What is your favorite brand of DP and what is the biggest difference between say bridger & duke?

I really like the duke pull only trap. ive had great luck with them. I use a cap on top to keep mice out that was my biggest problem with using the dps my bait was gone before a coon got there.

Grizz Getrz, now Sterling Grizz. Strongest springs on the market, have caught 100's of coons, never a pull out. A lot of people complain about the stake/stabilizer. Never a problem for me, been using them since 2007 or before. The Original and to me still the best.

I like the dukes so far. I got some z traps lil grizz and diablo to try out this yr. I going to try some of the caps this season. I never had a coon pull out before.

So being I'm new to this, I think I'm lost on the point of using a cap other than to not hit the trigger & keep mice out. Are coons that smart/curious that they'll not take it & run to where they'll still grab whatever "bait" is in there?

Yes they will just try not to get bait on cap. Coons will carry them off sometimes.

anytime my caps aren't on the trap there is a coon or opssum waiting there when I get there to check. I paint mine bright florescent colors so I can find them sometimes I have found them 10ft outside the catch circle but ive never lost a cap and I put a smear bait all around the top of the trap then set the cap on and press it into the smearbait. I like to use fur king works great coon will find it but they also find the trigger to the duke. and I cant stress enough to make sure you have 3 swivel points. also make sure they can pull the trap out the ground and it is never frozen in.

I’m a Ztrap guy. Good trap and Neil is a stand up guy

I use Sterling Grizz and the V2 Grizz. Tried others, but these are my hands-down favorite.

I agree!^^^^^

No-Bs dogproofs. Lots of features come standard on these.
Z-traps are my 2nd choice.

If I could only use 2 styles of DPs from now on, I'd use Dukes and Z traps.

Is there a certain height for the trap to be off the ground next to a river. I've read somewhere on here bout different sets & I think I remember one saying recessed in the bank bout 12 - 14" off the ground. Anybody know the reasoning for this? & then the recessed part seems like I'd be digging a hole the size of a coffee can so the spring can work properly.

I have a mix of fb1's, diablo and duke I like the duke the best . I like the ease of setting the fb1 but after a few coon I end up having to retune them and if they pack mud up under the lever and it freezes it tough to get picked out.
J

Freedom Brand FB1 Dog Proof. Best and easiest to use.

Ztraps and coon daggers

EZ traps were the best DP's made IMO. The stabilizer, the pull only trigger, and the best indestructible coating available of any DPs ever made to date. You'll have to find them used though now as all the new stock has been sold. I wouldn't be surprised to find new old stock if you look for it.

Duke and Z Trap for sure

Z traps wall the way

Lil Griz all the way!