Muskrat & Mink Bottom Edge Set

[Rustyaxecamp]

I have seen on here, other sites and in magazines mention of "Bottom Edge Trapping". What does that mean?

Seems to be a method of water trapping?

[trapper_max]

i think it means trapping under bank overhangs. not sure, im also curious

[Sparky23]

the bottum edge is basically used on small streams, but can be used in other situations, there are certain places or spots it will work better than other, example... a point in a stream, the backside of the point would be the spot you would place the trap on the bottum of the stream cross staked for support. other good places would be in visable muskrat runs, place the trap on the bottum edge of the run and cross stake it. I have only been using this set for about 2 years but it works great in alot of situations for rats and mink, I also took a few beavers on it last season. Hope this helped, Sparks

[gunrod]

Northcountry and Ottertrapper have both photographed this set pretty well and posted on here some where. You may want to do a search on it.

[David G Duncan]

Rusty,

The "Bottom Edge Set" is a set that all serious muskrat and mink trappers have come to highly appreciate, because of its effectiveness.

The set is made using a 110 conibear set tight against the bank of a stream, right at the bottom. It makes very little difference how deep the water is at the set location. I have caught muskrat and mink using this set in water depths of from a foot to over three feet.

Muskrats do a lot of their serious traveling along the bottom, because they can use their hind feet toe nails to hook into the bottom for better traction. They normally swim on the surface going down stream, but dive to the bottom when swimming up stream.

It really makes a lot of sense, because they are swimming against the current and kicking off the bottom with their hind feet in a big advantage.

But they don't swim on the bottom of the stream in just any old place. They know that swimming along bottom up tight to the bank is where the current is the weakest. And this can be put to a great advantage by an experienced trapper.

You can effectively anchor a 110 conibear using a single small willow branch or straight tag alder branch. Place your 110 with the spring straight up and the trigger on the stream side. Then slide your stake through between the trap spring. (Don't put the stake through the round opening of the spring coil) By going through the opening between the spring arms, you can then also position the stake between the trap jaws at the top corner next to the bank.

This will firmly anchor the conibear perfectly and catch every muskrat or mink traveling up stream along the bank. Be sure to wire the trap chain off to something solid to prevent it from getting carried away by a large muskrat or mink.

Look for a set location where the edge of the stream bank underwater is steepest and makes nearly a 90 deg. angle at the bottom. A grassy over hanging bank is an excellent location. But any suitable location will work, especially if there is a fairly strong current.


http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/500/medium/Bottom_Edge_Set1.jpg
Personally I like the spring up positioning of the conibear for this set, because it is easier to place the trap while reaching under a couple of feet of water. :-)


Here is a nice buck mink that was caught in a "Bottom Edge Set".

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/520/medium/Bottom_Edge_Set_001.jpg

Also, a "Bottom Edge Set " double on muskrats at the same location where the mink was caught.

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/520/medium/Coyote_and_Muskrats_001.jpg

Good luck and by all means try the "Bottom Edge Set" this fall.

[Rustyaxecamp]

Thanks guys. Makes more sense now.

[Kevlar]

Here's a photo to help you understand.


http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/3043/mink3bottomedge.jpg

Kevlar

[Northcountry]

Erik,

You've already got solid answers to your question, but I'd like add a few pics which show my variation of the set, since I dont have any classic muskrat streams on my line...

Instead of the desirable tall, vertical, overhanging bank...I have shallow, flooded grass hummocks. What I do is sight down the stream current and look for a prominent protrusion or "point". It doesnt have to be much. I like to space my trap out an inch or two into the current and maybe an inch up off the bottom.

Heres one before...

http://www.parlin.com/non-game/BE%20set1.JPG

And after...

http://www.parlin.com/non-game/BE%20set2.JPG

Heres another similar set...no traditional bank, just a protruding "island" hummock point...

http://www.parlin.com/non-game/BE%20set3.JPG

One more variation...just a clump of cattails out in the current. Not a high-percentage location but I get lucky once in awhile.....

http://www.parlin.com/non-game/BE%20set4.JPG

I have caught some rats and mink in the classic deepwater/vertical bank locations too, but I dont have any good pics.

I hope these pics help you identify some set locations this fall. ;)

[Rustyaxecamp]

Most productive on the "inside or outside" bank?

[David G Duncan]

I normally set on a straight bank, but it would seem that an inside curve of a stream might be more productive.

[Northcountry]

I look for a relatively "straight" bank and then set on the tip of a protrusion.

[Mister ED]

I tried this, without success, last year. However, I truely believe it was my technique and set placement that was at fault.

However, I think I can understand NC's protrusion and David's steep inside turn (especially a long gradual turn) would both be productive.

Now, let me get the pro's opinion on my situation.:D Creek/river, 10-30 yards wide, knee to waste deep. Some places the bank drops right off ... most it is slightky sloped and MUCKY. Trout fishermen have made 'improvments' ... meaning they have constructed submerged 'wing dams' (made of 4-8" diam logs) angling from shore slightly towards downstream.

So, if I am thinking correctly here .... the very end of these 'wing dams' would probably be a great location?

[David G Duncan]

Ed,

I enjoyed meeting you at the Evart Trappers Convention this weekend.

Thanks for helping me the erection of the tipee!

You should do just fine making a bottom edge set at the end of these wind dams. I know quite a few trappers are using 160 conidbears for this type of set, where one of the 160 springs removed. I purchased some 160's at the convention and will be putting them to good use some bottom edge set locations.

[Seldom]

I tried this, without success, last year. However, I truely believe it was my technique and set placement that was at fault.

However, I think I can understand NC's protrusion and David's steep inside turn (especially a long gradual turn) would both be productive.

Now, let me get the pro's opinion on my situation.:D Creek/river, 10-30 yards wide, knee to waste deep. Some places the bank drops right off ... most it is slightky sloped and MUCKY. Trout fishermen have made 'improvments' ... meaning they have constructed submerged 'wing dams' (made of 4-8" diam logs) angling from shore slightly towards downstream.

So, if I am thinking correctly here .... the very end of these 'wing dams' would probably be a great location? IMO, it depends on how far out into the stream the "wing dams" protrude is whether or not the end would be a good BE location. If they only stick out 2' or less, then probably yes for rats and mink. IMO, there's only one reason for a mink to be in a BE location and that is that it's hunting (looking to catch prey by suprise). With rats, we're talking about safe and relatively easier travel which forces them around protrusions and along vertical structures rather then hunting. Two different animals using the same location but for two completely different reasons.