I hate catching them in anything larger than a 220.

Why?

^^^^^^^^^^^^ Please explain because in my opinion the 280 is the ultimate otter trap. In my experience the 280 closes fast and has the power that results in a quick humane dispatch.

X2. The 330 seems a bit big resulting in hip catches.

220 is a perfect otter trap.Especially when trapping under ice.
280 is better than a 330 on land
330 is good when set submerged early or in a deep run later.

I am also a big fan of the 280. I will add that we have some very large otter, here.


Those are 7' boards, for reference.

Why so narrow on the boards? I would think for Alaskan otters you would be wider than that.

Boards are actually 10" wide, but you are correct. They could be 11"-12".


My improvisation.

My bad Alaska. I read that as 7" wide. You going to turn it hair side out? LOL

In ks we can't legally use a 220 if it's over half submerged in water...fine on land, though.

I caught one yesterday in a 330 and as usual it was suitcased. 220 belisle catch them right behind their ears every time. Usually they don’t move the stabilizer.

File your triggers, tune your traps. Don't blame the trap for your lack of adjustment to ensure quick, clean kills

With properly tuned and sensitive triggers, I have had mostly neck catches with 330's. I don't recall ever having a hip caught one in a 330. That said, I can see where a smaller trap would result in more forward on the torso hits. I have caught them in 220's, 280's and 330's and they were all dead very quickly.

If you look at the size of a Duke 330, the set height is not much bigger than a 280. I believe a Duke 330 will close on an otter almost in the same spot as a 280. Having said that, I will not hesitate to use another brand if I don't have a 280 or Duke available.

I
I have.

Yesterdays check… Not sure why this otter wasn’t suitcased. Her head and upper torso wound up between the springs. She was difficult to get out of the springs before I could compress that side and get her out of the trap. Any idea how this happened? Guessing she turned herself into the spring after firing.

Anyone who has caught a bunch of otters in 330s will have seen that.
Not 100% sure how it happens but I think they power out their front end.before the trap springs have a chance to "set"
330 is not the best otter trap.

2 good siz d otter, belisle 280’s. Yes, how are they not suitcased? The only explanation that makes sense to me is they power out so I agree with boco but am still guessing.

x3