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Otter lures??? #8404749
05/16/25 09:03 PM
05/16/25 09:03 PM
Joined: Mar 2014
Southwest Virginia
C
C.O. Trapper Offline OP
trapper
C.O. Trapper  Offline OP
trapper
C

Joined: Mar 2014
Southwest Virginia
Getting orders for lure and such together and was wondering if otter lure is really worth trying? I've used mink lure in the past for mink and didn't really see noticeable results and I'm kinda thinking that otters would behave in a similar way. Just looking for input and suggestions on lures people use.

Thanks


"Beaver will shine again."
Re: Otter lures??? [Re: C.O. Trapper] #8404755
05/16/25 09:23 PM
05/16/25 09:23 PM
Joined: Apr 2011
Covington, VA
D
Dewey S Offline
trapper
Dewey S  Offline
trapper
D

Joined: Apr 2011
Covington, VA
The only Otter lure that I had success with is actually a Beaver lure. Predator Control Group Enrager.

Re: Otter lures??? [Re: C.O. Trapper] #8404869
05/17/25 02:24 AM
05/17/25 02:24 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Northern Illinois
M
MChewk Offline
trapper
MChewk  Offline
trapper
M

Joined: Dec 2006
Northern Illinois
C.O., I see MTP has a new one on the market...might want to try it out.

Re: Otter lures??? [Re: C.O. Trapper] #8404903
05/17/25 07:59 AM
05/17/25 07:59 AM
Joined: Apr 2009
South Ga - Almost Florida
Swamp Wolf Offline
trapper
Swamp Wolf  Offline
trapper

Joined: Apr 2009
South Ga - Almost Florida
MTP's Otter Lure Supreme has caught many otters at dirthole sets. Lure only...no bait.


Thank God For Your Blessings!
Never Half-Arse Anything!

Resource Protection Service

Re: Otter lures??? [Re: C.O. Trapper] #8405134
05/17/25 06:33 PM
05/17/25 06:33 PM
Joined: Nov 2024
Alaska
A
AK Timber Tramp Offline
trapper
AK Timber Tramp  Offline
trapper
A

Joined: Nov 2024
Alaska
I wouldn’t bother with it. Blind sets take 99% of my otters

Re: Otter lures??? [Re: C.O. Trapper] #8405151
05/17/25 07:19 PM
05/17/25 07:19 PM
Joined: Jan 2022
Texas
Sharkhunter Offline
trapper
Sharkhunter  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jan 2022
Texas
I have an otter on a property I trap that’s is probably a mile from any water. He runs the roads at night hunting like a coyote and goes by several of my sets but don’t care for traditional coyote bait one bit. I’m guessing shell fish or fish would get him ? I’ve never trapped otter.

Re: Otter lures??? [Re: Sharkhunter] #8405173
05/17/25 08:04 PM
05/17/25 08:04 PM
Joined: Nov 2024
Alaska
A
AK Timber Tramp Offline
trapper
AK Timber Tramp  Offline
trapper
A

Joined: Nov 2024
Alaska
Originally Posted by Sharkhunter
I have an otter on a property I trap that’s is probably a mile from any water. He runs the roads at night hunting like a coyote and goes by several of my sets but don’t care for traditional coyote bait one bit. I’m guessing shell fish or fish would get him ? I’ve never trapped otter.

If he’s running the road, trap him in the road. Blind set a few good strong #2’s/#3’s

Re: Otter lures??? [Re: AK Timber Tramp] #8405192
05/17/25 08:41 PM
05/17/25 08:41 PM
Joined: Jan 2022
Texas
Sharkhunter Offline
trapper
Sharkhunter  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jan 2022
Texas
I’m trying, problem is he runs right in the tracks so farm equipment takes its toll. I’ll get him I just need something to pull him to the center. I’m thinking. Shell fish oil or fish oil.

