I was there 3 weeks ago the morning of a pretty severe cold front on CB and my biggest 4 were 6.61, 6.42, 4.38, 3.92 and I'd say I caught between 20-25 fish total.

Serious question, does a bass on private water actually count as a PB? I have never counted my PB as one that I caught on a ranch, it had to be public water.

As far as I am aware there are no laws on what a man can count as his PB. Some folks are going to be perfectly comfortable counting a private water fish as a PB others are not. Does it count as a PB if you used a guide? What about electronics? What if you use a $1,200 rod and reel casted from a 80K bass boat? Is that PB less meaningful than an kids caught from the bank on a cane pole?

Nobody had a problem counting fish from Lake Dixon in CA as a PB. It's tiny... 70 acres, and while technically public, access was highly limited. I'm not sure how CB is fundamentally different. In some sense it is open to the public. Anyone who pays the fee can fish it. Yes the fee is high, but so are boat payments.

Bottom-line is different strokes for different folks. I say if you are proud of it, count it!

No argument here, just figured I'd throw it out there. I couldn't go there and stick a big one and feel like I had accomplished something. Catch a DD in Lewisville, Ray Roberts, or any other public lake and I'd say it quite an accomplishment.

I just got back from there (fished 4/25 and 4/26 2021). First two days after a cold front with thunderstorms. Caught 65 on Saturday including a 5.5, 6.3, and 8.5, and then about 30 on Sunday including a 7.5 and 9.2. I didn’t catch my pb there, but still had a great time. Mike was a great host. Cabins and campers on site. Big fish aren’t guaranteed, and you still have to know how to fish, but the odds are WAY better. Bottom line, I can’t wait to go back!

Sounds like a pretty good trip!

There is some great input here! Has anyone been since it got hot lately or have summer pattern info? My buddy and I are going on June 27 for my birthday and we have a few other good reasons to celebrate. - I don't see a lot of summer videos but most all the youtube videos show guys throwing crankbaits or flukes. What else do you throw? We are fishing Camelot Bell, not Wolf Pack if it matters.

How clear is the water? Will they hit a spook or pop-r on top water early and late? Frogs? Buzzbaits? Texas or Carolina rig? Wacky rig? Drop shot or too much grass? Jigs and Chatterbaits? How tough is the grass, can you punch it? Would you use a leader with braid or just straight braid? Do you need good electronics or is it small enough you just fish the fishy spots and take all day doing it? We're renting their boat and getting a guide (might be their son) for at least part of the day, so that should alleviate some of the brand newness. It's going to be hot, but we plan to fish it hard pretty much all day from the time they allow us on the property until they kick us out. I only have a small handful of crankbaits, so if I need to buy something specific I certainly will. Thank you all for sharing!

Give me a shout. Happy to help

Man 1 day I'd love to fish this place.

Thank you Ken, your kindness is greatly appreciated! My theory here is if you want to catch big fish (and I do), it helps to go where they are.

Yes sir you are welcome. I love helping folks catch their PB's. There are some legit Giants in CB.

I caught one in Jan 2012 that actually bottomed out a 15# Boga Grip and we had to get a 30# set to weigh her.

So what did she weigh?

I understand the thought, but I think it is all about perspective. I could say it is not an accomplishment to catch PB on public lake that kicks-out big fish. I don't believe that, it's still a PB, but you can make a qualifier for whatever you want. It's what you want it to be. I am happier knowing I figured out a pattern and catching solid sized fish for a given lake than randomly sticking a big fish. But, then again, I don't find a need to advertise my catches to anyone except me (and possibly my wife and close fishing buddies) - I don't do it for the internet.

But, to the gist of the post, Camelot Bell would be a great experience. Would love to have the opportunity to fish it.

If you love bass fishing how could you not want to fish it? I feel very lucky to get to go and I absolutely agree it's relative - that's why PB starts with "personal." Anyone who wants multiple classes of personal best is free to delineate. I don't fish so I can brag about the biggest fish I caught. I fish because it's good for my soul and I absolutely love the mental exercise of trying to figure out patterns, seasons, baits, where the biggest bass in the lake is, what it wants and then trying to catch it. It's like natures' rubix cube. Having said that, I don't think the state record should ever be recognized from a privately owned 30-40 acre fish farm.

Agreed.

Also the State Record from private waters is 15.74

Public is 18.18 from Fork