It seems to me that the bigger coons I get every year happen to come in trail sets with bodygrippers on them. Sure I catch some nice ones on DPs or footholds with some scent by them but overall the “nice” ones seem to come off of trails. Curious If others have seen a similar trend

Yep, I have had the same experience. It's my favorite way to catch them.

I've always said that DPs miss a lot of coon. They make up for it by volume of sets you can get out .Trails are my favorite sets for coon .

This is my first year doing a split of DP's and trail sets. The 160s in trails are definitely getting big coon. My DP's haven't been getting much at all, could be cause I'm whacking them in the trails before they get to the DP's.

This is dryland farm/woods trapping, quite a ways from any real water.

I have to agree about bigger coon in trails too. Might be that they already got their belly full when they go past DP. Pick off 10 feet away in trail set. Had plenty times with DP set each side of where trail comes on field. Coon will be in the trap in trail heading into woods.

Mac

Can’t use those here. Then again I’ve never seen a coon trail either.

I agree on trails and big coons get big by going under the road rather than over it

I do a lot of my trail sets with 1/2DJ coil. Thieves don't know their even in a tail unless is a catch. I started using the 1/2 because our coon season used to open before fox. I blind set trails with 1/2. If I did catch fox I'd just release them. Catch them couple weeks later in dirt hole using same 1/2 coil.
Not have trap plugged up by coon.


Mac

Could be, or there's plenty to eat and there not interested in what you're offering.

My biggest coons were in my coni boxes, trail seemed hot for 1st week then died off, of course I never moved to newer pastures either, just trapped the same area form start to finish. I do like trail sets, even get a red fox now and then.

I like

to lay a trail of fish oil down the trail then put my Coni in place with my "Indian Rope TricK" over the top to help funnel them in.

I’m trapping around farmland as well for coon, target a few around water but find greater success around field edges

160s set In trails leading to road culverts.

yep same here some of my nicest coon were in 220 trail sets it was my number one go to set when I started trapping. Unfortunately I have not been able to run those style sets for years now, a subdivision and school was built across the street from my main trapping property so it's to risky with the free roaming cats and dogs around to run 220 trail sets any more. Now its DP's and special cubbies for most of my coon line

Try a 1 1/2 coil with a stepping stick… you’ll increase the mixed bag catch 10 fold.

Yes, squirrels, rabbits, possums, field rats, etc... lol. All the same junk that plugs up your 160's and 220's.

If you want the biggest and best coon only, and no junk, set snares in them trails. Run a fast loaded loop with a good cam lock, 7" loop, 8" up off the surface of the trail and use a SOLID support system, lock at two or 10 position so they have to be committed before it fires shut. The small coons and all the other junk walk right under the snare, it rides down their back and swings in place for the biggest coons that follow. Yes, you'll miss a few but the ones you catch will be BIG and 90-95% by the neck. $.02

Like ADC said keep your set 4" -5" inches off the trail. I started using 220 stands a long time ago. Big coon will climb over a body grip many times if it is placed on the trail.
Blend the elevated unit with whatever is there and most times those jumbos just try powering through.
In corn/bean fields watch the 3rd/4th row in for the major trail. Many times, the first one or two rows have enough sandburs that the major trail will be in a little further.
Roy

A lot of what would have been good coon trails go dead before season around here when the black desert appears.

I use a lot of 160s on stands. I’m always amazed at how big of coon I get trying to squeeze through a tight trail spot with a 160. Gets em behind the ears every time.
I get my stands from Dennis Vicars Blue Vally Fur. Very sturdy can just stomp them into the trail. Adjust the height to desire, and they act as a stake and stabilizer both.
Look like this. Mine are cabled to the trap (Dennis put a hole in one end of base plate for wiring or cabling off)
I camo spray painted mine to blend with dry grass. Not to hide from coon but to hide from people.
The stabilizer never move after a catch, but are easy to relocate further up the trail if needed.
If not using body grips I use DPs right in the trail, or a dirt hole set right on the trail.
Jim

I started combining DPs and 450s on the coon trails. The 450s are blind sets. The DPs baited they have coyote gland or Fox gland on the side of the DP. Amazing all the different animals using the trail. Fox, coyote, mink, etc…. Oh and of course Coon!! . Basically the only way I trap now. Dry land. I also do dry land mink trapping as well with 110s.

Back when I lived in MN. I caught quite a few Grey and Red Fox in the 220s set in coon trails. And yes. Big. Big Coon as well