So we are interested in running some fish stick sets for coons this year and have been watching some videos on these. The latest one the stake had a spinning disk on it and no drowner. Just a stake like 40" long pushed in the ground. Could a couple raccoons pull that out? Is it better to run them on a drowner? My son is wanting to get some of these set up for next year and looking to get started on building the stakes
How do you guys like to set them up and run them?

Lots of guys do put both traps on the one stake. Shouldn't be a problem if its good and solid.
Since my coon traps are all set up on cable stakes, I just use them that way and just use the stake to put bait on.
I don't use drowners, but no reason not to if you want.

I use the fish sticks with the disk like you mentioned. I attach two #11s, and they will hold everything in them from mink to an otter. So far, I've never had one pulled out in any of the conditions I've used them in. I think there are as many variations to the types of fish sticks as there are trappers who use them.

Here is a video from Dale Billingsley on using fish sticks.

https://youtu.be/0DxPf8tcE3U?si=cU8AmE280w2DTkP_

Thank you we will check out the video
My son has a goal of 250 raccoons next year. I want to be able to help him make that goal. So we are looking at different sets to make that happen

An advantage I would speculate would be, setting off shore one may eliminate or at least reduce interactions with possums.

Anyone that uses these care to comment on the occurrence percentage of “trash”?

The one big disavantage down here is birds. Herons, egrets, grosbec....You will catch them, so you have to be prepared to humanly release them.

I agree the water course birds find great opportunities to the free offerings, particularly if they are not covered by some vegetation of sorts. Just like hanging bird wings etc over cat sets. Hawks, owls, ospreys and eagles will all find that to much to resist interest. I stopped using visuals of that type in short order.