Hey guys,I plan on running a roadline this fall for coon and mink. I'll be running about 200 sets total, the majority of them pocket sets. Right now I have 6 dozen Dukes ready to go, but will be ordering about 8 dozen more footholds. Should I go with the Bridgers or Dukes? The larger pan with the night latch looks way better on the Bridgers. What would be the best choice? I'll be putting Wild River pans on my Dukes.

If It were me I'd stay with the Dukes. It's been my experience that after a few years the Bridgers seem to lose spring strength. I don't know If that has been changed or not. You won't have that problem with the Dukes.

Beav, do you update the pan on your Dukes? I want the majority of my traps to be the same to create more efficiency.

The springs on those Dukes will be strong in 10 years... the Bridgers not so much.. IMO.

Go with the Dukes and the Wild River pans. You can't go wrong.

I have a bunch of both brands in 1.5 size. Pros and cons in my opinion on both. Both have important uses in our line too.
If I was running a road line as you mention duke would be what I would grab from the back of truck.
Both priced about same too.

Sounds to me like the Duke would be the better choice.

I'd go with the Dukes, but I'd also go with the DJ version. Only mod. I'd do is add a mid chain swivel.

You can also night latch a Duke.

Duke double jaw with 3 feet of chain, best coon trap out there.

I would just use them as they come out of the box. But If you have the time after the season Is over changing to a after market pan would be the way to go.

My choice for those targets would be #1.5 Duke Double Jaw with a Single Post Wild River Pan.

Standardization is important. If you already have six dozen Dukes I would order more Dukes. That way you can set every single one exactly the same way. Saves time when you are setting that many traps.

Brian

I have both, prefer Duke , the pan screw seems to set below springs on Bridgers , harder to adjust pan tension, maybe just me.