my favorite dead bait is sardines i hook them in the tail root right on the very edge where the tail starts and never had any problems with them staying on, i get mine from Morrison's fish counter.
my favorite lure is a number four mepps comet (red and brass) they seem to be great on the Leeds and Liverpool canal and make a lot of vibration.
live bait wise i found gudgeon to be great and keep lively longer than any others, especially when used with the lightest float possible so they search the water more and don't tire out sooner.