I'm going to be running a marten / fisher line with exclusion devices. What are your recommendations, pros and cons between Duke, Bridger, and Belisle.

These will be new magnum style traps. I've never used a Belisle trap and I'm curious to hear if they're any better in any respect, or if they all catch fur the same.

Thanks.....Andrew

Catching fur there's not much difference though the magnum jaws are the preferred traps if you look at the AIHTS standards. They just do the job better.

Just don't like the headaches of the dukes and bridgers.

What are the headaches you talk about? I'm looking for some traps that I can buy and be happy with. Tuning triggers is no big deal but I don't want to mess with anything much besides that. You think the Belisles are worth the extra cost?

The Belisle Super X 120, is a very versatile trap suitable for muskrat, mink, marten and fisher with excellent spring safety hooks.

Mainly runaway springs (dukes and bridgers) and small spring eyes (bridgers).

Another vote for Belisle. Much better saftey hooks, good triggers that won't damage fur, and are easy to tune.

The Martin I'v cought in a 120 Belisle. Most had busted gut (inside) which caused a green spot in the leather

I hear you, Newt. I've heard they're pretty stout traps. I've had the dog break through the leather with 160's. I guess if I had to choose between a green belly or busted leather, I'd probably take the green belly since we put them up fur out.

I've used Belisle 120's for many years and have never that situation. With the way I set for marten I get a consistent base of skull/thorax strike every time. No gut strikes.

I used pans on the trigger wires

I bought two dozen Victors 25 or 30 years ago. They are still incredibly strong. No one ever mentions Victor traps these days.

For Martin .I went to 110 Victors

All the marten trappers in my area prefer the LDL 120 magnum.It has double jaws and the dog nor trigger ever hits the delicate marten fur.
The springs are very strong and stay that way.I also use some belisles.
Years ago I have used bmi 120's and victors.Even with a proper strike,there was more damage with these traps,mostly in the form of a small rub hole in the skin indicating that the animal struggled in the trap for a time before succumbing.This was due to weaker springs,and lack of clamping force due to a small gap between the jaws when closed.
The newer magnum traps kill much quicker when they are set for a proper strike.

If you got gut strikes when using pans you are setting to far away from the bait when the trap is fired. With a trap set within 4-6 inches of the bait you will get a neck or neck and thorax quick kill zone strike, virtually every time on marten and mink. This occurs because the animal is stable at the bait, not moving through it to get to the bait.

I like the double strike too Tomcat.
I agree with the trap being close to the bait to get good strikes.Some guys recess the slots,other guys,like those that trap lots of beaver just fill the boxes with bait.Same result.

Thank you all for the advice and discussion. I've decided to go with the Belisles.

Thanks again,

Andrew