Just kind of interested in what other people do on their lines.

I do. I believe a spring will help keep a toe caught animal in your trap. Its also a little easier on the animal if it fights the trap real hard.

Yes. Also base plating helps because it makes the resistance parallel with the anchor point. That reduces unwanted torque. Both of those increase your chance of holding an animal as well as being more humane.

I wouldn't set a land trap without both.

I'm not convinced that they are that much of an improvement for water trapping because most drowning sets are already humane.

Careful with that humane word.Are you saying that land traps with out shock springs are inhumane?

I have used them in the past but I don't have many traps with them on anymore.I really don't see where they made a difference.If you want to use them because it makes you feel better go ahead but I have skinned a lot of coyotes and never seen any damage that could have been attributed to not using a shock spring.Use a fairly long chain,18-24",with plenty of swivels,at least 3,and you will not have problems with shoulder damage.And if a toe catch causes a pull out without a spring,chances are good that it would pull out with one,it just might take a couple more lunges for them to accomplish it.My personal belief is they fight harder when they feel some give,like with a spring,than when they hit solid resistance.That is again,my personal opinion.
I won't say anything about the humane comment,other than,what is the end result of coyote trapping,a dead coyote if you do things right.Dead is dead...

Last year I sold some coyotes live market. This was one of the best learning experiences I think I could have had. This year for live market I will be using lamination on all my traps and I think I might try some shock springs on 2 coiled #3 Montana's stock chain length and disposable anchors. IF I base plate it will be a side hookup. This probably goes against everything I believed 2 years ago but from what I learned last year it is what I like now. Dose that mean that is the only set up or that I am right? Of course not! It just seems to work for me. I also want to try some double longs this year for coyotes the holding by leverage vs. spring power has started to gt my interest. I am hopping to have more insight on this six months from now.

JM,you will not be disappointed if you give longs a shot,lams and base plates though,especially for live market.I have toyed with the idea of side hook ups on my coils too,I keep going back and forth on it though...

Well I wont be doing any for live market, but I am still on the fence about whether or not to get them. Do you use swivels much?

You need to use swivels on your trap chain,they are more important than a shock spring.One at the trap,one mid chain one at the end.I usually add a couple links of chain to the end swivel then use a large quick link or lap link to hook to the stake...

I don't use the springs on my traps, with only 8"-9" chain they just can't get that much force on it.

I use a spring-type of device to absorb the lunging-effect,as I have about 18" from trap to stake
I have 3-swivels in that distance, thats most important so they cant wring-out of trap

My springs and hardware are junk,as I've been told,so I wont bother posting them