Mink trap

Best trap for mink in your opinion?

A set one

The old No 2 square jaw in blind sets or any 1 1/2 coil square jaw preferably

Depends on the set. If there is a chance it isn't a drowning set, I like a #1 longspring.
If a certain drowning set, a 1,-1/2 coilspring with a finely tuned pan.

1 1/2 coil with flopper pan. Went with fossil's advice on pan set up and increased my catch ratio greatly. He was using the "return of the legend" flopper pans that mtp sells.

lots of em

I want a lightweight trap the mink, or muskrat, can easily take down a drowner cable and be out of sight of predators. I run a multiple-day check and therefore do not want a mink dead in a large trap in shallow water.

After years of experimenting, at this point in my trapping life I've settled on the Bridger #1 coilspring modified with the pan from a Duke #1 1/2 coilspring. Shortened chain with extra swivel near the end of it. S-hooked to 3/32" GAC drowner cable.

Small diameter pocket with this trap just a hint inside the mouth. Will take muskrat, mink and 'coon down very easily. Out of sight and intact.

30" length or so of 4" drain tile, curled just a bit, up tight to a steep bank that curves with the pipe in shallow water and covered with vegetation pinned in the middle with a barn spike. If the bank doesn't curl, a tile spade can do the job in just a few seconds. One of these traps on either end, one lever just inside with the dog away from the bank. Mink can't see through due to the curl of the pipe. Quick to set up and will work with fluctuating water levels.

Again, I run multiple-day checks. For those fellas running a daily check with a bigger foothold trap that kills 'em right now and actually acts like a bodygrip that's a good plan. I believe the Beav has perfected that set.

Anyway, for what it's worth. Stock Bridger #1 coilspring on the left, modified on the right. Dang I love these traps.

First thing you do (whatever you buy) is to swap out the worthless stock pans for Mikes, or similar, mink pans. About impossible to get a stock pan light enough for even rats. Note: what you think is light enough in your garage doesn't always compute out on line when it's freezing.

Then wax them and keep them waxed.

This is one of the reasons guys liked the old Victor #2 square jaws. Yes, people tote about the large jaw spread but that's one trap that had a very light pan tension (compared to other stock traps).

I agree. I did the same thing. The difference is blinding. And has anyone caught more mink then he? No!

Half of my traps are outfitted with the old style and half with Mikes. I like them both but I'll give the nod to Mikes (Wildriver pans) as they are pre bent and all the same tension. Alittle bigger and heavier steel as well, but both are great pans.

Agree fully.

The naked Dukes got the upgrade with the Wildriver pans. Used in drowner sets where "deep enough" water is adjacent to the set.

My mink traps are #2 coils, square jaw, light trigger. The reason being I want the extra area as mink legs are short, and the weight, will wear them out, and drown them. I trap blind sets exclusively, dog to the bank. I set with jump sticks in the water, front and back of trap to center the mink. I used either wood stakes or heavy plow share drags. The only problem I have ever had with this set up is coons in my traps.

I like 1 1/2 Victors with the pinch pan (as some refer to them). They will hold a large coon too.

Are #2 offsets good or do they have to be closed jaw?

I prefer a closed jaw, with a square inside jaw edge on them. Many water animals have small feet, and get smaller and you go down to the toes. The closed jaw and square inside edge does a better jon holding them IMHO.

1.5 coil spring traps with the Mike Kelly pan.

1.5 double coil spring work well on mink, very versatile trap too.

another fan of the old square jaw victor #2 on a drowner......

Nice pic, Rendezvous.

1.5 No BS or Bridger Special

I use #11’s double jaw with big pans, and a hair trigger. a #11 double will hold ANYTHING that gets in it. It is a little difficult to use #11 in a pocket set.

I run stock Duke 1 1/2's. Tuned to my preferences.
I won't wax them. Imo a tuned waxed trap is fine for the first animal. After a coon catch the wax is gone and now the pan tension changes.
I have yet to swap out the pans. Some day I may make some from scratch
I have a few ideas floating around in my head on a different designs then what is out there.

The #2 vic best mink trap going. Add a pinch pan and you have the perfect trap for rats and mink.
Or the 1 1/2 duke with a pinch pan and the springs weakened.
No need to be running complicated drowning systems. Just add some more chain and stake out away from the bank. Most critters like rats and mink die from stress or hypothermia anyway.

Glad to see you made it back from your sabbatical pcr. Was getting lonely being the only sheep herder on here.

That post was pre-sabbatical!!

My bad

White Trash, that post from pcr2 is 26+ months old, I don't think he will be back for quite awhile, if at all .

Sorry WT88, I'm very slow on a keyboard.

Wasn’t some guys putting pans from a #3 Bridger on a #1 or 11/2 Bridger for a mink trap. I thought I seen some for sale awhile back in the trap shed.

https://youtu.be/OuUJaip2JPc