I use a standerd minnow trap that i bent the holes in a little larger, maybe not the best thing but it works and gives you somthing to screw around with.
so thats what i thought i knew you could use perch in places, and also on the topic of innards of a trout i really dont see the issue at all, if your gutting a trout and you clean it your not going to eat the guts (atleast i hope not) so why not use em, its innards not meat. so i guess its kinda vague in that sense.
What size wire mesh is typically used for these traps? i have seen some guys use galvanized hardware cloth, but often the openings are much too large, plus galvanized russt over time anyways. If I am going to make my own, I am going to do it right with stainless steel the first time - stainless steel wire mesh.
I am thinking something like a 16x16 mesh ( http://www.bwire.com/index.html ) would be the best to use, 16 wires per inch, not much can slip through then. What is your guys opnion on the size and alloy of a home made trap screen?
Welcome Vinc. Let me do a little digging. I had some photos from a guy who made some raps from “hardware cloth” - wire mesh. They were more of a square design that the conical types - like my minnow cage.
I think the catfood tin, or bacon, or chicken bits - all sounds like good options. Wonder if a soak or addition of a bullion cube or bullion soak would help. All them salted worms on the market - why?
Don’t know from experience, but a fella catching them last summer said he uses roadkill rabbits.
I like dog and cat food.
Trap design:
Speciality trap design for carrying in a preparedness backpack:
Fishing is fun and I’ll certainly have fishing gear for preparedness in my backpack, but there can be times of being otherwise occupied, so a trap working while you are unavailable for substance fishing can be productive for having meals.
I’ve been planning to make some ultra lightweight foldable compact traps for backpacking. With my type of design, I can have many without noticing bulk or weight.
I’ll use spring titanium hoops to support handmade custom net made from very thin braid super fishing line for compact and lightweight.
It will have an opening that works for crayfish, minnows, fish and for near a coast, crabs. Perhaps it will have fine wire spring titanium one way canted wires to accommodate all those possibilities without need for adjustment.
Since I haven’t started this project yet, ideas and design suggestions are invited.
Ronald 
Chicken works great1 catch everytime