Re: Otter lures??? [Re: C.O. Trapper] #8405195
05/17/25 08:45 PM
05/17/25 08:45 PM
Joined: Apr 2009
South Ga - Almost Florida
Swamp Wolf Offline
trapper
Swamp Wolf  Offline
trapper

Joined: Apr 2009
South Ga - Almost Florida
An otter is a bigger sucker for a dirthole set than a fox is. Just find the area where the otter is travelling where you can positively anchor away from brush or trees.....or you can use a drowning rig.

But, if you just wanna use just blind sets....get em.

Last edited by Swamp Wolf; 05/17/25 08:45 PM.

Thank God For Your Blessings!
Never Half-Arse Anything!

Resource Protection Service

Re: Otter lures??? [Re: Sharkhunter] #8405263
05/18/25 12:06 AM
05/18/25 12:06 AM
Joined: Nov 2024
Alaska
A
AK Timber Tramp Offline
trapper
AK Timber Tramp  Offline
trapper
A

Joined: Nov 2024
Alaska
Originally Posted by Sharkhunter
I’m trying, problem is he runs right in the tracks so farm equipment takes its toll. I’ll get him I just need something to pull him to the center. I’m thinking. Shell fish oil or fish oil.

That might work where you’re at, here the otter are not food motivated at all, they have an unlimited supply of shellfish, fish, crabs, whatever they want. They may respond to otter glands from curiosity, but you said you haven’t trapped them before, so I’m assuming you don’t have any (yet)

Re: Otter lures??? [Re: Swamp Wolf] #8405367
05/18/25 10:52 AM
05/18/25 10:52 AM
Joined: Dec 2007
40 years Alaska, now Oregon
A
alaska viking Offline
"Made it two years not being censored"
alaska viking  Offline
"Made it two years not being censored"
A

Joined: Dec 2007
40 years Alaska, now Oregon
Originally Posted by Swamp Wolf
An otter is a bigger sucker for a dirthole set than a fox is. Just find the area where the otter is travelling where you can positively anchor away from brush or trees.....or you can use a drowning rig.

But, if you just wanna use just blind sets....get em.

This. Make a dirt hole set with pleny of disturbance. You don't need bait.
I wouldn't bother with shellfish oil, or fish oil.
Belive it or not try some castor based beaver lure. Even far from water, the otter will check it out.
And use a little fencing at the set, and a big rock behind the dirt hole.


Just doing what I want now.

Re: Otter lures??? [Re: C.O. Trapper] #8405682
05/18/25 10:22 PM
05/18/25 10:22 PM
Joined: Mar 2014
Southwest Virginia
C
C.O. Trapper Offline OP
trapper
C.O. Trapper  Offline OP
trapper
C

Joined: Mar 2014
Southwest Virginia
Thanks for all the advise I'm goin to have to try out i little of everything to try and get my first otter this year.


"Beaver will shine again."
Re: Otter lures??? [Re: C.O. Trapper] #8405743
05/19/25 06:09 AM
05/19/25 06:09 AM
Joined: Dec 2015
NNY
0
080808 Offline
trapper
080808  Offline
trapper
0

Joined: Dec 2015
NNY
Conibears set at beaver dams and small streams emptying into larger body of water.

Re: Otter lures??? [Re: C.O. Trapper] #8405753
05/19/25 07:13 AM
05/19/25 07:13 AM
Joined: Jul 2013
Warren, (Southeast) Texas
ETexTrapper Offline
trapper
ETexTrapper  Offline
trapper

Joined: Jul 2013
Warren, (Southeast) Texas
[Linked Image]
Dirt holes work on otter. Lure I made using otter glands, tonquin, mink glands and sweet skunk from Bob Jameson.


Jordan ADC and Trap Modification
Re: Otter lures??? [Re: C.O. Trapper] #8405776
05/19/25 08:43 AM
05/19/25 08:43 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Northern Illinois
M
MChewk Offline
trapper
MChewk  Offline
trapper
M

Joined: Dec 2006
Northern Illinois
Nice otter Rodney! Looks a Hoss!

