Anyone tried gizzard shad as coon bait? I have 5 gallons I caught and was wanting to turn it into a paste bait. I have already preserved it and was wondering what other ingredients I could add to make it better. It has already broken down just from adding the SB and stirring it in. Anyone want to give up some good bait recipes so I can kick it into high gear?

I grind them whole and freeze. just thaw as I need them. I have added lots of stuff but never saw where it improved just fresh, ground, and froze.

I use cut skipjack in my dp and bucket sets . It works good in bucket sets with 160's. I have caught several Bobcats in that set with that bait. I just add salt and little castor. I like skipjack and shad over regular fish. It has a louder smell too me. I cut the skipjack in cubes small enough to go back of dp trigger. Or I will stick the cube onto the trigger itself. If they move it much trap goes off.

I just cut them into 1" chunks and layer in salt OR freeze chunks SEPERATELY by laying on a cookie sheet covered with wax paper then into Ziploc bags.

I tried freezing the shad whole, but as soon as I thawed them out they would fall apart. Did the same thing you did Danny. Took our bows out to shoot some carp, but also took our cast nets as well. Had just as much fun throwing the nets as we usually do shooting carp.

I like them ground as I believe a coon will stay there a bit longer, and move its feet around a bit more, digging it all out of a hole or pipe or whatever you put it in. its not a bad cat bait either. coyotes will respond to it also.

Wonder if a touch of tail oil would improve its drawing ability?

if you try it let me know. I was thinking maybe a little spoonbill oil

I've tested spoonbill against BTO on coyotes. Spoonbill was superior in my tests.

seth I must agree! The reactions were different. after seeing and hearing the responses I plan to tinker with it a bit more. And definitely make more

If you have access to paddlefish leftover I'd b making all u can Tony. I think were I was getting the oil do to unfortunate health issues has dried up. Cletus shared with me at the convention if you mix it with urine your container will explode so be warned.