Excuse my ignorance as I've never experimented with lure making. I've dabbled a little bit in making my own baits. How is lure, particularly a food lure, preserved? Or does it preserve itself after aging for long periods? I know that most people use SB as a bait preservative but I'm unsure about lures.

This may depend on the ingredients that are being used in your lure. Yes SB is used in lure preservation as well as baits. Another is MP (methyl paraben) also zink valerate is a pretty potent preservative that is good in gland preservation. Just basic info for you. Hope others will add with more in depth info.