I am starting to prep traps for this season. I have a mixed bag of 11's. Some Sleepy Creek, some Newhouse. The SC are center chained and the NH have the chain on a spring.

Which way do you prefer and why?

Mainly going to be using these in water sets, targeting mink with pockets, but in areas with very high raccoon densities. Water is plenty deep.

End swiveled for me. I like them pulling towards the tighter corner of the jaw vs. the top center where it's easiest to pull out. Easier on your knee too if you set them over your knee. I don't think you'll have any trouble with either way, but I certainly would never move the chain to the center. I don't think its a big enough deal with 11's to move it from the center either if they came that way from the factory. I can say whoever thought it would be a good idea to drill a hold in the center of the base and use a J hook to move the chain there... well lets say I don't think its a good idea.

I prefer side swiveled on my 11s. My sleepy creeks were center. I put split rings on to change that. To me, on drowners sets, it just seems better.

Thanks guys. I was tuning them and they are easier to set over the knee when attached to a spring. I was also thinking if using them on rocks, for Mink, it'd be a lot easier to stabilize if the chain was attached to a spring.

ADC, you make a good point about pulling in the middle versus the end.

I've got a 50/50 split of them, I'll run them as is this year and make any changes during or after season.

Mine are in the center simply because that is where SC put them.
I have been thinking about buying some of the Newhouse traps to try. They are made in America like Sleepy Creek was?

Newhouse on the left, Sleepy Creek on the right. Both stock.