I usually drop my own baitcloud in the early morning water after a big cup of coffee

Is chumming illegal in tournaments? That's all this is really. I will have to try it atleast once though.

Yes chumming is the same as baiting a hole and is illegal in every event I've ever been in.
For example dumping dog food on a brush pile to attract baitfish.

Years ago I was one of the demo guys on the tank at Bass Pro as part of my part time gig there. When they would feed, there would be scales and minnow parts floating around for several minutes after all the bait was gone. What ever you through in there while the cloud of goo and scales was around got killed!(easy way to sell baits!) Not sure if this is any indication as to how the same fish would behave in the wild but I did notice it then and I have tried to mimic it several times with glitter and scents but never really found an efficient way to do it. Success was limited at best. Anyway, there may be something to this in a controlled environment but not so sure in the wild. Guess time will tell.

My wife said it is the same concept as a "bath bomb" that her and her girlfriends make. She said she could make one with Anise and craw oil and it would be the same thing.....for about 15 cents a ball.

Reminds me of a giant Fizz Pellet, for those who remember when those were being sold.