Whats your thoughts on big pans on traps for cats? Drew a cat tag. Thinking about trying some this season.
Also trying some exposed traps ? Thanks in advance…Jeff

I use k9 extreme with expand-a-pan pans on them. And I leave them exposed. That works for me.

MB 550 with a Mike Kelly (aka Wildrivertraps.com) pan is money.

We catch a lot of bobcats with those same traps and WR trap pan covers ^^^.

I like 3n dbl long springs with a PIT pan on them not too large you risk toe catches but large enough if they step just about anywhere in the jaw they’re gonna get caught.

I put 5 dz WR pans on 550s this year to try. I Always miss a few each year with the 550s , even with good blocking. I hope it cuts the misses down.

I would have no use for a larger pan if I wasn't setting the cat traps exposed. If all you have are coil springs you can buy or make expanded pans that'll look like Freddy Keuegar has had at them but the ol DLS traps really shine for this type of set up.

What brand and size is that trap? I am new to cat trapping and I really like the Double long spring traps. I’d like to get some set up to run some exposed sets

Thank you

Thank you very much. I will be getting some of these set up

We used pan covers like Leftlane for years, the WR trap pan covers are much better but not as cheap.
No issue with toe catches on them either.

I'm also a member of the expanded pan & exposed trap club, especially on my MB's. For my DLS and Bridgers I use slip over pan covers, which essentially expand the pans. Pics were for photo op, and not an actual set.

I also have some MB 550's with Mike Kelly's pans installed. I like them for exposed cat sets. But I have had problems with them not firing several times when I have used them in covered sets. I now use them only in exposed sets.

Why not just use soup can lids glued to the pan. Spray adhesive and some sand would look, (to me), pretty similar.
Am I missing something?

A soup can lid will work but are not durable - easily bent up and chewed up. I welded round electric receptacle covers on my 3 and 4 double longsprings pans to enlarge them. After dipping the traps in paint cut with acetone, I pour a little sand on these expanded pans (when the paint is still wet) so they look like a round piece of sandstone.

So, do you take the pan off when you want to treat/wax the trap? I know some cat guys in the SW don’t wax their traps.

Question. How do you guys get the sand to stay on you trap pans?????

I suggest NOT using sand, because there really isn't any way to get it to stay. Sand continues to slough off and degrade as time goes on. Instead, I use corn cob grit (used in fur tumblers or rifle brass polishing). It won't degrade and is very durable. To attach it, go to the hardware store and get a tube of industrial glue (I prefer the Loktite brand that says on the label that it glue's metal). Smear a glob on the pan and use something like an old credit card to smooth it. Get it real thin, then add the corn cob grit and mash it into the glue. Let dry and then wax your trap to better seal the corn cob grit to the pan.

And to catch the ex-wife... Just leave the credit card glued to the pan.

If you have an "ex" then you didn't do something right.

You can wax with the pans on, ours are tack welded on.

Number 4 Victor with electrical box cover to enlarge the pan. Painted with Rustoleun primer and paint and actetone mix. Dusted the pan with sand when wet. Painted with a second coat after drying.




They work good for exposed cat sets. The cats don't seem to mind the little holes on the edge of the new pans:)

A shot of spray paint on the pan will change it too a more natural color of your choosing if you like.

( would that something be : Not marry her ? )

Why not just put it out here for everyone?

Another alternative to cover a pan to make it look more natural is Tread Tape.

I have all my traps set up like this. Same pan for Bridger 1.65 and MB550. I've tried both spot welding and rivets. The rivets do get loose after a couple catches so I dont do that anymore.