i like to use canned catfood to lure them in
open it just enough so they can smell it, but nobody can eat it. i usually make 3 cuts around the lid rougly 1/4 of the can rim length each, and then fold them up like 1/4". this will usually keep them busy for a few mins trying to get into the can too before they get bored and wander off.
if you watch for clearance sales, cat food can be had for usually around 25 cents a can or less and since they cant get it out of the can that way, a single can will get you a whole night of baiting. last time i picked some up it was $0.18 per can and i bought about 50 cans.
if its one of the more stew like recipes, i do drizzle some of the liquid around on the ground as further attractant. if possible i grab as much of this type of food as i can when i'm buying. if nothing else is available, just regular can food works too. they're both plenty stinky and will attract - especially if theres a nice 5mph breeze to move it around for you too
ive been using that as raccoon, opossum and skunk bait for a quite a while now. i even get the occasional fox to wander in and give a sniff
i do the same thing with canned tuna. the packed in oil stuff is stinkier and seems to do better than the canned in water, doubly so when you drizzle the oil in a long lineon the ground. i used to do this to lure them out of the barns and draw them out under the yard light. just drip a line of tuna oil from my intended bait/kill site towards the barn we're having trouble with and stretch it out as far as possible. 50-60' is usually pretty easy if you're careful with your pour, you can get longer if you drip it every foot or so.
i find it pays to wander past the clearance rack at your grocery and pet supply stores