Red ear shell cracker

Shellcrackers look much like a bluegill on steroids, and of course, they have an opercular flap with an orangered edge ahead of a dark splotch. The species is usually found near the bottom in warm water with little current and abundant aquatic vegetation. Fish are available on our route trucks or for special delivery. All fishing buy, all about redear sunfish, habitats, fishing. Most redear are caught during the spawning season by fishing with red worms on the bottom. The breast of a mature redear is typically a rather bright yellow. This seems to be the year that i finally get it all lined up. The red ear spends much of its time in deep water and seldom feeds on surface insects like the bluegill. The redear spends much of its time in deep water and seldom feeds on surface insects like the bluegill. They have a distinct red coloring around its ear flap. When presenting the jig and cork combination, throw out and let the jig settle. Why havent red ear sunfish habitats been improved in bodies of water that are most affected by zebra mussels like rivers which power plants are located.

Redear sunfish get their name from the red gill flap but most southern anglers refer to them as shellcracker as they feed on small, freshwater mussels that inhibit the lake bottom. Although we caught only a few fish on that trip since it was too early, it did bring back memories of how much fun bream fishing can be. Thats why we work hard to bring you the information you need to know to manage your pond or lake. They are able to spit out the shell, retaining only the flesh of the shellfish. To crack hard shells, redears have specially modified teeth in their throat and is how the redear received the name shellcracker.

Redear sunfish often utilize snails as a major food item, hence the common name shellcracker. Shellcracker definition of shellcracker by merriamwebster. Due to its high sporting characteristics the redear sunfish lepomis microlophus has become a popular species among anglers throughout north america. Redear seldom respond to floating fish food, as do bluegill. Hector brito caught this worldrecord redear sunfish at lake havasu in 2014. At full length, adults are typically 810 inches long, but.

Redear or shellcracker are typically added at a rate of 5 to 15 percent of the total bream stocked. The redear sunfish, also known as the shellcracker, is arguably one of the best fighting, best tasting and hardest to find and catch throughout the season than any panfish you pursue. Red ear shell cracker in lake conway discussion in. Shell crackerredear sunfish painting for taxidermy youtube. How to catch bluegill and redear sunfish the fishing advice. The redear, or shell cracker as it is called in the southern us, has generally the same shape and coloration as the bluegill except for the ear flap which has a red edge that wraps around the back portion. Redear definition is a common sunfish lepomis microlophus of the southern and eastern u. It is the rare angler who didnt start their fishing career by catching bream, primarily bluegill and redear sunfish shellcrackers. Most often, the strike will occur when the jig settles. Because they can crush shells as they do, they have earned the nickname of shell cracker.

Redear sunfish are caught most often on earthworms around the full moons of march and april when their spawning activity peaks. Red ear shell cracker in lake conway discussion in fishing started by castinandblastin83, may 6, 20. Once the jig is still, start a stop and go retrieve. The dorsal fin usually has 10 spines, but may range from nine to 11, whereas the anal fin has three spines. Redear sunfish are native to waters in the southern united states, rio grande and mississippi river. The most individual characteristic is the cherryred border around the ear flap of the male and orange border on the female. They will also refuse a popping bug, but they do love sinking flies such as a beadhead nymph or a black knat. The back and sides are golden or light olive green. They are bigger than other sunfish, 7 to 10 inches in length, 1 to 2 pound weight. If any one has any information on a lake, not a particular spot please let me know, i would love. Redear shellcracker at dunns fish farm we know that your satisfaction is essential to our success. Nov 09, 20 shellcracker fishing during the midsummer months after the first shellcracker spawning rush has diminished.

Catching bluegill and shellcracker on kentuckhy lake. Teresa gardner of spring valley entered the record books on monday with the largest redear. None of their close relatives grows as big, and none fight harder than these scarleteared beauties. The body coloration is light olivegreen to gold, with red or orange flecks on the breast. Redear sunfish to biologists, or chinquapin to louisiana anglers, these feisty fish typically favor deeper haunts, but when a. Always seal your fish with basecoat sealer before painting. Florida lake tarpon and lake guntersville shellcrackers. May 01, 2015 it was a rare opportunity that i couldnt waste. Whats the better choice for big shellcracker, barkley or ky lake. Id like to hear from people who have personal experience too but everyones welcome to chime in. The ear flap is never deeply elongated as the redbreast sunfish or the longear sunfish.

