Depends on the water, wether its been hammered or not. On pressured waters I find more exotic baits like blueys, lamprey, smelt, have the edge. On one water in particular good old Mackay out fishes just about every bait going. I do a lot of sea, coarse and game fishing so if been known to use dead baits such as Pollock, whiting, horse mackerel, trout, grayling, even flounders ha! You name it if used it as pike baits and just about everything works especially 1lb half fish jacks for the big mammas! I seem to remember I got nowt on the flatty, tough as old boots he he :-)