Does anyone have a process to their lure choice at a particular set? With gland lures, curiosity lures, rub lures, and food lures, how do you decide which one to use at which set for predators? When do you like to use gland lure? When do you use food lure? Etc. Are you trying to paint a picture/scenario or do you just grab whichever one you happen to grab first? I’m just curious what goes into your lure choice at any given set and what kinds of lure you prefer at different kinds of sets.
I used to overthink it, just in the same way you are. I have since simplified to the following, and it has proved to be successful for me. Eliminates wasting time at a set trying to determine what to do, which was a huge problem for me.
I carry 2 baits, both with very little to no taint. 1 deer meat based (with hearts and liver), 1 bobcat and beaver based. I carry red fox and coyote urine. I keep a red fox gland lure, some type of skunky lure, and a castor based lure, or straight castor.
When I set an area, I usually set 2 traps at each good location, 1 dirthole, 1 flat set. I run mostly double dirtholes, with one type of bait in each hole, and a skunky lure up top as a call lure. I use coyote urine sometimes, but not all the time, at the dirtholes. I'll make a flat set close by, usually with a dropping, and some type of natural mark like a rock, stick, or grass clump, and create a walk through. Dropping gets red fox gland lure, and red fox urine, natural mark gets castor based lure. That's it, I run my whole line like this from the start.
If things start going stale, I will break out different lures to try, or maybe change to a tainted meat base. Biggest thing is location, which has been mentioned. It's so important, I will repeat it again. Set on sign, within inches, and keep it simple. Get in and get out, and pound in as many sets as you can on good sign. I'll take 10 sets on sign over 3 farms verses 50 sets all over 1 farm on places that "look like they should be good". And to clarify, I am targeting coyotes.
I've taken 9 coyotes in the last 8 days running 12 traps within a half mile of my house using these methods. There is no trick, KISS is the best way.