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Flier

Flier

The Flier is a small, deep-bodied sunfish that inhabits Alabama's lowland waters primarily in Coastal Plain areas below the Fall Line.

In Alabama, fliers occur sporadically and are rarely abundant, found primarily in collections below the Fall Line with only two exceptions from above the Fall Line in the Coosa River system.

Scientific Name: Centrarchus macropterus

Physical Characteristics:
  • These compressed sunfish have large dorsal and anal fins that are nearly equal in size, with olive green backs grading to pale yellow on the belly and sides marked with several rows of brown spots.
  • Young fliers display a prominent black spot surrounded by an orange circle in their dorsal fin rays, which typically disappears with age.
  • Adult fliers reach 5-7 inches in length.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • They inhabit swamps, oxbow lakes, overflow pools, and slow-moving creeks, preferring heavily vegetated waters.

Key Locations

  • Alabama's Coastal Plain areas below the Fall Line, with some populations present in the Coosa River system.

Specific Spots

  • Focus on heavily vegetated swamps, oxbow lakes, overflow pools, and slow-moving creeks.
  • Key locations include areas around cypress trees and stumps, near brush piles, submerged tree roots, floating vegetation mats, and concentrations of rotting organic matter.
  • Fish the mouths of small creeks and canals where they feed opportunistically.
  • Target areas with submerged woody debris and undercut banks where fine roots enter the water.

Flier FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Flier in Alabama?

Live bait options include small worms, insect larvae, and small minnows presented around vegetation edges and structure.

What flies work for Flier in Alabama?

Since fliers are surface feeders that consume terrestrial insects, use small dry flies, tiny poppers, and surface presentations during active feeding periods. Small wet flies and nymphs work well fished slowly.

How do you catch Flier in Alabama?

Present baits and lures slowly and deliberately since fliers tend to be methodical in their feeding behavior. Use surface presentations during active feeding periods. Fish slowly due to their preference for aquatic insects and crustaceans.

What do Flier eat?

They are carnivorous surface feeders, consuming terrestrial insects, aquatic insects, crustaceans, mollusks, worms, leeches, and small fish supplemented with small quantities of phytoplankton.

Where do Flier live in Alabama?

They inhabit swamps, oxbow lakes, overflow pools, and slow-moving creeks, preferring heavily vegetated waters.

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