Originally Posted by
EyeAmRealGhetto
Alive is generally the best way to go.
What are you fishing for and from which pier? Given that information, it would be easier to give specific information.
for example. Halibut off of piers. Just about the best bait you can use is live smelt. Catch it off the pier and pin one on right away. If you're going to hold onto it, you need an airator and a apparatus of some sort to contain the bait. Once the smelt dies it significantly reduces in efficiency.
bonito off of piers. sardines and large chovies. once again live is best.
mackerel off of piers. any cut/frozen/fresh bait will generally work. here it doesn't seem to matter. catch a mackerel, slice that sucker up and catch some more.
good luck out there!