I have had some damned good tench in particular on peeled prawns.... the bigger than average ones (not the King size / Tiger ones - silly money for those and better inside me than inside the fish... ). Carp are also quite happy with them, especially attractive to some decent Crucians, alternating with red paste (when one slows down, switch to the other, and vice versa - works well for me).
Hooked the prawns all three ways - threaded thick end on to point and round the bend for camouflage tho point a little obscured; back to back through the back of the prawn - shaft hidden but bend of hook visible - and hair rigged (using a wire spring thingy). Found no discernable difference between any of these methods in either takes or hooking up ability.
Excellent bait.
Mussels good but a bastard to keep on the hook. Anyone with a solution to that one ?
And I think there have been a number of references to vinegar being a put-off for Carp and fish in general.
Never tried the cooked but unpeeled variety, but have thought of doing so on the river - infested with crayfish - for chub.
The chub can be felt to have "crunchy" bits inside themselves when handled, so anything resembling a Ronnie 'n Reggie might well work with the bigger ones.
That said the recent rain and onset of autumn has facilitated slug collecting time..... !