Re: Otter lures??? [Re: C.O. Trapper] #8406348
05/20/25 09:52 AM
05/20/25 09:52 AM
Joined: Mar 2014
Southwest Virginia
C
C.O. Trapper Offline OP
trapper
C.O. Trapper  Offline OP
trapper
C

Joined: Mar 2014
Southwest Virginia
Crazy to think of trapping a otter in a dirt hole. Can you use alot of guiding at those sets or will it deter them?


"Beaver will shine again."
Re: Otter lures??? [Re: C.O. Trapper] #8406420
05/20/25 12:02 PM
05/20/25 12:02 PM
Joined: Apr 2009
South Ga - Almost Florida
Swamp Wolf Offline
trapper
Swamp Wolf  Offline
trapper

Joined: Apr 2009
South Ga - Almost Florida
Originally Posted by C.O. Trapper
Crazy to think of trapping a otter in a dirt hole. Can you use alot of guiding at those sets or will it deter them?

You can use a lot of guiding.

A double dirthole set...with opposing holes...trap in center...is killer. Use no bait but a different lure in each hole. Otter will be all over the set, twisting and turning, as he investigates the odors and holes (dig em deep....12" plus.)

Any commercial otter lure will work or use mink gland, ambrette, tonquin, muskrat gland. A mildly skunky lure of any brand works like a champ, too.

Back during the last otter fur boom (2010 & 2011)....caught just under 200 otters....about 1/3 were caught at dirthole sets at dryland otter toilets....most on private road culvert pipe locations, but several at toilets and crawlouts anywhere I found them.


Thank God For Your Blessings!
Never Half-Arse Anything!

Resource Protection Service

Re: Otter lures??? [Re: C.O. Trapper] #8406435
05/20/25 12:27 PM
05/20/25 12:27 PM
Joined: Aug 2011
Craigmont, Idaho
M
marty weatherup Offline
trapper
marty weatherup  Offline
trapper
M

Joined: Aug 2011
Craigmont, Idaho
When I trapped Eastern Washington before we lost foot traps I had some ranches that bordered the Snake River. Some had field roads that brought me right down within a few yards of the river. Not only were they good coyote locations but I generally picked up an otter or two in dirt holes there. And could count on a coyote or two in the remake. They seemed to be really attracted to those otter catch circles.


Trail cameras and fresh snow have broke a lot of trapper’s hearts.
Re: Otter lures??? [Re: C.O. Trapper] #8406519
05/20/25 02:55 PM
05/20/25 02:55 PM
Joined: Jan 2024
Oregon
D
Deafcaller Offline
trapper
Deafcaller  Offline
trapper
D

Joined: Jan 2024
Oregon
I have a lot of luck with compass sets on dry ground for otter. Usually use jamesons terminator, fox cream and a very small dab of ultra call and trout oil or fresh mice in the 4th hole. Set the trap in the center of the holes. Jamesons fox cream and dobbins Beaver Plus also works good for otter on the tall bank punch hole sets. As Marty said, if you catch one on dry ground coyotes will sure check out the remake. So will lions.


Deafcaller
Re: Otter lures??? [Re: Deafcaller] #8406520
05/20/25 02:59 PM
05/20/25 02:59 PM
Joined: Apr 2009
South Ga - Almost Florida
Swamp Wolf Offline
trapper
Swamp Wolf  Offline
trapper

Joined: Apr 2009
South Ga - Almost Florida
Originally Posted by Deafcaller
I have a lot of luck with compass sets on dry ground for otter. Usually use jamesons terminator, fox cream and a very small dab of ultra call and trout oil or fresh mice in the 4th hole. Set the trap in the center of the holes. Jamesons fox cream and dobbins beaver plus also works good for otter on the tall bank punch hole sets. As Marty said, if you catch one on dry ground coyotes will sure check out the remake. So will lions.

