Looking for 10 pounder

Is there any private waters to call on that have a high percentage chance of catching a 10 pound bass within a reasonable distance of Tarrant county? Thanks!

Check out Private Water Fishing. I am not sure about 10lbers but I have been lucky enough to fish a few of their lakes as a guest and they are good lakes. I think a few of them are managed with big fish in mind. Think those are in far East Texas but not sure. Salex will show up I am sure and give us info on the big bass lakes he has.

Its still fishing though. Private water or not 10lb fish just dont jump on the hook. My buddy is a member of the club and he does really well but has not got a DD. Really nothing over 7lbs. His biggest fish have come from public lakes in East Texas as have mine.

Good luck man! If you get a good lead let me know! I want a DD too!

Thanks Dan, I just figured getting on a lake that is not 30k acres and managed for big fish might help my chances to get into a DD bass. If something comes up I'll keep you posted!

I know of no where in the country where you have a high percentage of catching a 10lb bass. And I know lots of great fishing lakes. Most people will never catch one. Those who do are rare.

If you try private waters and don't catch a 10 pounder, give Toledo Bend lake a shot....seriously will put the odds in your favor. Like already stated, it's still fishing, but Toledo, Rayburn, and Fork have the big ones. Just keep in mind to "fish for a big bass" (different)to increase the odds.

I believe certain private waters contain LMB over 10 pounds...those which have been intensively managed.

However, to expect a high % chance at catching one is unrealistic, IMO. A LMB that reached 10 or more pounds in small waters has very likely seen many different attempts at catching it...they don't get that size without a high "intelligence" factor.

My objective for my ponds is to have a 50% chance of catching a 5 pound or over LMB for every hour of fishing...and I've achieved that objective...but only through very carefully managed ponds and strict absolute limits on fishing pressure.

I just don't believe a high % chance at 10 pounders in small waters is realistic.

I think that I know how to potentially raise a 10 pound bass. That is, I know the formula. It would be a very boring trip.

I've caught several DD out of relatively small waters the largest being 12.7. The majority was on the 75 acre lake on my EX's family ranch. I'm no longer welcome to fish that amazing body of water.

Old blues men have a saying "if you're gonna sing the blues, you gotta pay your dues."


Same thing is true with big bass;
----- log a lot of time in a boat. Learn everything you can about fish, big fish and their habits.

And even then.... you gotta get lucky.

Nothing is in your favor when trying to catch a 10lber.

Camelot Bell is 2 hours away or less.
On a good day chances are decent ( not high like over 50% or anything) to hang into a dd- then you gotta land it- lake has a lot of brush!
To catch big bass consistently (or even just one) often requires playing the correct odds game- it's very hard so anything possible to better your odds is worthwhile.

Yea, probably should have worded it different...."will help your odds" of catching a 10 pounder. All I can say, it has worked for me on Rayburn and Toledo. I have spent a lot of hours on the water on those lakes and that is most likely the biggest factor....that helped my odds!

Define "reasonable distance."

Right then and there is where you'll see the intersection of the desire to catch something, in this case a "ten plus pound largemouth bass," and the commitment to do so, in this case travel a "reasonable distance."

So, if by "reasonable distance," we mean somewhere between here and Lake Biwa, Central Honshu, Japan, our chances rise as compared to, say within a forty-five minute drive.

Plus, like anything else, if its "pay to play," the better the play the more you pay.

From the standpoint of managing a small water body (less than 500 acres) as an income producing sport fishery, I've done some research on the issue and learned, more than once....

That commitment thingy I mentioned up above? Its pretty dang rare. Most folks just don't want to spend the time, money, effort, heartache, sacrifice, and everything else it takes to catch that also rare fish.

You create the fishery, and put it in front of the fishing public that are already paying to play, and give them the choice of other spots that are easier to catch good fish, just not ten plusses, and they quickly lose interest in the pursuit of that oh so difficult to catch fish. Going back to the easier to catch, but not quite so big, and still maybe a chance...but with so little time and work and kids, and...and...folks pretty much want a tight line for the few moments they got, what's on the end isn't all that important.

