We buy them frozen but then brine them in really salty water to firm them up with a few drops of Mrs Stewarts Blue to make them shine.
Mooching live herring used to be quite popular for salmon out this way but not many people bother anymore. I'm pretty much strictly spoons for salmon now. Cheaper and easier.
For halibut we've been mainly using the swim baits with a third or fourth rod out in a rod holder with herring or octopus on it, or both.