what is the best all round foothold for otter

I really like the no bs beaver extreme 2 coil

No. 11 double longspring for the live market.

I’ve caught mine in mb750 laminated set for beaver but they held them very well.

B&L 44 Longspring

I used 3 MB750s today in a newly acquired pond with otter sign. They have done well with beaver.

Didn’t know there were folks looking for live otters. What do they want with them?

Couple of guys in the Louisiana trappers association specialize in it. Not gonna say who but one of our members on here has a pic of a truck load of live otter. Think it was like 15 ? Great guy if you ever meat him

From years back. A local trapper caught otter for MO and there otter program. He said the Sleepy Creek No. 11 was his favorite foothold to use.

Mb 750

#3 Bridger 4 coil…incidentally in beaver sets…works wonders on otters.

All I'll say is more power to him. I'll grab a live beaver by the tail but I want no part of laying hands on a live otter, lol.

Old #4 Montgomery dogless held this one pretty well.

A # 11 double long spring would hold an elephant if he could get his toe in it. Not sure how you would stake it though. Caught both otter and beaver in them, whenever you set an 11 you want to stake for anything because that trap will hold anything.

Otter are no more difficult to hold in a foot trap than most other critters....unless he has something to grab on to.

MB 650 cast will get the job done. Sadly I know.

As said above, a less welcome guest in my footholds cannot be found.

Osky

Ya warrior I was trapping some chicken killing coon on my farm one spring and was surprised to find a female otter with it's front foot in a Duke 1.5 in that small ditch behind the house. Now letting her go was interesting to say the least. Had one in a relaxing lock snare also it had a lot more room and play. My they are fast. I prefer not to catch them because it never fails when I do our season is closed. But if I catch them I much prefer them to be in a 330 or find them at the end of a wire than waiting to say high.

I have held my share in a 1-1/2 Victor pinch pan.

Ive caught numerous otters in northwoods number one double coil while trapping mink. Held them no problem albiet drowned. I would put up against nbr 11 dble springs.

My favorite otter trap is whatever I happen to have in my side by side or pirogue. Four things I make sure of: 1) Make sure the springs are strong, 2) Pan tension is not too light. 3) Swivels as those guys will twist and turn. With this I generally try not to use a foothold where he can get tangled up. 4) Center swiveled to the frame.

For the live market the B&L or Sleepy Creek #11 is the gold standard. It does little damage and it will hold any otter out there. Its been proven over and over, the #11 is the best for the live market.

If I'm out there trying to stack bodies its hard to beat a Bridger 1.75 or 1.65. If I'm trapping on flotant its hard to beat a #2 DLS. If legal in your area I wouldn't use a offset jaw trap as those little monsters twist to where I worry about them either pulling out or ringing off.