We used to use trot lines with pieces of raw chicken for bait....any tough meat that'll stay on a hook really..... We get softshell turtles primarily but do get a few snappers....get some water lizard by-catch sometimes
I've always just fried it, like fishy tasting chicken....yum
Heard of using it in soups/stews, never tried it, would probably be better.
Here's a good how to on cleaning them....
How to Clean a Freshwater Turtle
1. Put live turtle in a 55 gal. drum for 7 days, to allow it to empty it's system, it helps with the smell. Keep fresh water in the drum. Scoop out the feces with a net.
2. Using channel locks, hold him tight by the mouth with neck stretched out. Cut off his head.
3. Hang him upside down to bleed out for about 30 minutes.
4. Put him on his back, cut claws and feet off.
5. Cut skin around shell top and bottom, cut and pull skin away from shell on the front legs until skin is removed.
6. On the soft shell belly outside edge of shell, cut through soft shell contact points and remove.
7. Remove guts and innards.
8. Remove front legs, may need to twist to break the joint.
9. Cut and peel skin from back legs and neck.
10. Remove back legs and neck, again twisting to break joints.
11. Leave meat on bone, but try to remove as much fat as possible.
12. Wash with cold water, repeat until clean.
13. Freeze submerged in water.
