Live bait for sure, sometimes i clip a fin or part of the tail if the bait is super lively and setting my flags off, need to be careful clipping cuz it can upset the balance of the fish and force them to swim only upside down which usually leads to tangles. as for dead bait i have caught pike on them but not on purpose, I have had baits hit once or twice and killed that keep on catching but I feel live is always best, anyone try the hotdog for pike? I saw the post and forgot to try last weekend but will surely set a couple tipups with them just for kicks!