Got a text yesterday from my son. Friend of his has couple otter eating all trout in his little pond. Son and I have couple tags so he wants us come clear them out.
Thing is I've not caught only couple otters in all my years. Really have only caught on on purpose and that was years ago in a pocket set. I've caught a couple in 160 set for coon along creek.
This place is where spring comes out of hill side makes a small shallow pond then pretty much a trickle down the valley. Not really enough water for foot holds and downers? might be close.. and is really rocky so any staking maybe a pain i'm sure.
I don't have any 220s got lot 160 and plenty 330s and all kinds different foot hold. Kinda wondering though just how to set this up? Could I simply throw some fish in back of a bucket with 160 in front and smack them? Might be enough water in the pond for a bottom edge set with 160 or 330??? if I can pin it in rocks..
Anyone want to throw me out some ideas? I pretty sure them otters will camp out there until they clean out them trout. This pond is small maybe 30X50ft. won't take them long.
I'm wide open to suggestion on this one. Need them buggers gone ASAP.

Mac

I've only caught 2, both were in 330s set as bottom edge sets in knee deep water in a creek.

Id try to get 330s in where the trickle becomes a pond and where the outlet from the pond is.

I am looking forward to hearing suggestions from those more experienced.

Any restrictions on the size of your colony traps?I'd also block off the outlet with a 330 if you can.

6x6

Nope that idea is gone.You can also make a pocket set and use mink musk as lure.Where it is shallow water have your traps with plenty swivels in the chain and check early in the day and often.

If there is ice, I would set the open water at the inlet and outlet right under where the ice starts. Use whichever body grip trap fits best and block it down. The otter might leave and come back a week or so later. I don't think they would stay at a pond that size very long. They will probably keep visiting it until the fish are gone.

The pond must be somewhat deep in spots for the water to be cold enough for Trout
Set up any tight locations with the 330s. Blocking works well with otters.
Ive caught several otters in pocket sets baited along banks...they are curious animals.
But my best sets are blind underwater sets with dive pole over the trap.

Just talked to land owner and the otter are indeed going in an out on the inlet and outlet. I didn't ask about total depth but he did say staking may not be as hard at I thought is sandy and rock not all rock.. i was close on my guess maybe just little bigger than the 30 X 50 I thought.. It hasn't been cold enough to freeze totally over. I have plenty of 330s I can set this up with or the 160s. maybe just take dozen of each see what fit where.. Whats the best trigger position on a 330. I think all mine now are bent one wire across lower jaw one up the side. Will Otter blow threw that on 330 I've never caught one set that way for few beavers I've trapped.

Mac

If the trigger is on top use a V to ensure they hit it. If the water isn't deep enough to cover the entire 330 I set them with the trigger on the bottom in a T about an inch under water. If you do it that way I think it helps to hide the trap by placing a stick on top of the trap to help hide it.

^^^
Trigger on bottom. T under water is good.

V or both trigger wires together and dead center.

Is it even worth messing around with a baited 160 bucket? I'm pretty sure would just plug up with coon, not that that is bad land owner wants them gone too. He has already put a hurt on them during summer. but there is always a few drifting around. Is for sure mink in the area too. Of course he wants everything dead might eat his fish.

Mac

Skip the bucket 160 ....a natural pocket would be more probable

Concentrate on the 330 travel blind set spots

Land owner say there is a slide or what he believes is slide. So if I can get a 330 in that is it best full submerged dive stick, or leave little of top out?


Mac

You can trail set them in winter with those 160s if they are running any distance above the ice.

I prefer my 330s fully submerged.

Both dive stick and a little of top 330 out so long as the top is not freezing over.

Well I got to get moving start doing something. If I get at it today maybe I can take some pictures. For sure going in garage sort out my weapons.. get after it tomorrow for sure. There are fish diein need help.. LOL!
I'll keep an eye on this. don't do T-man on my phone so probably won't be back until way later in day.

Thanks guys..

Mac

For the narrow spots of the inlet and outlet of the pond set the 330 there.with a dive stick and is solid. You do not need really close to the pond if not sure set further down the streams of both ends also. If the water is not deep enough dig it that when the trap is set it is complete under water with the dive stick out of the water.As for the trigger wires set them on top like stated on center or close to center as a V You do not want the V too spread out then you will have a chance of a hip catch. also set the trigger side of the trap for the way that the animal will be coming from.If not sure set 2 traps apart. Also is it just one otter or more then one. If not sure gang set them. This is how I had trap them back in MA when you can only set that conibears are complete under water. I had use 220 on them then .and had set the trap in spots that just fit a 220 and had to dig for the trap be under water complete.

set up bucket sets at ends or where the place that drains extra water. very curious . use fresh fish in bucket . 160 double spring . no problem will go in if u move trigger to side .catch lots of them that way

Good luck.Post some pictures.