what do yall do cut live dead whole any suggestions. thanks

Snip the tail fin off, cut into 2-3 pieces. I use kitchen scissors. No better way. I use heads only if I have enough shad and the fish are biting.

I also like the tips in Tiny's Catfishing Tips web page ... See the following:

http://www.catfishing.tv/Main/tips-section/TipsSection.html

and see the Bait: section on the left of the page.

Neil

I've been catchin quite a few blues up to 10 lbs on cut gizzard shad heads mostly, havn't been getting as many bites on the cut shad, and not very many on live ones either, I have been keeping the shad alive till it's time for the knife. Been drifting.

Also if your lucky enough to catch a buffalo, fillet it and use the fillets. Good stuff.

yeah the heads are the best imo... when i have a shad thats like 3-5 inches I will cut the head off, then cut the tail off. that will make two good sized baits.. the head usualy gets hit faster... if I have a huge shad I may still use the head, but i will either filet it on each side, or cut it into 3rds and on the last part I always cut off the tail (dont know why, just dont like to use it)
Lately however I have found live perch in the 2-4 inch range are working better.

oh if all i have are the smaller shad like less than 3 inches long, I usualy just cut off the tail portion and use the rest.

I usually just cut the shad in half it is less that 3 inches, anything larger I would either cut it in more chunks or use filets.

With the smaller shad, you can cut into them like you would to partially fillet a fish, then let it flap, it maximizes the exposure of blood to the water for the small stuff.