Bait question

[g_trout]

Hello,


Is a fly, cricket, or other insect considered bait in the regulations?

The regulations say anything that is smell or flavour so does a live grasshopper flopping on the top of the water count as a flavour attractant? It shouldn't but I think it would be against the spirit of the rule.


Just curious.

[Mike_W]

Yes it would be illegal

[ABWalleyeGuy]

That would cost you big time if you got caught for sure. You're right. The spirit of the law is to protect the fish from deep hooking related mortality.

[Steven Noel]

The flavour/smell doesn't just have to do with attracting fish to your hook, it also influences how willing the fish are to swallow once they strike. Something like a grasshopper that might not add an attractant initially will still add such once the fish bites, increasing the depth of the fish's grab and its mortality rates as a result.