Redear Sunfish
Appearance:
Redear sunfish are also known as shellcrackers. They have a bright red mark on the back edge of the gill cover that is very distinctive.
Habitat:
Redear prefer hard bottoms, congregating in deeper water than bluegill.
Behavior:
They prefer snails and clams, giving them their common nickname. Shellcracker grow larger than bluegill, with fish over 1 pound common.
State Record:
4.86 lbs. Big Catch: 11 inches or 1.25 lbs.
Fishing Tips:
Redear sunfish are caught most often on earthworms around the full moons of March and April when their spawning activity peaks.