I used to trap Coon and muskrat 40 years ago, but we didn’t have otters in the area. Now, some folks here where I stay have been waiting several years for some nice size bass, and I just figured out why there isn’t any. I’ve been reading lots, and watching lots of YouTube videos, but so far haven’t had any luck. I understand it’s a little harder in still, open water. See photos of my pond.

I found one little sign of scat, with fish bones, but wouldn’t really call it a “toilet” like I’ve read about.

My neighbor has a pond, too, almost within seeing distance. He thought he saw something in his once. I’m sure it/they move thru, from what I read.

After seeing many videos of a bucket set and tube set, I made what I thought would work well. A floating set, that has 3 or 4 8” bass in the back with a 220 Conibear waiting in the front, and a dead fish on top to get their attention. I just order some otter lure to maybe help attract them. See photos.





It’s been a week, and the only thing I caught so far was a turtle. The otters are around. I see little bass jumping for their lives everyday! I’m hoping he cavern’s otter lure will help get them interested in the bass inside, but otherwise, I’m at a loss what to do…

I’ve walked around the pond several times but see no sign, or trail. Only see them chasing fish in the water but not long enough to shoot at.

We’re in Alabama

In my humble opinion your over thinking it. Although I will compliment you on your craftsmanship.

You mentioned you walked around a looked for sign. Do it again, they are coming into that pond from somewhere. Setting up a trail they are using for access is going to be much more productive than trying to convince them to go into that bright shiny float in a groomed pond.

If that fails. Stake a piece of 8" drain tile (partially submerged) along the edge with a 220/280 at each end.

Gibb did a good article in FHA mag several years ago of a submerged pail set
you could even do a blue bucket cause it will be out of sight

Dangle a large paddle tail swimbait in the middle of the cage so that it is positioned in a natural swimming position. Wave action will make it "swim".
It would work better if you made the back end of the cage out of hardware cloth to make it more visible.

Does the pond have an overflow that is running water all the time ?If so put a couple pictures of it on here.

Castor mound a mb 750 and drowning rod

Welcome to Trapperman my friend!

Great craftsmanship, that took some time and thought to make!

There is most likely a trail, that links this pond to the other pond you mentioned. Look hard, find the trail and catch your otter there. He’s gotta be entering the pond somehow. It may be hard to find, but they’re habitual creatures, meaning the otter will use the existing trail over and over.

Of course, leave your fancy trap set and give us feedback! Good luck, you’ll get him.

John

“If that fails. Stake a piece of 8" drain tile (partially submerged) along the edge with a 220/280 at each end.“
We do have a few long lengths of green 10” water line. I can see that may be better — something they can see all the way through. Should I cut it down to about 3 or 4 foot long?

yes welcome , try and find its trail go from one pond to the other.

The overflow doesn’t run all the time, but when it does, it runs down this ditch. I can’t really tell that the otter are traveling here though…

I don't think your set up has a very good chance to connect. Otters are too smart (usually) to go through something like that. I can tell you I observed a government agency attempting to live trap otters in a lake I was trapping at the same time. They had large holding cages submerged with trout swimming around. All the otter had to do was go over the top into the cage and an electronic device would slam the lid down. Sure looked good. But in one month they caught exactly....none. Otters wouldn't get into one.

I agree with others to look for how the otters are accessing your pond.

Find a narrow spot in that overflow ditch and put in a conibear…narrow it with down with a couple sticks if needed. if legal, a 220 would be best. You’ll catch coon and otter.

Thanks. I’m getting the same feeling. My trap looks perfect, but the otters are too smart. Even with 4 nice 8” bass swimming around in there.
However! — AHA! I’ve been too focused on the pond… I walked around the neighbors pond (they’re all kin, and kinda like my grandparents) and I realized there is a tiny creek nearby. It’s raining at the moment, but they said it dwindles way down in a just a few days, but never dries up completely. The following 2 photos are taken standing at the same place:



…so you can see how close this little creek is. I can’t see any trail, but I should be able to set my 220 in the stream with a couple guide sticks once the water drops a little.

The otters will follow those over flows even if water isn't running through them. Blind set those.

That should work.

Check your laws and check with the neighbors to see if any dogs run loose. Just an off side chance of one walking in the mud, but.....

If your luck is like mine wait till after season to set and set for beaver and the otter will plug every trap full . I swear they are a beavers body guard .

Try a Big fish head on a stick like a carp or something.a foot to a foot and a half off the bank sticking out of the water with a few traps between the bank and fish head. You want the traps in shallow enough water that they are on their feet and on the deep side of the fish head they can not stand there. It makes a funnel and you'll wack them everytime. Use a drowner rig. I bet you would have some good success. I used some sword fish heads once with the bills pused down in the mud. they were there for over a year and critters were still hitting them.

Probably want to check your regs. Otter season is closed in AL.