The Lake on a summer weekend: Awsome clear water, MILLIONS of play boats and jetskis, Most want to see how close they can get to you. Waves/boat wakes crashing over the sides, bow, stern. Trolling motor out of the water as much as in the water, Carpet stays soaked.
Fish or twenty every stop. 50 fish days expected and HAD. ALL would be keepers in Arkansas. Most just under 15" though. You'll hook up with about 1/4th of the hits you get...maybe?
Can't tell how big the fish is until you get a look at it.

Bull Shoals on a summer weekend: Water claity makes Table Rock look like the AR River. My tap water isn't that clear.
WHERE are all the play boats? Saw less than 15 playboats and jetskis and covered more than half the lake. And, they kept their distance. Nothing more than a very light chop all day.
Fish or two on every stop if you work at it. All keepers, most smaller than any fish at Table Rock though.
They seem to take a jig better also. If you get a hit, you usually catch it.
Most you can tell how big they are before you see them.

Pretty place. It's still...just not "THE LAKE".

AND...One play boat, stayed out in the middle...playing, running, tubing. Had Jimmy Buffett "CRANKED". ALL day. I fished and listened to Buffett far off in the distance most of the day.