The ingredients and techniques used in making trapping baits and lures, for those inclined, can be a pretty fascinating hobby. In many ways, it can also be frustrating. It will never be an exact, ounce-by-ounce science, because the ingredients used vary in strength and quality from region to region, from year to year, from month to month, and from time spent in storage.
Just as an example, the skunk essence from a skunk in North Dakota will be different from the skunk essence from a skunk in Oklahoma, and both will be different from one taken in Nebraska. That's just the way things are.
The months of May, June, July, and August are considered the bait-making months. It is also the blowfly and maggot months, so you will constantly have to guard against these pests getting into your processing jars. If maggots make their way into your fish oil, they will turn a great bait into worthless sewage in pretty short order.
To make this even more complicated, you will also have to provide for some means of gas escape. As baits and lures age, gases are released. If they are not vented, the contents will explode as soon as you loosen the lid. How big a problem is this? Well, I once had a gallon jar of liquified, rotted mice explode in my face. And though it's been almost half a century since that happened,
I still remember it like it was yesterday. So please, when I tell you to provide for gas escape, I'm really not kidding.
I'll give you some of the recipes and techniques that I've used over the years, but there are no rules other than the ones I've outlined above.
Don't be afraid to experiment. The conditions on my trapline will be different from the conditions on yours, and experimentation is what makes this hobby fascinating and fun.
I've sort of been debating with myself how to start this topic. The most logical would be to go through all the essential oils and animal parts and secretions used in making baits and lures. But that can be pretty boring, and this project will both get you started, and some of the methods used to control blowflies and maggots, and provide for gas escape. So, without further ado, here is how to make...
SUN-RENDERED FISH OILIf you're making fish oil for a top-notch liquid raccoon bait, almost any type of fish is suitable. However, if it's to be used as a lure base, you really want it to be light-textured and not lumpy or rank. All species of trout, including sea trout (weakfish) are especially valued for this purpose, but there aren't too many of them here in Oklahoma. I've usually used catfish or carp for my purposes, and had good luck with it.
Several years ago, when my grandkids were growing up, I would take them fishing for perch or bluegill. They were easy to catch, and the kids loved it. Just on a whim, I made some fish oil with these, and I was more than happy with the results.
You will need a wide-mouth gallon jar with a lid. Then, figure out how you're going to keep maggots out and provide for gas to escape. The easiest way, which unfortunately doesn't work too well with the famous winds here in Oklahoma, is to put a pane of glass over the jar and weight it down with a rock or brick. You can also try screwing the lid down over a couple layers of cheese cloth or flannel. Or, you can punch several holes in the lid, cover it with three or four layers of flannel, and secure it with wire. Or, you can put the lid on loosely, wrap several layers of flannel around it, and again secure it with wire.
I'd really like to find out who came up with the idea of using wine cocks. (
Go here, and scroll down to the bottom of the page. ) You'll have to check it periodically to make sure the water hasn't evaporated away, but this simple product has revolutionized my bait-making.
Once you've figured out how you're going to go about it, it's time to go about it. Skin and filet the fish, and cut it up into about 1-inch chunks. Place the fish chunks into the jar until it's about 2/3 full. Prevent maggots and allow for gas to escape, then place the jar someplace where the morning and afternoon sun will warm the contents. The roof of a shed works, or you can place it on a sidehill where it will get plenty of sun.
Slowly at first, the cubes of fish will begin "working," or bubbling. In about a week or so, the oils will begin to rise to the top.
There is no standard time for this process to complete, since it depends so much on the climate. It may take a couple months, or it may take much longer. You will just have to use your own judgment. When you feel the oils are free of flesh, you can end the process.
The oil that has risen to the top should be spooned into a different container. After a few days, you will notice that a lighter oil has reformed and risen. Spoon this out, and add it to the same container. Continue to do this until you feel that all of the light oil has risen. This is the "best" fish oil, the top oil, suitable for use as a lure base.
But don't throw the rest of it away. The partially decomposed cubes can now be strained out, to free them of the "fish juice" that has settle on the bottom. This "fish juice," by itself, is a pretty fair raccoon liquid bait, but it's better when it's mixed with glycerine oil and various musks and and other ingredients. (This "fish juice" was one of the "secret ingredients" advertised in old-time trapping catalogs.)
Store each container in a cool, dark place, free of insects or contaminants. You can also bury them below ground level in a shaded spot, but be sure to dig them up before the ground freezes. Don't tighten the lids all the way, since some gases may still form.
This fish oil is just as good or better than any that you can buy (for about $25 a gallon).
Any questions? Any second thought s about making baits and lures? Remember, I love comments.
Onward and upward,
airforce
