Redbreast Sunfish

Live baits include small earthworms, redworms, crickets, grasshoppers, waxworms, and small leeches (under 1 inch). Small spinners, jigs, and soft plastics that imitate invertebrates are effective lures.

Use small wet flies, nymph patterns, spider mimics (chartreuse wet-fly spider mimics on size 10 hooks work well), scud patterns, and midge flies that imitate freshwater shrimp, baby crawfish, and insect larvae. Popping bugs work for surface action, though redbreasts don't hit topwater as readily as bluegills.

Spring and fall when they're most active, with spring being particularly productive before and after spawning. Fish deeper water during summer heat and winter. During mayfly hatches from late March through early November.

Jigging, bait-casting, still fishing, and drop-shot rigs. Kayak or canoe fishing allows access to productive river spots, and wading provides better casting angles around structure. Match the hatch with appropriate fly patterns during mayfly hatches.

Redbreast Sunfish have the most varied diet of all sunfishes, feeding as opportunistic invertivores on mayflies, dragonfly larvae, terrestrial insects, small crayfish, snails, clams, small fish, and freshwater shrimp. Unlike other sunfish, they readily feed at night.