If you really want to catch the poor, pitiful, lovable, and defenseless, little turtle
get yourself a plastic jug with a good screw-on lid. Something like a 2 liter orange juice container.
Get some 40-60 lb., monofilament line and a #4 circle hook. Tie the hook to one end, and the jug to the other end. Make the line long enough to easily drag the hook on the bottom of the pond after you throw it out. Go to Wally World, or similar, and get some real cheap chicken pieces.
Right around sundown, thread a chicken piece onto the circle hook. Throw it out.
Collect the turtle, or unfortunate catfish, either of which will be in a real bad mood by morning. If it's a snapper, dispatch it using your favorite method. Just don't put your hands or fingers near its mouth. And, remember, even after dead for quite some time, a snapper's reflexes can still be very active and hurtful.
If you are interested, I've got some good recipes.
Ken
