Rieter Rat, Finally a response based on reason, rather than emotion. BTW, My opinion supports your reason. From the studies I've read bait doesn't have much of a impact on steelhead during winter months Nov-March. The rest of the year I say YES to no bait. But this is a useless survey because it won't happen.

In my opinion bait is a confidence tool, wild winter steelhead and summer runs are aggressive enough and it's not needed to be successful plus you lower theimpact on the down river kelts, smolts, char and cutthroat. Gosh look how successful anglers are during the C&R season and there's no bait allowed then