To catch shad, you will need a throw net. They do not bite any bait or anything that I know of to date. They may bite flies but I have never done it.

 

Throw Net. There are restrictions to size and mesh here in Ohio, so be careful what you get. They generally come with instructions, but I would recommend you get with someone who can teach you, and then practice.

 

Your best bet is to learn to throw a cast net. Your other option is an umbrella net at a spillway.
I have been throwing a cast net for years, and shad are easy targets, you just have to find them. In lakes they are often in the shallow water that is muddy and near overpasses. In rivers they are often in the fast moving waters below damns/spillways and feeder creeks.
Only some scouting will tell you where to find them in your area. They are the little critters busting the water all the time and tend to make a little smacking noise with there tails.

 

my dad's friend got a shad on a wax worm , but it is rare and you are better off buying them or catching them, but shad catching season is over mainly

 

Shad catching season over? noooo way.. Ive caught more in the past few days than any this year..