I know BG x PS (Pumpkingill) do not exhibit the PS red/orange spot on the flap.
au contraire. I have a picture on my phone of a BGxPS caught in Lake Minocqua that has the red dot and no RES live in or anywhere near that BOW.
I am editing my post to not let the cat out of the bag for any proprietary information.
But, here is a thought. Think about what species of Sunfish are readily available in the South, and can be sold over most of the USA, or areas that Malone services.