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.