Hey guys my ol man has a snapping turtle in his pond that I would like to make my next taxidermy mount. I could easily shoot him but if I can keep from damaging the head I would prefer it. I made a trot line that I plan to string up across the pond. My question is what bait have you guys had luck with catching snappers with? The last snapper I caught from a rod and reel was with a piece of chicken. He did exactly what snappers love to do and that was getting wrapped around the dock post so I couldn’t get him out. Figure a trot line will keep him in open water and away from obstacles to tangle up in. Ive heard chicken and even salt pork works well. Any tips from you guys that snag these ol boys for a living?

Chunks of fish. Cut a bluegill or the like in half or thirds if its big and hook it on straight hooks. Likely they will swallow it. Jugs with the bait on the bottom will work as well.

I often wait until I see them, cast the bait over them and reel it back until its right on their head and let it sink with them, rarely fails. I do it my buddies poles most often. lol

a live sunny worked best for us........jk

Groundhog chunks make excellent snapping turtle bait. Venison chunks, whole small sunfish, around 4'' and fish heads work well too.

Keith

Beef liver

Blue gills like stated before but maybe a some old chicken meat that's getting thrown out.

Gizzards

Carp or shad are best but any fish should work.

Fresh fish,,, the oilier the better.. chunks of carp are really good… bluegill is a good choice too,, but carp would be my first choice…

Sunfish, fresh dead everyday or live.

This

cow tongue. Stays on the hook.

When it was legal in MN to trap turtles I found frozen sunfish carcasses were the best bait.

back when I keep my fish on a stringer I more than once pulled the stringer up to find heads and backbone and a snapper taking off. Switched to a basket.

I suspect any fish or meat will work and dont their picky.

Thanks for all the advice fellas! Last time I ran a trot line the small fish ate up all the bait. I had decent sized chunks of chicken, venison, and beef neck on there and they ate up everything. Guess I should have wrapped them in pantyhose.