I would concur that blackmouth are eager biters, and finding bait is a BIG part of catching them, but I wouldn't necessarily say that using scent isn't important or doesn't effect success.

I think that there are 3 important attributes of your lure of choice that can effect your success. This opinion comes from 20 years of applying and learning on my own, and listening and learning from others. Some of the people I've learned tricks from include Tom Nelson, John Beath, Charlie White and others.

I think that you increase your odds of success if your lure has these 3 characteristics, 1) some kind of vibration to draw the fish in from a distance 2) an attractive action to bring them up to the bait after they see it and 3) the certificate of authenticity - scent.

If all 3 things are working properly, and if there are fish around, you will catch them. It may be that the scent of your choice is only masking the human scent, or it may be that the scent is triggering a response based on the feeding habits. Whether you use herring oil, anise, WD-40 or a special concoction, I think that using something is better than not. Like I say, if nothing else, use it to mask the human scent.

Even if I'm jigging, I'll squirt something on the jig. If I've handled my flashers they get a little something too. Hoochies get a squirt or a herring strip. I rub a little on the leader as well. I've run side by side tests and sometimes it doesn't matter, but more times than not, the lure that has the 3 things I've outlined will be a successful lure.

It's so easy to add a little something to your lure that I can't see why you wouldn't use them.

Hey Jeff, let's do some field trials with that new Coyote eh?