Even in a small lake with a lot of big fish, they are dang hard to catch unless you're willing to "cheat." Most private fisheries don't 'llow no cheatin'.

Some pretty good cheats....

Live bait, big ole gizzard shad, green sunfish, or even waterdog. Live now, not half dead.

Running water, fish right in front of the pump discharge, but you gotta git your bait down below the smaller fish to get to the biguns.

Feeding station, usually close to the road so the truck can get there and dump easy, fish live bait right after the truck dumps.

the short answer is, more research. I betcha more than one of the lakes in "Private Water Fishing" has what you want if you are willing to do the work it takes. You figure out which ones are the most likely and fish them enough times to learn them, then concentrate your efforts on the big fish in those spots.

If you got enough money, try the Camelot Bell bit a few times.

I got 'em at my place (maybe not such a reasonable distance), but even with a couple dozen folks fishing they don't turn up that frequently.

Best and biggest usually caught on the flats, January, February and March. 30 inches to 4 feet deep, Southern exposure, second or third day after a front.

The number one thing I see in common with everybody I know in the "ten plus" club is commitment.

I'll echo what the others have said. Time on the water is number one. Being a proficient trophy fisherman is number two. Fishing where they live is number three. Fishing where they live in large numbers is even better. Now I'll share a few experiences.

I've caught hundreds of DD fish. About 20 of those are from public water. Lake Fork is my home lake and I've spent a good deal of time on Rayburn, Toledo and Pinkston, too. Fishing for nothing but BIG fish. This often involves sitting in one spot (tied up) and making the same casts over and over. For hours on end. Unless you're sight fishing for bedding bass. That's a whole other endeavor in and of itself.

I used to fish at The Lakes of Danbury which fishbreeder on here played a HUGE hand in developing. The club kept a fishing log and members were asked to log their catches, lures, depths, lake, etc. On most days I would catch a ton of fish with a half dozen over 7 pounds. Some days many more than that, some days far fewer. Double digits came pretty regularly for me, there. When conditions were right. From reviewing the reports of other club members, I quickly realized that old adage really is true...10% of the fishermen catch 90% of the fish. Now I'm no superior angler, but I focused my efforts strictly on big fish. I'd guess that fewer than 5% of bass fisherman are true big fish hunters, with the time to drop what they're doing and go after those behemoths when conditions turn perfect, during a very small window.

Camelot Bell may be one of your better options within' two hours. I've fished it more times than I can count. I've had some incredible days out there with 50-55 pounds for my best five. And I've also been skunked at Camelot Bell. At least 20 times if not more. These are pure Florida bass and they don't like the least little change in the weather. The sheer number of double digit fish in those lakes greatly increases your odds of getting your bait in front of one. Making her bite, sticking her and getting her in the boat is up to you. It's expensive and comes with no guarantees. You pay your money and take your chances. But your chances at Camelot Bell are as good as anywhere I know, and much better than almost anywhere else.

For a more reasonable fee, you can fish a bunch of different lakes and have them to yourself. Many of these are trophy fisheries and the chance at a DD is pretty good. If that sounds more like your deal, check into www.privatewaterfishing.com

I highly recommend both CB and PWF.

Fouzman and fishbreeder, thank you for the input. From what I've seen here now Private Waters can kiss it. I don't mind putting in the effort, I've caught tons of fish... just wanted (initially) to see if there was a shortcut to the DD with out cheating. As far as distance goes I'd entertain any where in Texas... might just have to plan a multi day trip. I will try to make a trip to Camelot Bell, I had also heard Winters Lake, or Lake Winters was a hot spot at one time (for big bass), any one know if this is still the case?

Thanks for the real answers guys!

Awesome thread, some excellent reading

Fouzman, I'm one of those that like fast action with a fly rod. So panfishing suits me better. I would love to hear your keys to catching big fish but I suspect it takes far more patience than I'm capable of Great post, I enjoyed reading it.