Getting ready for redear bluegills get more press, but the redear sunfish, commonly called a shellcracker in the south, is king of the sunfish clan. My red ear slider took a huge fall today and cracked her. Theyve since been stocked in northern california lakes and reservoirs because they outperform the old standby bluegill. The fish farm is a large producer of game fish and japanise koi fish for water gardens. Red ear shell cracker in lake conway arkansas hunting. Red earshell cracker spawn at what water temperature do yall expect to see red ear on beds. Redear are stocked not only as sport fish but also as a solution to worm infestations commonly found in sport fish. The redear sunfish lepomis microlophus, also known as the shellcracker, georgia bream, cherry gill, chinquapin, improved bream, rouge ear sunfish and sun perch is a freshwater fish in the family centrarchidae and is native to the southeastern united states. Redear sunfish body color varies, depending on water quality, sex and age. I like to catch plenty of fish that fight hard, test my tackle and my angling skills an d taste delicious when i eat them. But they were observed in the lower colorado river, in southern california, in 1940. Redear bream lepomis microlophus scaled gill cover and small nape respectively red ear sunfish, also know as shellcracker, georgia bream, cherry gill, sunny, sun perch, improved bream, government bream, rouge ear sunfish, and chinquapin, look like bluegills, but the back part of their gillcovering has a red edging male or.

Slabsauce crappie attractant come join the best family orientated fishing website on the internet. Their markings typically display a little more random pattern, maybe more akin to a black crappie. Sep 24, 2010 it is an unarguable fact when bream are bedding, the fish are biting. Redear sunfish, which are kissing cousins to the bluegill, are commonly stocked with bluegill in most new ponds.

The following article is a must read, and will give you the insight you need for. The shape and size of their bodies, mouths and fins are similar to bluegill. On a good spawning ground, even a neophyte angler can catch fish like an old pro. The redear sunfish is deep and slabsided, with a small mouth, the upper jaw not reaching past the front of the eye. Lead head colors which i have found to be successful are flo red and chartreuse. Carolina fish hatchery produce live fish for lake and pond stocking in nc, sc, and va. Shellcracker fishing during the midsummer months after the first shellcracker spawning rush has diminished. The ear flap is black with a whitish border and a prominent orange or red spot. It is an unarguable fact when bream are bedding, the fish are biting. They have a small mouth, and their ear flaps have a white rim surrounding them with a red orange spot on tip, giving the redear sunfish their name. To crack hard shells, redears have specially modified teeth in their throat and is how the red ear received the name shell cracker. Pending worldrecord redear sunfish plucked from lake. When eating snails, the shell is completely crushed and most of it is expelled from the mouth. Redear sunfish are caught most often on earthworms around.

Most redear are caught during spawning season by fishing with red worms on the bottom. Two nice redear sunfish caught on barkley lake both over 2 pounds. Redears arent afraid to think outside the box, reproductively. Redear bream, are often referred to as shellcracker, because of their preference for snails. Carolina fish offers farm direct prices, delivery and pond stocking recomendations. I spend a lot of my lunch breaks fishing a small storm drain adjacent to a wooden dock behind my house, but the usual bass and bluegill targets took a backseat to the unexpected appearance of bedding shellcracker. Redear will typically spawn a month earlier than bluegill. All fishing buy, all about redear sunfish, habitats.

The redear, or shell cracker as it is called in the southern us, has generally the same shape and coloration as the bluegill except for the ear flap which has a. Redear sunfish lepomis microlophus texas parks and wildlife. Redear sunfish shellcracker typically begin spawning about one month before bluegill. It made me start wondering if lake conway or any other central arkansas lakes have any red ear in them or good places to go. Gamefish redear sunfish shellcracker gamefish 1 to 3 size. They have grinding pharyngeal teeth in their throat that enable them to crush the shells of little snails and small mussels. I like to catch plenty of fish that fight hard, test my. I like to catch plenty of fish that fight hard, test my tackle and my angling skills and taste delicious when i eat them. Fishing for shellcrackers panfish rambling angler outdoors. However, insect larvae and cladocerans may also be found in.

