The success of prebaiting invariably depends on the water concerned.
One water I know shows a remarkable propensity for the fish to ignore decent quantities of bait until the second or third night. No problem if you've got plenty of time for long term stays, otherwise prebaiting is the answer.
The one thing a water does need to be if you are going to prebait is fairly quiet. I've yet to find a water where you can legitimately reserve a prebaited swim. The busier a water is, the greater the chance that you won't get the swim you've prebaited when you want it.