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.
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.
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.
Bait question
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