we use here in nova scotia.. herring, mackeral, sandworms and bloodworms.. what else is a good bait for the bass.

clams and eels. i use clams in one spot, its the only spot i really bait fish, besides eels. i dont really consider eels bait, more like candy, and i use em all the time.

which one is best clam tounge or clam with the belly?

tongue, it stays on better and you can bury the whole hook out of site, and that matters IMHO

IN A PINCH a couple pounds of steamers from the local grocery store do the trick. crack it, but leave the shell on, it's like chunky peanut butter to stripers.

scup is an excellent bait

I don't think scup go as far north as Nova Scotia. Try giant sea worms , ocean herring, sea clams, steamer clams, mackerel, small pollock, red fish or menhaden

I remember watching the fishermen catch 60 pound halibut off the pier at Campobello island. They used sea clams (that was 45 years ago).

silver hake is good bait