Freshwater

Redear sunfish (shellcracker)

Mojarra oreja roja

Lepomis microlophus

Freshwater

At a glance

Typical size

8–10 in.

Depth

2–10 ft, on the bottom.

Best time

Morning and evening; crappie also bite well at night under lights.

Found in

5 areas

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: Big sunfish with an olive-gold body and a red or orange edge on the black ear flap.
Typical size: 8–10 in.
Maximum size: About 17 in and 5 lb.
Diet: Insects, worms, small crustaceans, snails and tiny fish.
Behavior: Gathers around vegetation, docks, brush piles and stumps; schools tighter in cold water.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from South Florida & Keys, Florida Atlantic Coast, Florida Gulf Coast, Northern Gulf (AL–TX) and Puerto Rico. Lakes, ponds and slow rivers with sand or shell bottom near vegetation.
Habitat: Lakes, ponds and slow rivers with sand or shell bottom near vegetation.
Depth: 2–10 ft, on the bottom.
Fishing depth: 1–12 ft around cover.
Best season: Spring spawn is peak, but they bite all year in Florida.
Best time: Morning and evening; crappie also bite well at night under lights.
Best tides: Not tidal — watch water level and temperature.
Best weather / conditions: Stable weather is best; bites slow right after cold fronts.

What to tie on and what to throw.

The rod, reel, line and lures BigJoe would use.

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Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: Lakes, ponds and slow rivers with sand or shell bottom near vegetation.
Rig up: Ultralight to light spinning rod, 5–7 ft (or a cane pole). None needed.
Pick your bait: Red worms, grass shrimp and crickets. Lures: Small jigs fished on the bottom.
Fish it: Fish worms right on the bottom near spawning beds around the full moon in spring.
Time it: Morning and evening; crappie also bite well at night under lights. Not tidal — watch water level and temperature.

Fishing techniques: Fish worms right on the bottom near spawning beds around the full moon in spring.
BigJoe's tip: Called "shellcracker" because it crushes snails — fish the bottom, not the surface.
Catch and release: Catch and release: wet your hands, keep the fish in the water when you can, and release it quickly. Use circle hooks and a dehooker.

Is it good to eat, and how to prepare it.

Edibility: Excellent eating — one of the best-tasting fish in its range.
Cleaning: Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.
Cooking suggestions: Cook fish to 145°F (63°C) — the flesh turns opaque and flakes easily. Fry, grill, bake or blacken.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Small but sharp dorsal spines — smooth the fin down before grabbing.
Regulations: Counted in Florida's panfish bag limit — check FWC. Also found in Puerto Rico reservoirs. A Florida fishing license is required unless you are exempt; Florida rules are set by FWC (myfwc.com). Federal waters fall under NOAA Fisheries. Other states and countries set their own limits — check before you keep fish.
Conservation: Keep only what you'll eat, release the rest quickly, and follow size and bag limits.

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Sources & photo credits