the first bit of thrashing is the most important one to withstand and where shock springs are important.

Shock springs are not necessary but I love them and use them on all my coyote rigs. Try pulling up on an earth anchor to set it with a shock spring attached to the trap and you will feel the difference. I use JC Conner's as well.

Well from that pic there Is 10" of shock spring + swivels. Know you add several more links of chain on either end and your looking at 15 to 16 " and that Is a lot to bury. Especially In frozen ground.
A chain length of about 8" with swivels and then driven down In to the ground when using a earth anchor Isn't going to let any critter make much of a lunge.

If they work for you so be It but I'm not convinced they help.

I actually cut a couple of factory links off my 650s and add a spring and swivel to the end of the chain so I don't have much to bury at all.
Some of us don't believe a #2 Duke is worth the time or effort either, but that's why they make chocolate and vanilla.

Canebrake with a 650 do you worry about pull outs is this the reason for the shock spring????

Short chains. Invest in more traps.

Here is something to consider imo then
.a shock spring is rated at 50 lbs ,and coyote is lunging at 200lbs (for this example ) the shock spring is bottomed out now at the beginning of the lunge correct??? I am not saying there Bad or Good just adding to the comments already given .

Coalbank - you omitted one swivel in your description of your chain system. I make mine the same - cut one link and put it together. Just having fun.

Yes, they do bottom out, but the shock springs are about lessening the blow, so using a 75lb spring would lessen that force by 27.5%. Is that enough to matter? I don't know. But I intend to find out.

What does a 650 have to do with it?

No, I don't necessarily use them to reduce the chance of a pull out. I can't help but think they would help tremendously with stake pumping should the need arise, as well as soften the blow on the animal fighting the trap, whether it is a coyote, fox, or the neighbor's dog, and that's never a bad thing.

Use what you like and have confidence in.

That was the point I was trying to make.