Like Tom, my preferred beaver set is a castor mound- but I prefer footholds.
I typically do this with footholds- cut out a semi circle on a good bank, at the waters edge- 18 or more inches deep, maybe the same or a little smaller wide. Dish out the back of the set, so the trap is under 4-5 inches of water with a lip at the front (towards the water). Much better for the beaver to step over, than using slanted sticks. This set than can either be lured as a castor, with castor put on a stick and stuck in the back of the pocket- or I often make it a bait set, with fresh cut sticks poked into the sides and back.
Mink however, my forte is blind set,s and far prefer them over baited and lured sets. My thoughts on baited sets, are that if on location, the bait is "extra"- the location is the key.
Think of mink blind sets 2 ways- travel, or feeding (resting). Land or big water travel routes can be difficult to pinpoint- so look for narrowing points- More reliable- are hunting and feeding spots- these can often be determined a little easier.
Want a very good mink set you haven't heard about elsewhere? Look for small indentations in the bank, after fast water or before big, deep holes. It won't be much- just a fist sized cup indentation- but that indentation is made by mink (and rats). Any branch or log laying over the bank or vertical against the bank, are good places to look. If you can't find any- make them. A mink hunting underwater or even water needs a place to eat. He will do that where there is some cover- those little hidden depressions- are where that is occurring.
If you have fast water going into a deeper hole- look for the calm spot,. make a small indentation, place your trap. Always put an outside guide stick vertical- I am convinced just that stick, and the depression- makes it "seem" like a tunnel (hard to conceptialise, but do it and you get the point) to a mink. If you can find something to lay over the spot- it does help- but not needed.
Here is another- in shallow rocky water- in creeks say under 25 feet wide- make 2 rows of rocks right down the center of the creek in 3=5 inches of water. Use rocks about softball size, so the rocks are half out of the water- make then just a trap width wide, about 3-4 feet long. Place trap at downstream side, just inside entrance. Excellent blind set- takes coon also.....trappnman
