fruit based baits?

[four coil]

I want to make some fruit based bait/lure. What do you use to preserve it? Also in what amount?
Shawn

[Bogmaster]

 Shawn, I have never tried to preserve fruit,or any type of vegetable matter.Sodium benzoate is for preserving meat, so we will have to see what our bretheren come up with. I too am curious--I have some vegetable matter I am interested in preserving.
 You out there Asa?
 Tom

[Macthediver]

I normally don't use bait for coon but I having been thinking I should this fall. If the coon numbers are down in my area trails may be scarce.
My question is how much Sodium Benzonate to a gallon of fish?
I see they use it on fish but haven't never really heard or paid attention to amounts.
 
As for fruit I have no idea other than the stuff they call fruit fresh for home use.

Mac

[Bogmaster]

 Mark, I have heard several things with benzoate and fish, some say it doesn't work,others say to double the amount.
 I freeze mine, and thaw as I need it. Salting does work on fish.
 I use a lot of Blackies fatal attraction, when baiting coon. Now if I just had a good healthy population to work on.
 Tom

[Macthediver]

I think I may have to throw some of the carp we arrow at the lake or the wife catches in the freezer for coon bait. We ususally just throw them up on my beach and the eagles and buzzards eat them. I don't think my neighbor's care much for them laying on the beach anyway. My son went out last night to catch a few carp for turtle bait. Most nights that is not hard, last night when he wanted some he got one sucker and it was small.
We just got back from setting the turtle traps and only put out two. The boys are going to run some more out tomorrow as it was more of a learning trip for them anyweay. Myself and my buddy showed the boys around with my buddy being the turtle trapper. I just rode along to look pretty in the boat. I suppose if them boys actually catch a legal turtle I'll have to show them how to clean it thought. My buddy hasn't set a turtle trap in at least 10 years and his son and mine wanted a lesson.
Should be interesting to see them handle one.

Mac

[four coil]

Tom, is that veggy matter you talk about putting up for you or a critter. Hope we get some help with this topic soon, or I might have to post this topic where all the kids hang out. LOL
Shawn

[coyotero]

 4coil     I have made baits with a honey and or molasses base with fruit extracts in them,loganberry essence,etc.I used sodium benzoate.The problem I have  encounter is mold,more so than rotting.Anything I tried to stop or kill the mold changed the smell or taste to the point it wasn't that attractive.I had to clean out a bunch of coons one time and I made a bait for cage traps with Molasses and barley( a few other secret ingredients also) it flat cleaned up coon in a hurry.I've also made a lure/bait for coyotes/fox that has honey as a base.In warm falls it works marvelous. 

[four coil]

Thanks coyotero, I saw something at a recent rondy that I want to try this fall. The fellow that did the demo had some fruit bait that he made that peeked my intrest. I think he also said that he used sodium benzoate. How much do you use? As for the mold, maybe someone else has some ideas.
Shawn

[Bogmaster]

 Shawn, what I am planning,is for animals. Benzoate is not for fruits or vegetables--it is for meat.
 Looks like I will have to make a couple of phone calls to get the right answer.
 Tom

[four coil]

Tom, hope you find the answer. I was thinking I might have to get my pressure canner out early.
Shawn