Redbreast Sunfish

1/32 to 1/16 ounce jigs with tubes or grubs in natural colors, small spinners (particularly 1/16 ounce Rooster Tail in natural patterns), tiny crankbaits, and spinner bucktails. For bait fishing, try small earthworms, red worms, crickets, or grasshoppers on size 6-8 thin wire long shank hooks under a bobber.

Small nymphs work best - tie narrow profile patterns in bright colors on longer shank hooks (size 12-14) for easier removal from their small mouths. Effective patterns include small beadhead nymphs, prince nymphs, and pheasant tails.

Spring and fall are the prime times for targeting redbreast sunfish in Maryland, though they remain active throughout summer.

Fish dead drift presentations rather than moving lures, as sunfish rarely bite moving baits. When they become inactive, jig lures then let them sit still. For bait fishing, use small earthworms, red worms, crickets, or grasshoppers on size 6-8 thin wire long shank hooks under a bobber.

Redbreast sunfish are opportunistic feeders with a more varied diet than other sunfish, consuming aquatic insects (especially mayflies, dragonfly larvae, and chironomids), terrestrial insects, snails, small crayfish, clams, and occasionally small fish.