Steve I generally observe that females have more yellow/cream sides and bottom and are lighter than males, which are typically have more black checkering on the sides. Also the red margin on the opercular tab seems to be deeper, darker in color on males than females where it's lighter and maybe more light orange than dark red. Sexing younger fish out of spawning season for me personally is kinda a crap shoot.
Excellent post!
Holding a redear sunfish is like running with scissors.