I can see where that compass set would be deadly...the way otter stomp all around.

Bobcats are almost a guarantee at otter toilets down here.


Thank God For Your Blessings!
Never Half-Arse Anything!

Resource Protection Service

Re: Otter lures??? [Re: C.O. Trapper] #8406556
05/20/25 04:56 PM
05/20/25 04:56 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Midlands South Carolina
S
SGT. C Offline
trapper
SGT. C  Offline
trapper
S

Joined: Dec 2006
Midlands South Carolina
Seems Dobbins Woodchipper works. Caught a few with it.

Sarge


A hero voluntary walks into the dangers of the unknown
Freedom is accomplished by good men willing to do bad things to bad people





Re: Otter lures??? [Re: SGT. C] #8406582
05/20/25 05:40 PM
05/20/25 05:40 PM
Joined: Apr 2009
South Ga - Almost Florida
Swamp Wolf Offline
trapper
Swamp Wolf  Offline
trapper

Joined: Apr 2009
South Ga - Almost Florida
Originally Posted by SGT. C
Seems Dobbins Woodchipper works. Caught a few with it.

Sarge

Proof that otters are very curious^^^^^

Woodchipper is a beaver food lure, ie tree oils.


Thank God For Your Blessings!
Never Half-Arse Anything!

Resource Protection Service

Re: Otter lures??? [Re: Swamp Wolf] #8406798
05/20/25 11:02 PM
05/20/25 11:02 PM
Joined: Dec 2006
Goldsboro, North Carolina
Paul Dobbins Offline
"Trapperman custodian"
Paul Dobbins  Offline
"Trapperman custodian"

Joined: Dec 2006
Goldsboro, North Carolina
Originally Posted by Swamp Wolf
Originally Posted by SGT. C
Seems Dobbins Woodchipper works. Caught a few with it.

Sarge

Proof that otters are very curious^^^^^

Woodchipper is a beaver food lure, ie tree oils.


Nah, no tree oils in Woodchipper. The base is 4-herb. It would be a curiosity to otters. I wouldn't consider it a good otter lure though. Beaver Plus has way more otters to its credit than Woodchipper.


John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

[Linked Image]
Re: Otter lures??? [Re: C.O. Trapper] #8407020
05/21/25 11:15 AM
05/21/25 11:15 AM
Joined: Apr 2009
South Ga - Almost Florida
Swamp Wolf Offline
trapper
Swamp Wolf  Offline
trapper

Joined: Apr 2009
South Ga - Almost Florida
I sure thought I could smell some poplar bud/birch and such in Woodchipper. I stand corrected.


Thank God For Your Blessings!
Never Half-Arse Anything!

Resource Protection Service

Re: Otter lures??? [Re: C.O. Trapper] #8407104
05/21/25 02:15 PM
05/21/25 02:15 PM
Joined: Jan 2016
Belair MD
V
VictorD Offline
trapper
VictorD  Offline
trapper
V

Joined: Jan 2016
Belair MD
Mink gland lure or bobcat gland lure. Both work great for otters. I know Otters hate mink, so that is why mink lure works. Not sure why the bobcat gland lure works, but it sure does. I saw it on you tube from Dale Billings a few years ago. Figured I would try it. Glad I did.

Re: Otter lures??? [Re: C.O. Trapper] #8408395
05/23/25 08:37 PM
05/23/25 08:37 PM
Joined: Aug 2008
Sumner, Mo.
C
claycreech Offline
trapper
claycreech  Offline
trapper
C

Joined: Aug 2008
Sumner, Mo.
Any bait lure will guarantee a coon in the trap!

Re: Otter lures??? [Re: C.O. Trapper] #8408861
05/24/25 05:45 PM
05/24/25 05:45 PM
Joined: Mar 2014
Southwest Virginia
C
C.O. Trapper Offline OP
trapper
C.O. Trapper  Offline OP
trapper
C

Joined: Mar 2014
Southwest Virginia
Awsome info guys. Thanks alot I'm looking forward to trying that double dirthole. I've never heard of a compass set I'll have to study on that one.


