I use the rope technique to set, but also have the safety. I had a conibear spring on my hand. It hurt but wasn't terrible. Make sure you wire the safety hooks back so they don't engage at the wrong time. I've had equal success with the Bridger #5 and drowning rod as I have with the conibear.

The most important thing to remember is do everything you can to catch them the first time. Any misses and they get really wary.