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General Tips for Setting the Comstock Cage Traps
Though the traps will perform in any position, when placed right side up, upside down, sideways or vertically on land, in water or under water, is easiest to set the trap on a level surface. Placed on the level the components line up and stay in line for quick setting. Once the trap is set, it is stable enough to be screwed onto a wall or hung up in any manner or angle without fear of firing.
These cage traps have a unique characteristic in a variable trigger. The amount of pressure required to rotate the trigger wires and swing bar unit to fire the trap is determined by the positioning of the door hook on the trip rod catch at the end of the trip rod. For the lightest pressure, which is generally preferred, the door hook is placed tight against the trip rod. By moving the hook only a fraction away form the trip rod, 1/16 or 1/8 of an inch outward from center, you will notice that the trigger will “stiffen,” more difficult to move and harder to fire.
For even lighter setting, a small amount of vaseline on the contact points will allow the trigger to be rotated with very little pressure.
Like the smaller Comstock 9×11 and 12×12 Cage Traps, these traps also have the option to add or subtract pressure from the trigger. In this case the opposite is true for lighter and heavier settings. Since this trap in engineered with a trigger that has a “dog” bar supported at each end, from which the door hook will hang, for the lightest pressure to fire the trap, the door hook should be placed as far from center as possible. Where there is current in a stream and more pressure is required for stability, the hook can be moved up against the trip rod to add pressure to the trigger. Again, usually the lightest setting is preferred. Understand too that water adds lubricity to the trigger. If you move the trigger after the trap is under water you will notice it moves even easier. You can put a small amount of lubricant on the contact point of the swing bar post and U tab on the trip rod, just be careful no to make the triggering too light.
Like the smaller Comstock 9×11 and 12×12 Cage Traps, these traps also have the option to add or subtract pressure from the trigger. In this case the opposite is true for lighter and heavier settings. Since this trap in engineered with a trigger that has a “dog” bar supported at each end, from which the door hook will hang, for the lightest pressure to fire the trap, the door hook should be placed as far from center as possible. Where there is current in a stream and more pressure is required for stability, the hook can be moved up against the trip rod to add pressure to the trigger. Again, usually the lightest setting is preferred. Understand too that water adds lubricity to the trigger. If you move the trigger after the trap is under water you will notice it moves even easier. You can put a small amount of lubricant on the contact point of the swing bar post and U tab on the trip rod, just be careful no to make the triggering too light.
These traps will set in seconds. With the trip rod toward you, make certain it is lying up against the side of the trap. With the trap level and holding it with both hands, lift both doors simultaneously with your fingers. Next, slide the trip rod so that the center tab portion is one either side of center away from the wire trigger hanging from the top. Rotate the trip rod to the top of the cage and move it to center. Let the center tab drop onto the trigger and release the doors. The trap is set.