Patience? Nah, sometimes all it takes is a hook in the water and pure luck....I have heard a lot of stories from panfishermen that got hooked up with some pretty big fish quite by accident. Lots of broken fly rods and even then, some big fish caught.

Really, the ONLY thing that makes it quite impossible to catch that ten plus, is to not fish. Fish, and there's always that chance what's a tuggin' at your line might not be what you was expectin'....

Here you go Fishbreeder...a Thanksgiving 10 pounder from my Nova pond. Not impossible to catch, but nearly so...and perhaps more difficult to raise.


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That fish, is the reward from a lot of time, effort, money, and commitment and is well earned.

Yep, I remember Bob Lusk once remarking that it may be more satisfying to grow a 10 pound bass than to catch one...and although I didn't agree at the time, I think I have come around to that way of thinking.

I am hoping in a few years I will catch a 10+ out of our 15 acre lake!!! We stocked it 18 months ago with Overtons Camelot/Lonestar Legacy bass. I havent fished it much but caught one in June ( a year from stocking) that was 13" and weighed 2 lbs. I was impressed.

I guess I am either lucky or blessed, my PB is 12.8 on conventional tackle with 5 more between 10 & 12.8 while my PB on my fly rod is 14+ with a dozen more over 10 but then again I have access to two limestone pit lakes and a dozen ponds all stocked with Florida strain LMB I am hoping to break the Texas state record for LMB on a fly rod this spring!

Jackson, I'm a member of PWF and can tell you that 3 of my fishing buddies who are also members have caught double digit bass. The clubs stocking and management fundamentals are geared towards growing trophy bass

Holy Mackeral! I mean....Bass.

Nice fish, heck, biggest bass I ever saw caught by a fly rod. I can't tell from the pics what the fish was caught on, popper?

Had a bunch of those fly fishin' nuts, I um, meant "purists," on a 50 acre lake I kept some really big blue cats in years ago. Mostly shallow, lotsa lotus pads, big sunfish and small bass.

They's having the time of their lives going around in these inner tube things and catching bass and sunfish. I sent one of 'em back to the "hole" where some big blues were eating caterpillars falling out of the trees, told the fellow "Try one of them green and yeller caterpillars you showed me." I didn't say nuthin' about what was back there.

He come back without his sunglasses, and his hat, just like the one in the pic above, was all wet. He'd hooked up with probly a 50 pound plus, and actually got to see the beast before it got away. He was one happy purist. BTW, is there a fly rod record for blue cat?

Anyhow, you can tell that the fish you caught is a healthy, well fed specimen, female, fairly young, and not been caught and released recently, or maybe at all. That fish could be pushed to well over 15 pounds in one growing season with the right amount and availability of food.

It takes both a fish culturist and a fisherman.

you would have as much luck on Fork, Palestine, Lake O the Pines, Ray Roberts, or as I learn more about Joe Pool, Joe Pool. the first key is studying lake maps, reading books about large bass habits and the fish the lakes accordingly. the second key is slowing down and fishing a potental spot / area all day. most of the time big fish wll not exhert a lot of energy chasing a bait, so use lures that stay is a strike zone longer or can be fished in and through cover effectively.

or become good friends with "fly fishing fanatic" and fish his pond.

I know of 3 lakes that I can 99% guarantee you to catch a 10 to 10+lb fish out of in half a days' time.

Would love to hear more about such lakes.

+1

Large East Texas private property that I worked on for a few years right out of school had, at that time, 3 large intensely managed lakes. By that, I mean they had literally some if not most all of the very first original Florida strain bass tested here when they started bringing them in. The owner spared absolutely no expense on fisheries management for the past 30 years. We stocked at least 250,000 threadfins every year per lake(usually more), used 2-3 brood ponds per lake that were used for coppernose and red ear bluegill and even tilapia sometimes. We had brushpiles that were "maintained" every year usually by adding in more timber, fertilizer constantly applied for good blooms, vegetation management was also a constant. We had our own Smith Root shocking boat that is better than what most all of the TPWD boats are for our own surveys and fish removal.

