I have 3 live traps that I trap with. I usually use sardines, but catch a lot of opossums. I know I need to get some leg hold traps, and plan to, but is there a better bait for coons? Does anyone use eggs?

I just use table scrapes in live trap.

For live traps I use peanut butter spread on a piece of bread. Put it on the ground and set the trap on top of it, with the bread under the trigger. Put something heavy on top of the trap

My GoTo is Surfin & Turfin cat food

tuna fish, marshmallows

Marshmallows..

x2 on the dry cat food. I'll squirt a little fish oil on it too

Sweets will get the coons and cut down on possums. Honey buns are hard to beat.

Honey buns now. something ants wont eat in the summer.

Yep. Sardines 50/50 chance it’s going to be a possum

I’ve heard marshmallows or small pieces of sponge dipped in bacon grease.

I've caught them on peppermints still in the wrapper in DP traps.

Set out 3 traps Saturday night. I put a combo of sardines and marshmallows in all 3. Caught 2 coons that night, so we will see.

Marshmallows and gummie bears have always worked good for me. Sprinkle a few outside the trap and then lead them to it.

Best thing I've found too. And the fireants don't seem to bother it.

I was going to say any brand of wet cat food.

Mini-marshmallows with anise extract poured on it. I caught four last weekend. Ants will run to it so make sure to refresh bait every night.

No, dry cat food. Surf n turf is dry food.

Forgot to add, my dad tears them up on dry cat food as well but he also puts a couple gummy lifesavers on the trigger of the DP trap to give them something textured to grab hold of and try to pull out.

That’s good thinkin. Gonna try it

Walker hound, red tick... etc

Grew up using grape jelly and grape bubble gum

I didn't read this whole thread but wanted to add I tried those Coon Grabber baits and they appear to be working well, no mess and I re-used some, etc.

Take a piece of good foam....like comes out of a couch cushion or something...and cut it into a small cube. Put a small slit in the middle and push it onto the trigger of your DP traps. Then just pour a little bacon grease on it or some fish oil. This is an easy way to catch them that doesn't attract a bunch of ants I also put a little corn in the bottom of the trap just in case they need to reach in more than once to get caught.

I just started using the coon grabbers in my DP traps. Had 6 traps out for 2 nights now and have caught 2 coons on them. Probably about average catch rate, but the nice thing is if it's not set off, I just keep on going by it, no need to rebait. And the ones that did catch, I just reset it and done. One of the coons had both front legs trapped in it trying to get to that Coon Grabber bait. Did have a trap somehow get triggered but didn't get the coon and he obviously sat there and tried like hell to get that Coon Grabber out of there, came close and ripped it up a bit, but I just poked it on back down with the set tool and set it back.

Before they get educated, put a couple dozen or more traps spread out in a quarter acre area around a deer feeder that only has a few days of food left in it. Bait traps full every couple days but don't set the trigger. A week later, once the deer feeder has been out for several days, set the traps and fill half way. You will catch way more coons like this than putting a few here and a few there and letting them get smart. If ants are giving you problems, spray a strong solution of permethrin around the traps. Kind of like pigs, need to take care of as many as possible at one time then move to another spot.

1/3 bacon greas, 1/3 fish menhaydeen oil 1/3 honey or fake maple syurp

Cheap cat food works good

^^^^^^