jakeb,
I don't have much experience with FLA LMB, but I'd guess that 1-3 catches per hour with live bait is doable.
I use live bait and artificals in both freshwater and saltwater. Throwing artificals is more "sporty," but live bait almost always outfishes lures. The exception is when you have a lucky day and get into a lot of fish that are feeding heavily. On those days, you can throw anything and there isn't much difference between live bait and artificals.
For LMB and CCs, I've used shad, bluegill, yoy LMB, and shiners for bait. All have worked well.
Tying on a lure is easier than catching live bait and keeping it alive, but they both work. My guess is that you'd have higher catch rates for FL LMB with live bait.
