re: what is the best way to catch snapping turtles

The secret isn't a certain place. It's a certain type of place. Nasty stagnant water, covered in duck weed or lillies. The more leeches the better. My turtles have been covered in leeches. Turtles also like water above 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

The bayou is gonna be too big. Too many other critters to steal your bait, water moves too fast, and water is too cold.

Find places the bayou splits off, like into a drainage ditch and fish the hole where the two meet.