While revising my muskrat trapping files, I came across a graphic for this winter set option and was curious if anyone uses either of these under ice "board" sets, or possibly any variations of it using footholds and/or bodygrips?

Jonathan

Not yet, but thanks for the pic!

Judging the thickness of the ice with regard to the thickness of the boards, I would guess the trapper might be found under the ice. Looks like a set that might work, but it would be long day of popping holes, unless one used a power auger.

Might work better in clear water.

ya looks like it would work

I will try this set this winter. I'll have to use a conibear. NO leg holds allowed in Jersey. Jonathan, what do you suggest I use for the bait.

I trap quite a few under ice rats every year. Last year I tried the viertical pole set to the right with very little success.

Visitation was spotty with alot of misses. Used this when pushups were covered with 2 feet of snow and set around huts. I will be giving these types of sets another try.

Teal

Teal what other under water sets do you use. Do you have any pics?

No pics but I use a lot of #110's and #160's in runs and hut entrances. Have used baited bodygrips with marginal success.

I trap a lot of runs through the ice with longsprings and conibears i made a pictorial this past winter of it ill see if i can find it.

That would be great kid.

Jonathan,

If you happen to have a March or April (or one of those months) 1986 (or was it 1988) Fur-Fish-Game laying around . . . . . . you'll see an article I wrote, maybe on page 12?, that described this very set using dead poles instead of a board.

Very effective after iceup. Percentage wise isn't real high, but when you're running quite a few of these it adds up after awhile.

These sets and conibears is how I grew up trapping 'rats in the 60s on the Mississippi backwaters.

I too have used 110's on poles baited with apple slices on the trigger wires caught a ouple rats but they didn't seem all that productive i think location probably has a lot to do with it

Johnathan,
I have used the very same set last year and baited the set with a carrot. Seemed to work fine except for the fact that the hole froze shut over night. The pic on the left is basically what I used but the board was at a 45 degree angle (on the flat side) so the rat could swim it's way up to the bait which was attached about three inches above the trap. I also used the 110 which was secured with a wood cleat to the board. I baited the trigger with a new carrot and also had success. The only drawback I found was that the board had to be stuck into the mud quite a ways so it wouldn't float! The rat would see the light from the opening knowing it was a way out and thus found the trap.

Thanks for the pics kid.

Jonathan,

My favorite under ice set is one that I describe in my book that can be used either under ice of above or above the water line, in non-freezing conditions. When used under the ice the stake is pushed down in the mud so that the entire spring is under the ice, but part of the chain and ring is above. When using it when not frozen push stake in until the about half of the trap is submerged with the bait right at the water line. For bait I have used potatos, apple, sweet potatos, a piece of cooked corn on the cob and turnip. You can just push the bait on the wire or fasten it to the wire with a wire or twist tie. .... Garry-

it works pretty well in not so clear water along runways also.

http://www.michiganbear.com/forum/showthread.php?t=203662
Found this in my search last season and will be trying it this year.

I caught over 200 rats last year with the leaning board set like the one pictured on the left. It works! Chopping the holes everyday sucks!

Gander did you use foot holds or conibears?