I am pretty sure back east they have been using anise to catch spring perch for a long long time. Small jig, small fold of cloth threaded onto the hook, and a drop of fresh scent with every fish caught.
I know my dad used it in darkhouse spearing. But if it was just to attract perch or what I don't know. But he would take a scrap of cloth, maybe 2" square, wrap it in a piece of wire so it would sink. And put a half dozen drops of Anise on it. Then drop it down to the bottom.
Maybe it just covered up the human scent. Maybe it attracted more perch and batfish to the hole he was fishing.
But he had awefully good luck at consistently getting pike from 5 to 15 lbs.
But I also know he had patience, fished slower. He also had a sense for when a big one was hanging back, watching.
By being slow and patient he could ussusally finnesse them in.