For catching my own bait, I primarily hit up the creeks and use the standard Wal-Mart nets (5' radius, 3/8" mesh) for creek chubs. I'd use chubs and small bluegill for catfish. If I'm looking for smaller, crappie minnows, I use a minnow seine or a dip net and try to corral the minnows into a corner and scoop them up. I've seen a guy use bread for minnows and shiners in a similar fashion. He would float some bread on top of the water, and while they were busy eating it, he'd slip the seine underneath them and scoop them up. I've used umbrella nets too for smaller baits if I see them schooling close to shore. I've baited the net with bread, and wait to see them busting the surface before quickly scooping them up. Lot's of options for catching your own bait.

As for catching shad in a lake or river, I've had luck with the same Wal-Mart net on shad within 2 to 3 feet of water. I've had no luck on deeper schools of shad with these nets. I think you need 3/4" to 1" mesh with a 1.5 lb per foot lead line and a radius of 6' or larger.