Author Topic: Otter tubes? (Read 584 times)

Tim B · « **on:** September 12, 2003, 05:07:05 AM »

I read once about some otter tubes...or boxes really. They were made from 1x10's and fit a #220...just like the coon boxes. But these were longer and were sunk in known otter haunts, and the otters just checked them out out of curriosity.

I was thinking of making a few of these, has anyone else tried them?
Tim B

mattjones298 · « **Reply #1 on:** September 12, 2003, 09:39:11 AM »

tim, i run 1x10 coon boxes in otter country baited with fresh catfish. now this is early season before freeze up. i caught 7 otter in them coon trapping and 3 bobcats, but many times i had otter and cat tracks all around the box and no catch. now it got very cold in late jan. this past season. the feeder creeks froze hard right to the mouth of the bigger water. it came an inch snow and i could see where otterr were running the ice. i set 7 feeder creeks up with 2 coon boxes each and caught 5 otter in 3 nights in them, and surprizingly, 6 coon also. then it warmed up and i had to move them, but i sure learned something.....matt

i will be waiting for these same conditions again, and set alot more out. i was coyote trapping at the time

Coniboy · « **Reply #2 on:** September 12, 2003, 03:50:28 PM »

What are the dimentions of this otter box?I didn't catch one last year just hairs.

mattjones298 · « **Reply #3 on:** September 13, 2003, 03:02:58 AM »

conieboy, look about 10 posts down untill you see the one (hey matt jones) the post tells how i build mine. like i said there coon boxes...matt

Wackyquacker · « **Reply #4 on:** September 13, 2003, 03:34:55 AM »

Don't know jack when it comes to trapping these creature that need water but, could you fellows use short sections of PVC. I often see short "drops" around construction sites and they would last forever. Probably a stupid idea but it is an idea...isn't it? :lol:

mattjones298 · « **Reply #5 on:** September 13, 2003, 07:03:11 AM »

wacky, alot of boys around here that can get them use them, i have no access to any so dont use them. i think steve gappa likes them ok for coon. but he might just use the smaller sizes to pound in the bank for coons, dont know...matt

Tim B · « **Reply #6 on:** September 15, 2003, 07:41:37 AM »

Thats a good idea Wacky. I was just thought trying to simulate a hollow log with weathered wood would be more appealing to them otters.

People say they are attracted to white things like buckets so last year I made some of the bucket sets and baited with fish but they didnt work as well as I had hoped....so maybe my otters just didnt like white.

I hope theyt like hollow logs..LOL
Tim B

jim-NE · « **Reply #7 on:** September 15, 2003, 06:20:14 PM »

comment on the short PVC sections leftover at construction sites...the new Coon Cuffs coon traps fit nicely inside a 4" to 6" diameter pipe section. Stab a section out in the water about a foot from the bank and angle it back toward the bank. I cut a 1" x 4" slot down one side of the opening to accomodate the rivet/chain attachment. The trap slides in nicely then.
I put a smear of lure or bait right inside that PVC pipe then slide the trap down in the opening. Earth anchors work well for attaching it to deeper water. That white pipe really sticks out along the shoreline and seems to hold a lot of eye appeal to coons for me. A good loud fishy lure or bait entices them to stick their paw in that little hole in the trap, and that's it.
When I run out of Coon Cuffs traps, I shove that PVC pipe horizontally into the bank right at the water surface and put a #11 below the opening as you would at a pocket set. I've caught coons, rats, beaver, you name it at this set. I think the PVC pipe has a lot of eye appeal and you can smear any bait or lure inside. Water fluctuation levels are only thing that seem to put it out of commission for me. Haven't tried them on coon land sets yet, but bet they would work well there, too.
Jim-NE