Potato cannon bait launcher for fishing the beach

[MathGeek]

Potato cannon bait launcher for fishing the beach

We're putting together a potato cannon bait launcher for fishing the beach. Most of the ones we've seen on the internet are pneumatic rather than combustion driven. Any reason why a combustion driven won't work? They are probably too loud for Grand Isle or Pensacola, but might be ok for Holly Beach or Rutherford, no?

Anyone ever use these (pneumatic or combustion)? We can already cast 250 ft with 12' ugly stiks, so we're really looking to launch bait 400-600 feet. Launching mullet seems simple enough, but are there any ideas for launching crab without freezing it in a block of ice?

All insights and discussion appreciated.