I'll fish a bream over any bait for cats. Alive or dead, makes no difference. I personally prefer to freeze my bream a day or two in advance. Seems like there is no struggle to eat the bait, which in return produces better hook ups. I wouldnt waste the money on eels.

on another note, we netted about an 18-20lb blue cat this weekend with a 12" + catfish in its throat. My buddy was getting a small bite, and all of a sudden the rod bent over. We're thinking the smaller cat was munching on the dead bream and the bigger cat ate them both!! Couldnt beleive the size of the catfish in its mouth.