If putting together a lure or bait, how long do you let the ingredients mingle and blend together befor you think it is ready to use, or jar up?

Right away for some stuff, to months for others.

Depends on what’s in it.

I’ve been playing with a new summer getter dope that is ready the minute you mix it.

I’ve got others that definitely need some time to mellow out where you can actually detect more of the ingredients.

I generally believe most concoctions benefit from some time.

When I'm testing and developing formulations alot of the stuff only gets a week to age together before it's put in front of animals
Most of my development is do one ingredient at a time and if i was letting it age together a month or more it would take forever to get through the testing phase

This is what Ive been discovering also.

I’m just a piddler. Many of the things I piddle with change over time of six months to a year. I have some 15 year old cat gland that smells nothing like this years batch. They smell nothing alike but I’d have confidence in both. I tend to think baits are ok sooner than gland lures. Beaver lures will change over time too. My favorite takes at least six months for it to “ get right” to my nose anyway.

Before jarring something up. I prefer it to go through one summer heat cycle. Just to make sure it has stabilized?

Also when using a dry form of ingredients like castor, loveage root powder, etc.. I believe a longer ageing time is needed to get the full benefit of the ingredients!! Time & Temperature!!!

Boone this getter dope you working on. Is it more of a lure or bait?

If I'm formulating something that needs to age to reach the desired odor profile, I leave it in the bucket and stir a couple times a week to ensure that everything is blending well and there are no "hot spots" for any individual ingredient. If I were uncertain about a specific product I would pull a pint when done, then let it sit several months and pull another.... and again several months later... label them to ensure you don't mix them up and then you can compare the results from field use.

I guess I’d call it more of a lure than a bait.