"Beaver will shine again."
Re: Otter lures??? [Re: C.O. Trapper] #8408889
05/24/25 06:47 PM
05/24/25 06:47 PM
Joined: Mar 2007
Midland, MI.
Seldom Offline
trapper
Seldom  Offline
trapper

Joined: Mar 2007
Midland, MI.
LMAO! I can’t help it, every time someone mentions the double-dirt hole set I can’t help but remember an infamous pair of trappers from Indiana that used the “ Double-Dirt Hole Alien Set” when making a 400 coyote run in 2 weeks. I’m forbidden to mention one fella’s name here but I will say to those who were really here back then, “BAIT’EM-UP!!! You’ll understand why I said that if you were here!

Last edited by Seldom; 05/24/25 06:49 PM.

"A few want to know WHY, the majority appear to be satisfied just knowing HOW!"
Youtube Channel- SeldomFales
Re: Otter lures??? [Re: C.O. Trapper] #8408933
05/24/25 08:32 PM
05/24/25 08:32 PM
Joined: Jan 2024
Oregon
D
Deafcaller Offline
trapper
Deafcaller  Offline
trapper
D

Joined: Jan 2024
Oregon
Compass set is 4 holes. Trap set in the middle of them. The double dirt hole I use for the water is one hole about 4-5” above the other. Makes them stand up and check it out. Got the tip from lenons lures online articles.


Deafcaller
Re: Otter lures??? [Re: C.O. Trapper] #8408944
05/24/25 08:52 PM
05/24/25 08:52 PM
Joined: Dec 2007
40 years Alaska, now Oregon
A
alaska viking Offline
"Made it two years not being censored"
alaska viking  Offline
"Made it two years not being censored"
A

Joined: Dec 2007
40 years Alaska, now Oregon
My years in southeast Alaska, where there are a LOT of otter, when the price tanked, I would make ! otter set every opening day, on a point that was visited by every otter that passed. This was in the ocean, and the otter had a smorgasbord of available food sources. It was a blind trail set that was guarded by a 280, and next check always held an otter. I would then pull the set, and that evening I was reminded of why I hate skinning and fleshing those torpedoes.
However, that usually wasn't my only otter for the season, as they would find my mink boxes and wolverine cubbies, too. And I know that a Belisle 120 will hold a smallish otter, and so will a #1 longspring. I also know bailing wire usually will not!
Mink gland lure hooked a few, as did beaver castor and Gusto.
I really never put much stock in lure for otter, but trap location is the key.


Just doing what I want now.

Re: Otter lures??? [Re: alaska viking] #8409187
05/25/25 01:22 PM
05/25/25 01:22 PM
Joined: Nov 2024
Alaska
A
AK Timber Tramp Offline
trapper
AK Timber Tramp  Offline
trapper
A

Joined: Nov 2024
Alaska
Originally Posted by alaska viking
My years in southeast Alaska, where there are a LOT of otter, when the price tanked, I would make ! otter set every opening day, on a point that was visited by every otter that passed. This was in the ocean, and the otter had a smorgasbord of available food sources. It was a blind trail set that was guarded by a 280, and next check always held an otter. I would then pull the set, and that evening I was reminded of why I hate skinning and fleshing those torpedoes.
However, that usually wasn't my only otter for the season, as they would find my mink boxes and wolverine cubbies, too. And I know that a Belisle 120 will hold a smallish otter, and so will a #1 longspring. I also know bailing wire usually will not!
Mink gland lure hooked a few, as did beaver castor and Gusto.
I really never put much stock in lure for otter, but trap location is the key.

