I know everybody will have their own opinions but what are the pro's & con's of a #1 longspring compared to a #1 coilspring for muskrat & then for marten?

My father taught me to muskrat trap on #0 and #1 jumps and longsprings. We always used up our longsprings first because he always said he liked that they had the additional weight to help with the drowning process. When I think old school muskrat trapping, I think of #1 longsprings. As far as the comparison to the #1 coil, I would say my decision would be based on whatever you have or get the best buy on. Just be glad you have 'rats to trap.

Cannot speak to marten, never had the pleasure.

I always thought the same along the lines of weight of the longspring but I put them in the scale & the coil was heavier.. so now back @ square 1

But it cannot be denied that a #0 or a #1 will just work !

Id say that coils are a must only if you think something little tougher will step on the set. If so plan acourdingly.

I say long spring and coil each have there place. I use both for rats. If there I trap feedbeds I will use stoploss and if it a toilet set I would use one or the other depend on how much room and how it is for the rat will drown or not. Some places a jump trap will work also .That is what will work for me .I do not only use #1 on rats but also #1 1/2 also. Do not know anything about martens .

also moving the chain to the opposite side increases holding power.

most coils hold an advantage in pan system more than anything i believe.

[quote=pcr2]also moving the chain to the opposite side increases holding power.

What do you mean by moving the chain to the opposite side?

If you modify the chain for a long spring by taking it off the spring and attaching it to the other side . this forces the animal to pull into the long spring. There fore they are pulling into the part that is holding them in place. A trick I learned about while watching mink trapping vids

yepper

Gotchya. I'll have to try that.

Joe.
I do but don't have both on the same line. It's moreso muskrat now & marten when I move to MT in a couple of years. There are a few marten in far western nv in the Sierras but that's bout it. The rats I'm gonna try to get this fall are on the eastern side of the state which is a 5 hr drive for me so I'd end there for bout 3-4 days at a time when I get there & it'd be for multiple species.
More reading I understand where ya coming feom with the footholds vs. bodygrips. Just moreso looking for purchase now instead of when I retire so its already to go for most species when I move & go full time trapper(which can't come soon enough).

I know of one set that will take both rats and marten(and a few other species also).

Yes, any mink box along a water course within marten territory, so whats the point?

I like 1.5 coils for muskrat drowning sets like stools or floats,because the weight takes them right to the bottom.I have #1 coils and they are plenty strong but not enough weight for my liking.

I don't trap marten but I have mounted plenty and I don't like the damage I see from footholds.

The point is if you read the whole thread,one guy said he didn't think there was a set that would take both muskrat and marten.So I enlightened him.
And yes Tomcat you are correct.That is the set-baited with a rat carcass if you want it to produce rats as well as mink,marten, weasels,skunk and the odd otter, fox. and very rarely fisher.

You got it,a rat is a rat,and a marten is a marten and a mink is a mink no matter where they are.
Don't believe all that bullcrap that some guys say that as soon as an animal crosses an imaginary man made line that they change their inherent habitual instinctual behaviour.

I don't watch podcasts,and don't get sore,lol.
I also have enough experience(over 45 years)managing both lynx and fisher on many traplines to know a little about them.
I just look where the so called experts are(NE US) where they don't even have a season on lynx let alone be trusted to manage them like we do.

you tell em Bobo.

Not so much telling anyone,more of passing along solid first hand info based on decades of real trapline experience,when I see misleading info posted.
NSOMA if anyone chooses to use it or not..

Boco
I appreciate the advice you share. There are so many "Experts" these days on trapping forums you have to understand that having lots of years on the line, lots of experience in varying conditions, having done ADC for years, and having trapped for fur for years just does not measure up for some.
Please keep sharing your thoughts and idea. People can do like I do with all advice, take what you can use, and be thankful for that.

Mac