Here is a short summary of the history of redear sunfish in southern lower Michigan.
http://www.michigandnr.com/publications/pdfs/ifr/ifrlibra/technical/reports/2003-3tr.pdfThis is from MRHELLO: "We used to have a city lake we could fish that was full of RES. The bait of choice there were small crawfish (1-2 inch). This was a little trick an older gentleman had been using for years at this lake and let us in on it. I only made it one time with my dad and it was some of the best fishing I had."
CJBS provides this: "Live crickets seem to be a top bait for them. Grass shrimp if available also works amazing for them. Fish structure close to the bottom."
Information about growing some RES from small ones to 9" inside in a fish tank.
http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=378500&#Post378500CJBS provided this summary of the Pros and Cons of several of the sunfishes.
All sunfish prefer water temps that reach well into the 70's or even 80's for proper growth. If your pond stays cool enough to support RBT year round, it likely wouldn't produce desired results for any sunfish species.
As far as aggressiveness, the common species of sunfish in order of aggressiveness:
HBG
GSF*
BG
RES
*Some consider the GSF more aggressive than the HBG.
RES would be the best choice for not having to worry about them nipping at swimmers. The other species are likely to nip depending on fish density and spawn season.
As far as pros and cons on each one:
HBG(BGxGSF): aggressive biters, excellent for use in a put and take fishery, 95% or so male, so limited reproduction. Limited reproduction means they are poor choice to use as a forage base, subsequent generations(F2, F3, etc) are likely to produce less than desirable offspring. Quick initial growth rates to a bit over 1 pound, but rarely go over 1.5 pounds.
GSF: aggressive, large mouth compared to other species, more fusiform shape so they make good bass forage, tend to be out competed in a healthy LMB/BG pond. Can compete with juvenile bass for food sources. Tendency to stunt in poor conditions. Rarely reaches 1 pound or 10".
BG: Very prolific and make excellent forage for LMB, often the back bone of the forage bass in most LMB ponds. If managed correctly, can easily reach 1 pound, regularly reach 1.5 pounds and rarely reach 2 pounds. If not managed with LMB or another high intensity management program, can stunt and over populate because of their prolific nature.
RES: Not prolific, difficult to catch outside of spawning season, commonly grow to 1 pound in ponds with 2 pound fish not unheard of and a rare 3 pound fish possible. Require warmer water than other sunfish species often dying in winter, especially in smaller ponds where temperatures can swing quickly. Fill a slightly different niche than BG and thus do not completely compete with them for food resources. Have specialized teeth(pharyngeal plates)in their throat to crush shells of snails, clams and other hard shelled organisms. This allows them to feed on items other sunfish cannot. Difficult to pellet train and thus mostly have to have them rely on natural feed.
More links to RES some may be duplicates:
