where is the best place to set a coon trap, i tried to set right on a sand bar but they just turned the traps over and didn,t get traped

Try to set them firm and level. Have a hole set back with bait. Have it almost v shaped so they have to come into the narrwing set to get close to the hole. Also depending on the way your trap is faced they might flip it if they step on the spring. I prefer 1.5 coil with the dog facing out. But that is just me.