The TN state record is 3 pounds and six ounces caught from a private pond in 1979. I've caught my best shellcrackers out of ponds, two in particular. However one pond was drained to build an industrial park, and the other was later posted because of idiots leaving the gate open and trashing it up. I caught many of mine on popping bugs and trout flies. Also have had good luck fishing redworms or nightcrawlers on the bottom. I've noticed shellcrackers don't seem to want live minnows very often. I guess the biggest I ever caught was around 11" but it wasn't weighed.
My crocs are right at 13 inches. I catch redear in Chicago area pits that are longer.
Beadhead woolies in black and purple. You can watch the fish angle down and slurp it up. Biggest this year was popping dragon flies off a flower in middle of nowhere on popper. They are real aggravating watching them in gin clear water out of the yak.
They all get released.
blufloyd,
I'd have to see a picture to believe you're catching redear that big that far North. I'd don't doubt you're catching them around 10 inches, but a 13 inch redear is 1.5lbs and up, depending on his girth.
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