Base/paste

I’m very new to Lure making. I’m wondering what is used to turn a lure from a liquid to a paste type consistency? I’ve heard lanolin for predators and have also heard of using petroleum jelly. What do you use? Thanks for helping a new guy out.

Just keep in mind whenever you add something that doesnt increase the attractiveness of a formulation to the target animal you are diluting the odor profile. And sometimes thickeners actually will lock the odor in. Going from a straight liquid to a paste is pretty hard to do and not change the strength of the odor. I like thickeners that add to the odor profile and work well with the odor that's already established in the formulation. Some I've found helpful are cheese, brains, yolks from hard boiled eggs is one I've just started to play with, salt cured fish,and bone meal. My advice is if you want a thick lure start out with a thick base. Dont get too caught up with the consistency as it's the odor that attracts the animal. This is my take on it and I'm sure others go about differently. Good luck in your endeavors.

I don't use petroleum jelly for any base but I know good cage trappers who use it for their own lure for cats and fisher. Petroleum is used to keep the moving parts to the cages functional for me. JMO if you're worried about diluting your base before you go and waste that hard earned $$ "moolah" on them elite ingredients. "Stabilize" the base in regards to freeze proofing or just be sure that you have the odor you desire or animals have hit on emanating from the base..etc. Only you can build off the odors that you are working off of. One odor at a time.