I will never spend money on frozen shad. Fresh is 100 times better. Spending money on a cast net is the only way to go. it will pay for its self.

Q: I do not have a casting net and buy frozen shad at bait stores. Does the frozen shad suck that bad, that I get no bites?

A: Little frozen shad that you buy at bait stores does "suck that bad". Get a cast net and practice a little, the larger the shad the better. Large shad (say over 9 inches or so) you can also freeze yourself for later use . Or use some of the bluegill you talk about below. Carp, and buffalo from your local Asian mart or Fiesta is a much better choice than "frozen baitstore suck shad". Nightcrawlers are better than "frozen baitstore suck shad" , and a 24 count carton ( Academy for under 4 bucks) will make about 48 baits. Crawlers catch fish but don't give you the best odds of catching a large fish.

Q: Store bought shad is usually small so I hook it whole through the eyes, should I cut it instead?
A: Don't bother with frozen bait store shad.

Q: I see most guys using blue gill for bait, can I catch it and freeze it and use it for bait later? Or catch hours before cat fishing?
A: You can catch and freeze but fresh is better. You can put them in a little lunch cooler on ice and keep in your fridge for 2 or 3 days (wife permitting) and that�s better than freezing them.

Q: When night fishing do you cast our far or keep it near the shore? What if the shore is shallow?
A: What species? Channels- no comment.
Flatheads - fish structure and keep it somewhat close.
Blues- have most out far and one or 2 in closer. If shallow, I wade out a good ways before I cast. I usually fish for blues and do better on the distance rods, but have on occasion seen big fish and/or quantities of fish caught in closer.

Q: When bank fishing I normally use a Santee Rig w/a cigar float a few inches from the bait. Do you guys use this method or just keep the bait on the bottom?
A: If you ask 100 consistently successful catfisherman, you will get 75 different answers. If silty/muddy/soft use something (santee cooper, three way) to keep your bait out above the mud so the fish can find it. I don't think it matters much if the bottom is hard. I think the right location, good bait, and sharp hooks are more important than what type method you decide on.

Q:I caught a few cats with Weenies on a treble hook one time, but that was it. Should I keep trying that as a back up when fishing?
A: Er- no comment other than I would not.
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Come to the fish party Saturday and I'll show you how I rig bait. That's about all I got. Can't type it out.

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Very good advice above and i want to add one thing--
You CAN learn to use a cast net.
A cheap smallish one is how most of us started out.
One thing you see repeated here is fresh is best--
At some point if don't want to revert back to same kind of fish you have been catching get a net and learn that.
If you still have trouble after video's post up, don't be embarrassed and me or someone will get ya to throwing that thing.
Be willing to meet someone at the lake or somewhere and someone WILL help you.
I practiced a lot on my driveway so don't think you can only practice when going fishing.
If ya want I will work it out with you to help ya learn to throw, I'm not the best out there but I can get it to open enough to catch a shad now and then.