Probably depends where you're fishing. I fish the san juans and a live greenling is the ticket for BIG fish. But I heard at possession a sand dab works better.

Recent years I have gotten lazy about using live bait and use a black or purple label herring on a very large mooching-style setup (zip-tying the herring's head to the top hook). Seems to work just as well.

The lowest amount of work and highest amount of fish (though smaller) come on a berkley 6" gulp grub (I like new penny color). I start with a 6oz jig head but go up or down depending on the current.

Lings like moving water.