How to catch minnows in a minnow trap? I’m not having much luck.

[Luckyloser]

I live in Arkansas and there are some decent creeks and places that I think would have minnows. I have even seen them in places I set my trap. I have caught 3-4 at the most when I set my trap. I’ve used bread, crackers, corn flakes, cut up hotdogs, dry cat and dog food. I usually only catch small bream and tadpoles. Is it to cold to catch them this time of year? I figured mid May would be ideal but I cannot catch enough to fish with. I’ve tried setting the trap barley below the surface of the water and let it set on the bottom. I’m not sure what I’m doing wrong. Is there such thing as over baiting the trap? I notice when I set it in the water a lot bait particles drift out and have actually seen minnows feeding on the bait that flowed out of the trap. It’s aggravating to see the minnows eat the bait came out and won’t go in the trap. I’m using a cheap trap from Walmart that is shiny metal. Should I paint it? I see these guys on YouTube set their traps and have several dozen in a few hours. I leave mine out all afternoon and overnight and still only a few minnows and 2-3 small bream. I even put dry cat food in a plastic bag and crushed it and put small holes in the bag. Just to make sure they weren’t just eating through the mesh. I’m about to give up but I’ve seen others catch plenty of minnows in those cheap traps so I know it can be done. If anyone has any tips or ideas I would love to hear them and they will be greatly appreciated. Please help
I hate paying 3$ a dozen because I know the price of a pound of minnows at a fish farm cost 3$-5$ a pound. It’s just an hour drive to the closest fish farm and that’s one way so 2 hours round trip.

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