It's like they know. So I'm trapping a river that you can't walk very far with out seeing a herd of rats moving about freely. But I can't seem to get there paths to go into my 110s. Been bottom edge and lining up on holes. Nothing. Yet I know they are there. Yes just started trapping this year. Thought muskrat where a bit easier. I may try bank minute floats next. But I would like to know how some of you mentally go through your set ups.

A herd of 'rats, eh?

How about describing this river. Do you have runs going into the banks? Do you see where they're crawling up on the bank to get at roots and plants? You got cattails? Pictures?

Pictures in bound

A 110 right at the mouth of a run or den is almost a sure thing.

If you have rats and you aren't connecting,your locations are off.Move things around till you figure it out.Not all holes go anywhere and some are not active.Keep working at it.

Yep, just gotta stick with it. It'll start making more sense and you'll learn to see where you need to set with little effort. But for now, just have to work at it til it starts clicking for you.

If you can make it out here is a float I put together with scrap wood. My
design is a half box to allow flow as the river goes with small leg holds on either end. Eye mounts are on either side. You can control depth as you sink the stakes. Adding a small shelf for bait. The cross peace is for piling reeds on top.

I think you may be disappointed with floats, they generally work best (if at all) in the spring. Focus more on putting your traps where the rats are already going instead of trying to bait them to where your trap is. I think things will start to click for you if you go that route.

What are your banks like? Mud with some elevation.....or beach like?

the bnks varie alot in just a 1/4 mile stretch. most of it has been lined with rock . the rats are going in between them for their dens and holes parts of it are bare to the mud. Only a few places have easy walking as most of it is very steep along the banks. as I promised pictures are coming i'm going out to check my line today. no cat tail. almost the entire bank is over ran with another weed called fragmities. i think thats how you spell it . it's almost like cane. grows just as dense and a royal pain to get through. (thats a severe understatement.)

Phragmites...the plague of muskrat trappers.

Your not lying

Here are the pics. The weeds are here. I saw four rats in just a quick walk. Full disclosure I need new waders so I'm doing my searching awkwardly. Then I have a pic of a set of tracks where they are moving along the bank. A trap is set in that path but no dice. I'm trapping the jordan river here in Utah.

the top pic is of a little rat coming towards the region of my set. i'm shakking my head at it all but will keep going at it.

Used to river trap for rats. Generally there will be spots along the bank where they are digging roots/eating. These spots, along with deb sets are good. Use the 110's for the dens/runs and #1-1 1/2 long springs for the bank feed spots. Set the trap where it appears they are coming out of the water....Trap should be in the water an inch or so under water. You may need to dig a spot for this to work. I always used a good muskrat lure...dip a stick in the bottle and stick it up on the bank above the trap. Trap should be set up to fall into sweet water so the rat will drown. Sometimes it he!ps to place a stick out in fewer water for them to wrap the trap wire around. You should soon be skinning rats!

Even if your trap is 5" off center of the run, you will miss the rats. Don't be afraid to block down your sets. Rats are easily blocked into sets.

It looks like you may be able to make a pocket set in some of those areas. Pockets sets are deadly on rats. And doesn't have to be anything fancy... Can just use your boot many times. And the best bait/lure for a pocket set for a rat is a part of a skun rat. Of course mink and coon like rats too...so stake appropriately (for the coon).

If you want less coon friendly bait, use carrots, or anything light color that stands out...but usually just the pocket is appeal enough.

Listen to Calvin he gives good advice.

Going to try that.

Since we are on the topic...

A muskrat group is called a 'colony, horde, pack, plague or swarm'.