I find it difficult to soul trap creatures since I'm not using a weapon which has that effect. I'm just curious how other mages capture souls from mobs for enchanting.

Do you put 'Soul Trap' on your favorites bar and just cast it at the beginning of fights? Or, only certain kind of mobs? Appreciate any advice -- wish I didn't have to waste time casting it.

I suppose you have a few options, depending.

You can either bite the bullet and just cast it.

You can enchant a weapon you don't use with it, then swap it out once you land a hit.

You can spec into conjuration and invest in bound weaponry's ability to trap souls (with perks).

Personally?

I talented into conjured weapons, to soul steal. I keep my "special" soul gem handy, and when I see someone get low on health, I swipe at them a few times, usually finishing them off and taking the soul.

If it's a weak monster, fire bolt to stagger them, soul trap, finish them. If they're stronger I use a summon to distract them so I can easily soul trap them, and then blast them to death.

Okay good input everyone, thanks. I will probably get the conjured weapon perk. I was also reading that your companions can soul trap for you, if you give them gems and an enchanted weapon with the soul trap ability. Anyone experimented with that tactic?

Bound Sword with the Soul Trap perk has been the easiest method so far.

That was probably my post you were reading I've got probably a dozen filled gems thus far from having my companion do it for me.

I find that method extremely effective so that I can focus on casting destruction and restoration spells, instead of worrying about whether or not I'll finish killing something in time. Plus, I didn't want to use the two-handed axe.

In markhath a certain Quest Gives a Weapon with the soultrap effect. I've used it a bit on my mage for trapping as long as they're staggered and after the hit i Whirlwind Sprint away