Thread: My first shell cracker

On the bottom, not near the bottom, ON it.

Nice looking fish, seen pics of 2-3lb fish from out there....and more. Hope you can tangle with some of those!

Originally Posted by Schmoopie

On the bottom, not near the bottom, ON it.

At what depth?

Originally Posted by Just_Bass

At what depth?

I'd say that varies .... but, when spawning, they do nest in slightly deeper water than Bluegill.

According to Google:

They prefer to be near logs and vegetation, and tend to congregate in groups around these features. (likely because of their food preferences)

Redear sunfish, sometimes called shellcracker, feed on aquatic insects, snails, small fish and other small aquatic animals. Because shellcrackers aren't particularly susceptible to lures, most anglers use live bait. Worms, grass shrimp and crickets are probably the top three in popularity, but waxworms, meal worms, leeches, catalpa worms and bits of crayfish tail or mussel meat also get their attention.

Nice redear

They are hidden jewels for sure..... Most in my area don't know they are in that particular lake I've been catchn them.... There's another local lake that I've fished for 20yrs and only a couple years ago I caught one shellcracker and haven't seen another one yet...... Talked to several ole fishermen that's fished that lake 50yrs and they had never heard of someone catchn any there.....

I caught this today, I think I know it is a bluegill but what a color, totally different than others. Now I might have to go out my way (from this lake) to find other sunfish like green or pumpkin seed sunfish.

I think redears are one of the most valuable fish for a body of water to have. Redears will keep the rest of your fish healthy by eating parasite hosting mollusks like snails and clams.