Hole set distance?

Well most books would tell you that 4 inches is too close. Four inches does seem a bit close to me, even for cats. Your post did not indicate if the cat stepped over the trap OR stood behind it and got the bait.

I really think you would be well advised to back the trap off so the pan was more like 8 inches from the lure / bait, put side guides and have a stick just outside of the rear jaw (between the trap and the lure). This pattern gives the cat a clear path to the pan, will force it to step in the clear spot just before the rear guide and the distance will cause it to take the extra step to investigate the bait.

I use a lot of the step-down sets you described on canines and bobcats. I keep the trap pan back about 10" which works out perfect 95% of the time on coyote and cats. Fox many times miss the pan on their way in so catch many of them by the rear foot. The distance of the pan from the hole also depends on tjhe angle of the hole. I am baseing my distance on a 45 degree angle hole generally dug into a backing such as a small hump. Ace

Thanks for the info.....I'll give it another try tomorrow if the snow's not too deep