we have skunk,possum,coons,fox,coyote,bobcat, mainly for coyote. so I guess my question should really be, how small for coyote? coil or longspring.

thanks

used to run mb 550s and loved them. They caught it all and held everything good. Depending on your budget, the 550s are great traps. I just wanted to go to a dogless design, I was always having problems with the dogs getting bent, no so much on the ss dogs on the 550s but the dogs on the duke and bridger #3s. Now I got all bridger #3 dogless and those are starting to be my favorite trap. Think I got 4 doz of them and a doz 650s. The 650s are great for coyote and bobcat but a little big for coon and fox. I have caught a few fox in my bridger #3s and have done just fine. Dont know if you like dogless style or not, but the bridger #2 dogless would probably work great for you. I know i have caught a few coyotes in the couple i have an havent had any issues. I would think the little bit smaller jaw spread would be better for your skunks, coon, possum and fox. You can still catch coyotes and cats in the #2s as well.

They are really beefing up a number of 550 sized footholds for restricted land size trapping states that can hold larger predators a majority of the time(not saying better than larger traps if you can still use them) but even those are I think are not a good size match for smaller furbearer both in expense or best practice in humane method. If I HAD to choose only one foothold it would be a highly moded 450 size and only if mandated by law. I feel it is the responsibility of an ethical trapper to best target his target species with a best practice trap whenever possible, JMO. It's not as easy and its why I have a couple of dozen sizes and types of traps(not counting different brands). Most species could be covered with MAYBE three size footholds 90% of sets, IMO. depending how you trap.

#11 or 1.5 for Coon and skunk fox. Nobody wants grinners!

1.75 or bigger for canine and cats. Smaller still ok for fox but bigger is better for the others.

I’d try both 1.5’s for skunks up to fox, and coils in the 5.5-6.5” size range for coyote and cats...

Buying traps big enough for coyote to use for small critters is expensive. Better off buying 2 kinds.

One size definitely doesn’t fit all. I’ve caught grinner, coon, fox and coyotes in MB550 while trying just for coyotes. All were held but unless you got to them quickly, coon and skunks had enough room to chew on themselves. #11 double jawed longsprings are definitely better for coon and skunks.

Well the 550 Is going to be over kill for rats mink coon and fox and skunks. In fact most of those smaller animals won't even be able to set them off.

A trap In the 1.75 size should do a decent job on the critters you mentioned. I caught a lot of coyotes back In the day In 1.75s when I was live market trapping fox.
Add a few more swivels In the chain set up and your good to go.

I use mb 450's. Had trouble with fox and skunk not setting off my 550's sometimes. Held many coyotes with the 450's. Did have toe catches that pulled out on some though.