That’s been my experience also, I just blind set where they’re going to be. We have so many of them, they’ll tell you where to set if you’re paying attention. And they have so much food available I haven’t ever spent time trying to appeal to their stomachs. I’ve never tried a curiosity set for them, not that it wouldn’t work, I’ve just never felt like I needed to, any rocky point in the ocean will get otter traffic, log piles along the beach will get otter traffic, any small stream feeding into the ocean, small islands, etc. I have had limited success with submerged buckets, but that’s usually something I set near docks where there’s no good place to set, and the water is 20’+ deep, so it’s the only set I can think of to put in.

Re: Otter lures??? [Re: C.O. Trapper] #8409236
05/25/25 03:01 PM
05/25/25 03:01 PM
Joined: Apr 2009
South Ga - Almost Florida
Swamp Wolf Offline
trapper
Swamp Wolf  Offline
trapper

Joined: Apr 2009
South Ga - Almost Florida
2010 - 2011

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]


Thank God For Your Blessings!
Never Half-Arse Anything!

Resource Protection Service

Re: Otter lures??? [Re: Swamp Wolf] #8409259
05/25/25 03:47 PM
05/25/25 03:47 PM
Joined: Sep 2021
Southeast Louisiana
S
Slipknot Offline
trapper
Slipknot  Offline
trapper
S

Joined: Sep 2021
Southeast Louisiana
Originally Posted by Swamp Wolf
2010 - 2011

[Linked Image]
[Linked Image]

Swamp is that when they were going around 80 dollars a piece.

Re: Otter lures??? [Re: C.O. Trapper] #8409280
05/25/25 04:22 PM
05/25/25 04:22 PM
Joined: Apr 2009
South Ga - Almost Florida
Swamp Wolf Offline
trapper
Swamp Wolf  Offline
trapper

Joined: Apr 2009
South Ga - Almost Florida
Slipknot,
Averages were about that.

All those went to NAFA.

The 70+/- otter in the top pic brought $6000 and change.


Thank God For Your Blessings!
Never Half-Arse Anything!

Resource Protection Service

Re: Otter lures??? [Re: C.O. Trapper] #8409427
05/25/25 08:39 PM
05/25/25 08:39 PM
Joined: Dec 2007
40 years Alaska, now Oregon
A
alaska viking Offline
"Made it two years not being censored"
alaska viking  Offline
"Made it two years not being censored"
A

Joined: Dec 2007
40 years Alaska, now Oregon
Swamp Wolf, those skins look great. Nice handling. I know that Trapped4ever takes a ton of otter, and has expert skinning and handling skill. he traps southeast Alaska, and gets top dollar, even in down markets. As prices have improved, I hope those chasing otter get rewarded for the work required to properly finish those things. They really are a neat animal, and the fur is amazing. I don't understand why they aren't $200.00 average pelts.


Just doing what I want now.

Re: Otter lures??? [Re: C.O. Trapper] #8409485
05/25/25 10:22 PM
05/25/25 10:22 PM
Joined: Apr 2009
South Ga - Almost Florida
Swamp Wolf Offline
trapper
Swamp Wolf  Offline
trapper

Joined: Apr 2009
South Ga - Almost Florida
Id sure like to see otter increase to those levels again. Have plenty of otter down here with good access.


Thank God For Your Blessings!
Never Half-Arse Anything!

Resource Protection Service

Re: Otter lures??? [Re: Dewey S] #8423348
06/21/25 12:36 AM
06/21/25 12:36 AM
Joined: Nov 2007
Manitoba Canada
lorne Offline
trapper
lorne  Offline
trapper

Joined: Nov 2007
Manitoba Canada
Originally Posted by Dewey S
The only Otter lure that I had success with is actually a Beaver lure. Predator Control Group Enrager.


Had the same experience with Enrager.Had to stop using it on beaver control jobs.Could not keep otter out of it..Talked to Clint in 2018 at Escanaba.He figured the tonquin was the reason


Respect the animal ,it was a gift,as was the right to harvest it.

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