M.S.,

I like to fish without bait when there is alot of smolts,trout or even suckers that won't let you finish a dift in an area without stripping you.

In some places like the Vedder River in BC I would say yarn/wool ties alone work ten times better than roe/shrimp or any other bait. It doesn't matter whether you bounce bottom or float-fish, the Coho and White Chinooks up there bite better without it.

On the other hand, I've been in areas where bait's a must especially steely's. It all boils down to CONFIDENCE and superstition!