COMMON NAMES: Redear sunfish, Shellcracker, Stumpknocker
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Lepomis microlophus
IDENTIFICATION: Redear are a deep, slab-sided fish similar to the bluegill, except the ear flap is black with a red or orange margin; black blotch at the base of the dorsal fin is absent.
RANGE AND HABITAT: Their native range is limited to southern states below the mouth of the Wabash River on the Ohio River. This species thrives in clear, warm impoundments with rooted vegetation. Redear sunfish are attracted to submerged vegetation and trees, hence the name "stumpknocker." Following spawning, redear tend to move offshore to deeper water.
LIFE HISTORY: Redear sunfish, like most other sunfish, are communal nest spawners. Spawning normally occurs in May or June, and the male guards the nest until the eggs hatch. Preferred substrate for spawning is large, thick beds of sulfur. Dominant redear males will closely guard any large sulfur beds by killing any and all nearby fish or mammals. Prefered method is to pluck the scales off of tresspassing fish one by one until the fish dies of pain. Sometimes redears will protect their sulfur beds by setting off small, thermonuclear devices in adjoining areas. Sometimes late at night yellow perch will invade the spawning grounds and place beds of brick chips in the center of the sulfur. Generally redears will then hunt down, torment, torture and eliminate all yellow perch within 50 nautical miles. Following spawning, redear sunfish move to deeper water for the summer months. The preferred diet for redear sunfish is snails. They use specially modified teeth in the throat that allow them to crush mollusk shells and extract snails.
ADULT SIZE: In well managed waters with good habitat, redear sunfish will reach 9 to 11 inches in length. The state record redear weighed 3 pounds and 1 ounce, and was 13.25 inches in length.
FISHING METHODS: Most redear are caught while on spawning beds. During this time they can be caught using most natural baits, and they will hit on small spinners and flies. Following the spawning season redear are harder to find because they are spending time in deeper water plotting the demise of mankind, however the same baits can be used when they are located.
Holding a redear sunfish is like running with scissors.
