Awesome!! Mike out at Camelot Belle has put together one heck of a trophy fishery. The genetic strain he has in his lake is amazing, and as pure as you'll find. The state record and mabey a world record are swimming in that lake, and Mike was very confident this year is the year one if not both of those records would be broken. After spending a day with him on Camelot Belle I feel pretty confident that his lake has a shot at it. Look at it this way, its $50 per hour per angler to have a legitimate shot at a state or world record fish. I'm saving money every chance I get to try and get back out there this spring early summer.. My wife and I went in November, the bite was off and she still caught a big 9 and 10 lb toads. Folks can gawk at the price, but once you experience Camelot Belle you'll quickly realize its worth every single penny and then some. Its a great feeling the minute you set foot in the boat knowing you are surrounded by giants, and knowing you have the best odds you'll ever have in your life for a record breaking fish. This place is the real deal yall.

Thank for the kind words Clint...I look forward to catching many more at Fork and Falcon just to name a couple of lakes I will be continuing to fish.

doctorb, you are entitled to your opinion but the State of Texas, as well as the Share-a-Lunker program, recognizes and accepts fish from both public and private waters. I can assure you that I am just an "average" guy like anybody else who has a passion for fishing.
I believe that the State Record , which stood for many years at one point, came from a private lake back before Fork came along.

Steve, do you know what is the biggest "known" fish in this lake ? Does anyone know ?

I realize the state recognizes fish from both private and public water. And I am fully in agreement of the Share a lunker program accepting fish from private water since these fish will hopefully benefit all Texas anglers. I have donated one myself. I just think that these fish that are essentially farmed should have a separate category for records. I realize this is just my opinion and I respect that. I am in no means trying to take anything away from your catch. I have fished a few choice private waters myself. I even have my own private water that I can set my fish feeder off and watch the feast begin. I like catching those fish as well as anyone, I just don't think it is the same as catching these fish out of a public resevoir.

Theres been one confirmed just over 17 lbs last year thats still swimming in the lake... I believe that was before the Talapia gorge too so no telling how big she is now.

I'd be all over that deal Brad! Jeff told me you had another great trip down there a few weeks ago. I have been talking about going for a while I just need to GO!

Jason

That's awesome Steve, that had to be a great time!!!

First let me say that this is in no way meant to be argumentative....

I know Mike Frazier and there is no way he is going to let TPWD have one of his fish so the SAL program is kind of a moot point with regard to Camelot Bell. Also I'm pretty sure that the State has since Disallowed fish from any Private Waters to be eligible to be classified as a State Record.

I have fished Camelot Bell and I do believe there is certainly a State, possibly a World Record swimming around in there. Mike has set this lake up to break the world record and has a real shot at making his dream come to fruition. He is not only selective about when he fishes the lake, he is also selective about who gets to fish the lake. If he feels like you will not respect his property and his rules at the lake, you will not be invited to fish. He doesn't need the money. Trust me.

There are no crappie, no catfish, nothing to compete for the food source with the largemouths. The only thing that lives in this lake besides bass is tilapia & coppernose bluegill up to 2# (I saw them) and a couple of 40-60# grass carp that Mike put in there to control the vegetation.

I will verify this but I am almost certain. It is true that prior to Mark Stevenson catching Ethel in Nov '86, John Alexander's fish was the former state record and it was caught from Lake Echo (Private) but I am pretty sure it has been disallowed.

Thanks Monte and yes, it was!

I drove out there in my Moritz Chevy Z71 Crew-Cab pick-up truck which you know had to account for part of my success that day

Ken, there are not only bluegills and tilapia, there are also redears, gizzard and threadfin shad and an abundant crawfish population. Oh and bullfrogs galore in the summer.

Hummert hit the weather perfect, and he can fish. The results speak for themselves. I fished it yesterday, behind the front. 51 degrees, 20-25 mph north winds and didn't start until 11am. I caught a 10.5 on a LFT blk/blu/plum jig with a Grandebass 4" craw in water melon/candy/red (thanks Steve) on my fourth short cast. MIke and I fished 30 mins. , broke for lunch, and fished another two hours. I caught an 8 and Mike caught a 6, both weighed on Bogas. And those were the only three bites we had. BTW, we don't try and get specific. If it clears a number but doesn't get to the next 1/4 lb. we call it that number. So Steve CPR'd two legitimate Share-A-Lunkers in one day! Mike and I quit fishing and went to his brother's ranch to mess around, then to Mike's other ranch to look around.

Now seriously, how many of you die-hard guys (who haven't caught a DD) and have the means wouldn't go to a 40 acre private lake and pay $800 to catch one fish? The 10.5 I caught Saturday? Wait 'til you see her before you answer. PIG!

I understand that most cannot afford the expense, have better uses for the dollars or don't like private lakes. I'm perfectly agreeable to that stance.

But please don't diminish the fun, the experience and the accomplishment of a man catching 55 lbs. of bass in one day or another fishing where you can't or won't, just because.

Way to go Steve. My personal best at The Bell was 51.25 and you smashed that. Oh! Mike's 6 was 17 inches and my 8 was 19!! Wait til you see the 10.5. I'll put the photo up tomorrow.

I don't need to wait to answer your question, Fouz. It's definitely on my bucket list.

Congratulations on an awesome job, Steve.

how big is the body of water???

This set-up reminds me of hunting exotics on land with those high fences. It all feels "manufactured".

i wrote them, still waiting for an answer