I have had it described by numerous peole, but do not understand it. Any one who can explain it in great detail, I would appreciate it.
Mink

Now I'm just a beginner Bottom Edge setter myself. I caught a muskrat here, so I assume I was on "location".

It's been said that a good BE location is where a point comes out in the water. I think this location suits that definition.

I used this old broom pole to support my 110, there is better stabilizer systems out there, but like I said, it was just trial and error for me.

So how deep down do you set it?
Mink

Right on the bottom, use guide sticks.

On the bottom, and on the edge of the bank, tight.

Bottom...Edge....

Awesome location Nick C. and right on the mark. Set up the one just behind it, too.

The trap is put right on the bottom where it meets the bank. In the place shown there will be a hard edge in both places as the current bumps here. Hunting mink will be underwater and along the edge. I prefer 160's or even 220's to cover more area. I just use one spring and leave the other one hooked(usually one next to bank).

There is a great book out there that goes into detail and is not that expensive. A "minkmaster" should have a copy.

I should, shouldnt I . How deep of water do you want to do it in? If anyone has this book, pm me. I hate ordering from companys because shipping will kill you.
Mink

that point would be a good place , but so would the not so obvious point across the creek from it as well as the incurved bank before the one you set and the incurved bank after the point i mentioned on the other side. undercut banks work as well as shear walled banks . all the set is , is an under water blind set . set the bodygripper ( or colony trap ) on the bottom and tight to the bank or tight up in the under cut . waters edge boulders and rocks can be set the same way , as well as bridge walls and abruptments , which work well with colony traps , on the bottom , tight against the wall. #110's , single spring #160's, single spring 220's , work best as alot of times theres not room for the 2nd spring . colony traps , i like bigger than usual sized ones , 6x6 will work but 7x7, 8x8 even 10 x 10 are better.

some will only catch rats , some only mink and some both . you'll never know unless you set them . these sets are deadly for mink under ice . one thing to look for is underwater rat dens , put bottom edge sets both downstream and up stream of them for under ice mink .
the watersedge boulders and rocks seem to pay off big time for under ice bottom edge mink sets for me .

buy the bottom edge set book , bob noonnan drew some very good drawings in it that will help you figure it out . its just an underwater blind set. the mink and rats hug the underwater structure( the bank edge) and swim right into your waiting trap.

mark

Wow, thanks Mark.
Mink

A little blocking helps a lot too. I like to cut a top of a bush with lots of branches and stick it in the bottom to force them to hug the bank. Points with steep banks work good.

how deep will the set work ? as deep as you can set a trap or colony cage. i've made catches in bottomedge set bodygrippers over 4 ft. deep, 6 feet deep with colony traps .

mark

The picture above is an ideal spot for a bottom edge set. Note the ice shelf ends before the set. A mink will follow the ice shelf and enter the water there because of the steep bank. All it needs, in my opinion, is some guide sticks out from the broom handle to keep out any possibilities of him going around. I like to use a small dive stick as well. Makes any on-the-water swimmers dive into the trap. The ideal water depth I have found is about a foot deep or a little less.

Thanks everyone, I think I get it. I will deffinatley be looking into that book.
Mink

only stick needed is the one to keep the trap against the "edge". The mink will hold tight to the bottom edge. 110 conis work fine and the smaller 3 1/2 x 4 1/2 conis. work better. This set works great for a very low maintenance trapline. Points above and below culvert pools are the best and when the weather turns nasty sharpen the skinning knife.

Man, I need to get a new pair of gauntlets if Im gonna be reaching into the water. One more question-How do you check it if its 3-4 feet down and under ice?
Mink

I live and die on the mink line using the bottom edge set in December when the snow and ice come. I set a minimum of 4 to 6 sets per stop. If the bottom is too sandy or gravelly I use a tbar stake and sorta "grind" the stake in with wire attached and all. If a bridge abutment with a cement bottom I lean the brick against the back of the spring, tie the wire off to the brick. Don't make this set any harder than it is.....just look for protrusions and abutments that stick out. I don't use guide sticks. Its the natural location and configuration that makes the mink go around it. This year I used wooden lathe in most locations and smear with liquid mud if camouglage is needed for johnny sneakum. IMO if you are spending more than a minute making this set you're doing something wrong. The picture shown is a good one. Sometimes good sets aren't visible and you actually find them with your boot underwater. How deep can you go? How long are your shoulder gauntlets?

I like guide sticks, I think it only helps. It certainly doesn't hurt. It only makes sense to give the animal fewer options. While I realize the set is designed to take mink that are probing the bottom, and is a great set, there is a lot of room around the trap. It doesn't take much time to add a few sticks and makes the set that much better IMO.

so to you guys who use the dive sticks. don't you worry about him goin just under the stick and not all the way to the bottom? just wantin to try this set.

I first went with Kenney before this set became popular, you would not believe the mink and muskrats he was catching,Todd you are right if your spending more than a minute at a set your taking to long,just have faith in the set and leave it there the mink will find it!Also some points that look good will not produce while points that look like nothing produce,I use 2 to 3 traps per stop.