On any given day, guests would catch 50 fish in a half day (8am-12 noon) that would average close to 6 pounds. We had what days that we called 8 8's and even 10 10's. Basically had 8 fish over 8 pounds, or 10 fish over 10 pounds. Yes, it happened more than once. There is a picture of a bass that has never been released to the public, and probably never will be, of a bass caught by one of the owners good friends on one of the lakes that would have beaten the current state record by 2.5lbs. And yes, I have seen the picture. That particular lake will punish you on a good day. Don't even show up with less than 50lb braid.

I know all this probably sounds like a far fetched story made up, but I assure you it is not. I worked there for two years and saw some of the most incredible, truly world class bass fishing there is.

Doesn't surprise me at all. There are more than one of those places that most people never even hear about or see. Canton, down to Athens, over to Brushy Creek and down to Palestine. And you danged sure don't talk about them if you're lucky enough for an invite. Lots of old Dallas and ETX oil money control a TON of acreage in that region.

Great stuff. They were certainly doing all the right things. When you own your own electro fishing boat for your own property, you are truly committed. Great testament to great fish management and what can be accomplished with the right budget and commitment.

We just spent 2 days delivering tilapia to more than 2 dozen lakes in the Athens/Canton area and get to see some really great ranches, but your speaking of a place that few will ever see.

Doesn't surprise me at all. There are more than one of those places that most people never even hear about or see. Canton, down to Athens, over to Brushy Creek and down to Palestine. And you danged sure don't talk about them if you're lucky enough for an invite. Lots of old Dallas and ETX oil money control a TON of acreage in that region.

Exactly.....

Of the three lakes mentioned, the smallest was about 50 acres and the largest was about 90 acres. Since I left, they have built another 3 lakes ranging from 25-60 acres that they are managing the same way. Wish I still had access in there to fish, but then again it practically ruined me from bass fishing anywhere else. And, I won't even get into the crappie....

Do a google search on Pat Cullen out of Valdosta Georgia. They guy is an accountant, who fishes small ponds mostly at night. On last count he's caught over 1,113 bass over 10 lbs.

http://www.supremebassfishing.com/

PLace called Camelot bell/bells ck web

Lock Ridge? (sp) very few people have their own Smith Root boats.

Yes, Lochridge is what it was called then as Ed Sr. still was the majority owner. Ed Jr bought everyone out a couple years after I left and the lakes have gotten even better than they were.

Ah yes Lochridge....I've heard many a great story at that ranch. I know it was/is a great fishery. For those that don't know 250,000 threadfin retail price is $45,000 to $55,000 depending on who you buy them from. But I'm sure like most of the high end ranches, they seined their own.

I've got 10 over 10. 9 came from 2 different trips to Cuba and 1 from Bob Sandlin.
This was over 30 years ago, but all of them had 2 things in common. 12" black-red flake worm and 18-22' water. Texas rigged.

There is a lake where you have a very high percentage of a DD on any given day...……………………..You just wont ever get on it. It a little over a 100 acres. Ill give a hint though. It is near Lake Livingston.

Sounds like a great place

Edwin Cox didn't mess around!

As I recall, Cox stocked George Bush's ponds with those bass.

I know this doesn't answer the question for TX or near by distance. Many here have made great recommendations. I would personally go to Florida if you want a higher chance at a 10 pounder. I followed a YouTuber when I lived in Florida. He catches big fish and takes people on guided tours. I have no affiliation with him, he just makes videos I like to watch.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=north+florida+angler

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bw53e4vlmCc&t=1s

When I was there I broke my personal best multiple times on a small pond in our neighborhood. Biggest LMB I caught was 7 pounds during the spawn this year.

I found my DD in an East Teas pond near Crockett.

Camelot bell in Coolidge Texas is a safe bet. Call Mike Frazier, fishing can be tough at times but for the most part people are more successful than not. I caught a 10.91 out there 12/12/18