Going to try fisher trapping for the first time. I was thinking about getting some Duke 1 1/2 double jaw traps, but I wanted to see what other people were using.

Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

When I trap the mountain I use Duke #2 4 coils. I just got a good deal on them last summer, that's why. Plus if they get stolen up on the mountain I'm not out much money. I'm sure that the 4 coils are overkill but up on the mountain I don't stake, I run drags with all of my traps. I caught my fisher this past year by accident, as is most of my catches. LOL I had set out where I'd seen coyotes and caught a fisher. I just wrap the drag around a tree, twist the chain around the drag teeth a few times, and that's it.

As Joe mentioned, I too have plenty of swivels on my entire set up.

I've only trapped a few dozen with foot holds. When I started fisher trapping I had about 10-15 dozen V or B&L 1.5 coils so that is what I used. Never needed a different trap for fisher. When I can I use drags.

I'm open to any recommendations. Didn't mean to make it sound like I would only use coils. Yes with PA's 1 fisher limit and 2 week season it really limits your options.

I've had luck pre-baiting. Some fisher will stay near a bait until it is gone or you kill it.

That's some good information! Thank you.

I'm planning on doing some scouting this weekend. Put some skunk lure in a tree and hang some cameras to try and find a good area.

Also while scouting, look along mountain roads, etc... for dead porcupine. It’s funny but I actually found a fresh kill which was half eaten about a week after I caught mine last year.

Yes I've bedded traps before. It's not my first time trapping, just my first time targeting fisher.

I have some MB 550's I use for coyotes, they are definitely the Cadillac of traps out of the box

Thanks for all the great information hopefully I’ll be sharing some pics this December!

If you have MB550, those are fantastic if you adjust the pan tension. They say some come with a 5 lbs pan tension and for me that is too high. I have used the MB550 on a limited basis for cat and fisher and they are great.
When I used to run a lot of traps on the ground for big dollar fisher I choose a good #1.75 most of the time, set up on a drag. If you are running a lot of steel and running hard you may want to staple them Thorpe style or stake them. The video shows a stapled trap. Never had a fisher go far on a drag set up but I typically added a wood clog to the chain too.
As my buddy ebsurveyor says, the 1.5 coil is good. I have another good friend that talks about and writes about using the #2 Sleepy Creek long spring.
I have a slug of them too. The double long spring beds really well in loamy woods soil.

If your sets are exclusively fisher, you can guide the hard.
As ebsurveyor said, pre-bait. Pre-baiting works really well on some animals and fisher is one of them.
Use fresh meat for pre-baiting and sets. Fisher are hoggish, use a lot of bait. You will hear and read of some guys only using lure. Do not be one of them.
If I do use skunk, it is not at the set proper where I will end up rubbing my coat sleeve in it, the LDC will be up in the air and close to the set.

Always make two sets at a minimum. It is no fun to have something plugging up a trap when a fisher comes through.
It is no fun to catch a rabbit and see on snow where a fisher had dinner.
These are hard lessons and ones I took when fisher were worth big money.

You can make woods sets that will take whatever comes along or you can target fisher in mostly uncovered traps as suggested. It is really hard for me to leave an uncovered trap, even though they work. I choose to at least break the outline of the trap so I can sleep better. LOL

Good luck and have fun.

I have some Bridger 1.75 offset jaw traps. Will the fisher pull out of the offset jaws?

Thank you for all the tips and information. I really appreciate it!

Have caught several over the years. Traps SC # 3, SC DLS 2, MB 450, Duke 1.5 modified, Bridget # 2 dogless. All work, bought some SC 1.5 offsets to run this year. I use 3 swivels n 2 pcs of #2 chain 3 Links each.

Ttt

I have a question would the bridger 1.75 on a drag be good for fisher

Those will work just fine for fisher.

Yes.Might have to check nearby trees.I would just wrap the drag around a nearby tree myself.

Like Bruce said you might have to check in the trees