I put in a few pocket sets this morning for coon and mink. I'm using duke 1 1/2 do any of you lengthen the chain or add a cable extension? The reason I'm asking it really a bad angle for my back if I have to do a reset. Any reason not to?
Thanks Justin

I would not have an issue with lengthening the chain with an extension to get the trap up to where yo ucan set it easier. Things to consider though on each location. Are there trees branches or limbs higher on the bank the animal might get caught up in. trap should hold fine but this can make an absolute mess of a good set. Does this compromise your anchor system? Meaning does the longer chain allow the animal to get on shore and pull directly vertical on say a rebar stake. I have lost a set to this exact thing and learned from it right away. Maybe you could consider a drowner setup if you haven't already and that would eliminate issues i have found in the past listed above?

Some good ideas from thedude.

A bad back is no fun tho so kudos to you if you can find ways to avoid such a problem.

Well no matter how long your chain Is your still going to have to bend down to place the trap at the location.

You can always add a sleep ez hook to the trap so you can remove the trap to reset it. I haven't run sliders on anything smaller than a beaver in 10+ years but all my beaver traps have these because there are spots I can't physically set the trap at the set site.

Another thing you can do is run the longer chain on the drowner and adjust the chain length with the sleep ez hooks if your in shallow water .

If you quit setting them over your knee it'll be a lot easier as well. #1 - 550 sized traps I set this way...



Here's how I set #1- #3 sized longsprings as well...

Thanks for all the tips guys. ADC I will give your way a try. I did end up putting some extensions on the chain. I used my homemade cable stakes which has a piece of 1/2 black pipe for the anchor. Slips right over my rebar and still lets them pivot around.
Justin

Not sure if this helps, but I started putting all of my pocket sets on a drowned type slider. I use a rebar stake to fasten one end on the bank\creek bed and on the other end is a drag. I had two instances of a big coon pulling the stake last year, lucky for me they got tangled up both times. And if you get a mink or rat, you might get them to drown. I've also used a brick as my anchor. And for me, if I get a coon in a pocket. They destroy it no matter what. lol