Redbreast Sunfish

The redbreast sunfish is an excellent panfish and a scrappy fighter.

 

HOW TO IDENTIFY A REDBREAST SUNFISH

The belly, or ventral surface, ranges in color from yellow to orange-red or crimson red and the ear lobe (a lobe or flat on the gill cover) is usually long and narrow. In adult males of this species the lobe is actually longer than in the longear sunfish. The two species are readily distinguished by the fact that the gill cover lobe of the redbreast sunfish is completely black (or blue-black) all the way to the tip and is narrower than the eyes. The lobe of the longear sunfish is much wider and is bordered by a thin margin of pale red or yellow around the black. The pectoral fins of both species are short and roundish as compared to the longer, pointed pectoral fins of redear sunfish, and the opercular flaps are softer and more flexible than the rigid flaps of species such as the pumpkinseed sunfish.

 

WHERE TO CATCH REDBREAST SUNFISH

The redbreast sunfish is native to the east coast of North America from Maine, south along the Atlantic slope, east of the Appalachians, to about central Florida, but only as far as west in the Florida panhandle as the Apalachicola River. It has been introduced into nearby states. The following list includes additional details on where to catch this fish:

 

 

CLIFFS AND STEEP SHORE BANKS           GRADUAL SHORES

INLETS AND OUTLETS                                     ISLANDS OR SAND BARS

OPEN WATER                                      PIERS, DOCKS AND PILINGS

ROCKS                                                SPRING HOLES

WALKWAYS AND BRIDGES                     FRESHWATER LAKES AND PONDS

HOLES                                                INSIDE TURNS AND COVES

LILY PADS                                                     OVERHANGING TREES AND BUSHES

POINTS AND BREAK LINES                     SHORELINE SHALLOWS

SUNKEN OBJECTS                                          FRESHWATER WEED BEDS

 

HOW TO CATCH REDBREAST SUNFISH

It can be caught with baits or lures. It can even be taken at night. The following are fishing methods used to catch this fish:

 

DRIFT FISHING                                              TROLLING

FLY FISHING                                        STILL FISHING

 

REDBREAST SUNFISH LURES, TACKLE & BAIT

The following are lures, tackle or bait that can be used to catch this fish:

 

BREAD OR DOUGH BALLS                      INSECTS

MINNOWS                                                    FLIES

JIGS