I like chasing cats and am have a question for some of the experienced trappers on here. What do you use for traps? Do you use MB 450 or 550 traps which do you prefer? I have heard that the MB 450 is lighter, which makes sense as it is smaller but is it as effective as the MB 550 with its smaller pan?

I am new to this forum and have only been trapping three years, first with cage traps in which I really knocked down the possum population, then with some Dukes which I really did not like: having to make adjustments to chain and tension where as the MB 550 comes ready to go out the box. Like the MB 550 but I really hunt some rugged areas in the mountains and the less weight of the MB450 would be nice. I have however never owned a 450 having bought most of my traps online. I am also concerned about the pan size difference between the two traps. I am getting ready to purchase some pan extenders, not sure what they are called but want to increase pan size to increase the chance of the cat stepping on the pan.

The way I hunt is I set traps and I also call an area. So weight is a factor because I use an electronic caller. I have had way more success on cats with a crossbow, shotgun and rifle.


I appreciate any feedback

I have both and I’ve caught several coyotes and cats in both. I like them both. I have no preference to which I grab first either. The only difference I’ve noticed is my 550’s came in set right at 3.0# and the 450’s were set at 3.5#. I will say this, I’ve had no toe catches with the 450’s but have had them with the 550’s. Of course I have more 550’s also. Almost a 2:1 ratio.

I would go with the 550. I do not have any experience with the 450 but I like the bigger jaw spread. Most of my cat trapping is done with #3 or #4s though. Is your area heavily wooded?

My hunting area is mixed. There are open hay fields, timbered ridges, logged area and a huge thicket on the backside. Seems to be plenty of cats and while I have mostly seen coyote scat I have cat pictures on trail cams.

I also hunt the mountains where it is rugged, rocky with a lot of logged areas.

I have caught a lot of cats in mb 550s. That what i would go with.

There both very good traps,but for cats use the 550 bigger jaw spread is always better for cats,they don't move their feet around as much as a canine working a set etc. natural walk through sets are killer for cats.

I’d go 550 all the way.

Consensus certainly appears to be MB 550 so my original choice appears to be a good one. Are the recommended 550's 4 coiled or is that overkill for a Bobcat. I do some times target coyote. Thank you!

2 coil is plenty strong

thank you!

I have caught piles of coyotes in 2 coil mb550s, never an issue

I have never owned any 450s and I've heard great things about them but man they're small. I was handling one yesterday in a store and I had forgotten how little they were. About like a 1.5 sized trap.

We put Wild River expanded pans on our 550s.

Bigger target area in 550 seems to make sense for a big footed cat. We don’t have many around here and I need all the odds I can get to my favor.
I do have both traps and both built like little tanks. The 450 is a little small a lot like a 1.5 coil it seems to me. Neat fox trap I bet but sounds like some on here use them for cats just fine too.

I run a lot of Bridger #2s for coyotes and cats, but mostly because that is majority of my arsenal and I could afford more of them than the MBs. I set my MBs in more secure areas in my line.

Cats aren’t hard to hold at all. 2 coil is all I run even for coyotes.

Tried four coils couple seasons and realized how whimpy I am as I get older to set them and also the extra spring strength didn’t seem necessary so I took the boosters off. I just replace the two coils as they weaken and I don’t four coil any more.

Jim

My next project.

Mix it up. Get you a dozen or two of the 450s and give them a try. Not a lot of room for pan extension but you don’t need it.

Might try the 450. Bought 3 Dukes to try out and did not like them but nothing tried nothing gained.

Caught one cat last season in a 550 off set. Held him good and release him with nothing wrong with his foot.

two or four coil?

Man all I use are 2 coiled traps offset and closed jaws on the 550’s and closed jaw only on the 450’s, they all hold bobcats anchored with Super Stakes or drags. I’ve had full pad catches and 1 toe catches, a bobcat was waiting on me with them all. I’m slowly adding more closed jaws just because I think the 550’s have too wide of a gap. But, 2 coils hold the same as a 4 coil. If his foot is in the trap, he’s not getting out.