Their mouth is slightly downturned in relationship to its bluegill cousins. Shellcracker fishing tips sheelcracker fishing florida. Redear sunfish are identified primarily by their redfringed ear tab. The nickname of the redear sunfish, shellcracker, comes from its. In south florida, shellcracker may spawn as early as the last week of february but more likely around the fourth week of march. Shellcracker fishing catching huge monster slabs youtube. According to the arizona game and fish department, a pending worldrecord redear sunfish was hauled out of lake havasu, weighing in at a whopping 5. The name shellcracker was derived from the ability of this fish to capture and eat snails, clams, small mussels and other mollusks. Redear sunfish, sometimes called shellcracker, feed on aquatic insects, snails, small fish and other small aquatic animals. Ive been wanting to put together a bluegillshellcracker trip to lbl for the past three or so years and have never really had the time or money to do so. These characteristics describe the shellcracker redear sunfish with its nicknames of. Members of the centrachidae sunfish family, the redear sunfish is also referred to as the shellcracker.

The following article is a must read, and will give you the insight you need for your next pond management decision. View profile view forum posts private message view articles legend join date dec 2009 location illinois posts 9,952 post thanks like. I went fishing for shellcracker at clarks hill the week after easter last year. Redears also feed on nymphs and other aquatic insects. Redear sunfish are also called shellcracker, georgia bream, cherry gill, chinquapin, improved bream, rouge ear sunfish and sun perch. This gaming fish is similar in appearance to the bluegill relative but typically is found to be darker in color and larger in size.

However, insect larvae and cladocerans may also be found in their diet. We would anchor the boat, put a gob of red wigglers on the hook and cast out about six different outfits, put them in rod. The redear sunfish lepomis microlophus, also known as the shellcracker, georgia bream, cherry gill, chinquapin, improved bream, rouge ear sunfish and sun. They have a small mouth, and their ear flaps have a white rim surrounding them with a. Shellcracker grow larger than bluegill, with fish over 1 pound common. Gamefish redear sunfish shellcracker gamefish 1 to 3. Most bluegill are considered large if they approach the eightinch mark. Redear look different from bluegill, and they also have their own unique behavioral characteristics which we will discuss. Redear sunfish, or shellcrackers, are giants of the sunfish clan. The redear is similar in shape to the bluegill, but lacks the dark spot at the base of the posterior portion of the dorsal fin and has a red or orange border around the ear flap. Live fish for pond stocking in nc, sc, and va, carolina. It is spooled with 6pound line and a few baits, according to the mood of the fish.

From this habit they get their common name, shellcracker. Pending worldrecord redear sunfish plucked from lake havasu. The world record, a 5pound 7ounce specimen, was hauled from santeecooper, south carolina. Newly hatched red ear eat algae and micro crustaceans, mature fish eat plankton, insects, snails, and an occasional small fish. Newly hatched redear eat algae and micro crustaceans, mature fish eat plankton, insects, snails, and an occasional small fish. Aug 31, 2017 always seal your fish with basecoat sealer before painting. Redear sunfish are mostly known by the red trim along the opercular gill flap. My second choice is a 64 to 32 ounce hair jig tipped with a wax worm.

Redear have blunted molaform teeth that allow them to crack the shell. Register and i will offer you a free decal plus a lot less ads too. They will also refuse a popping bug, but will eat a sinking fly such as a beadhead nymph or a black knat. Shellcrackers growth rate will average a 14 pound per season and only a few will survive more than six summers.

Mar 31, 2017 i went fishing for shellcracker at clarks hill the week after easter last year. Big shellcracker redear sunfish fishing with 1 lb line and. Since it is a popular sport fish, it has been introduced to bodies of water all over north america. They use the flattened throat teeth to crush the shells of snails and freshwater clams. They have a special set teeth in their throat that allows them to grind up snail shells. Jun 16, 2014 getting ready for redear bluegills get more press, but the redear sunfish, commonly called a shellcracker in the south, is king of the sunfish clan. The red ear are hugging very close to the trees and the bank. Spawning redear can easily attain sizes of 1 to 2 pounds in lakes with an. Recent examples on the web live crickets on a dead drift are shellcracker candy, but small safetypin spinners can help pull boss bream out of the brush. The distinct red gill flap separates them from bluegill and usually theyre larger and somewhat longer. Redear sunfish have a dark olive compressed body, fading to light green and silver on the sides with dark spots and sometimes stripes, often seen on younger fish. Aug 09, 2008 redear sunfish are identified primarily by their red fringed ear tab.