What are they and how/when do you use them.
I am just south of San Antonio, TX, If that matters or helps.

Something a coyote will want to eat. Smear a little on a t bone. Try Wayne derricks 1080 or 001

I get that they want to eat it, but what's it made from if not meat?
Isn't regular meat bait a food-based lure?

Who said a food based lure isn't meat based

Martin, a lot of them are made from meat, brains, grease, etc. They may be aged to a liquid or paste. Most commercial baits could be considered a food based lure, although the consistency of most is not favorable to a smear or liquid application

I don't know, Boss.

So, it could be made from any number of things, then?
Fruit, meat, other stuff...

Sorry wasn't trying to be a wise guy

Yep. Lots of things it could be made from. Ive got one I have started making that has peanut butter in it. Dont know if its worth a dang, but know our coyotes eat a lot of peanuts in the fall/winter

Most dealers will have a breakdown of lure categories on their website or catalog like gland, curiosity, call, food. Look over the descriptions. Here are a couple of our food lures as listed on the website.

High Honors:
A base of ground mice makes this lure a universal attractor for any predator. Carefully blended ingredients added to the base enhance the food odors in this lure. Deadly at dirthole, mousehole or hay bale sets where mouse smell is natural.

Red Tornado
A mild meat-based lure with a blend of musks and castor that provides a mellow call ideal for early and mid-season canines, coon and southern cats. An original creamy paste formula and our personal #1 early season producer.

Getting information on the lures instead of chasing somebody's random favorite of the month will serve you better in the long run. Also calling the lure maker can answer more in depth questions about a bait or lures make up.

I like = mouse oil

Thanks