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Redear Sunfish

Redear Sunfish

Redear Sunfish are native to North Carolina's Atlantic slope waters and are abundant throughout the state except in cold mountain waters.

They're specialized molluscivores commonly called 'shellcrackers' and are true warmwater fish with zero tolerance for cold water.

Scientific Name: Lepomis microlophus

Also known as shellcrackers

Physical Characteristics:
  • Deep, slab-sided fish distinguished by their red or orange ear flap edge, with light green-to-gold sides speckled with red or orange flecks and a yellowish-orange belly.
  • Unlike other sunfish, they lack blue lines on their cheeks.
  • Commonly reaching 1-2 pounds with maximum sizes up to 17 inches and 6+ pounds.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Native to North Carolina's Atlantic slope waters, abundant throughout the state except in cold mountain waters.
  • Prefer warm, quiet waters in lakes, ponds, streams, and reservoirs.

Key Locations

  • Northeastern Coastal Plain's Roanoke, Chowan, and Meherrin rivers for 2-pound fish, the Tar River from Rocky Mount to Grimesland for trophy-sized redears, the Neuse River upstream of New Bern, the northeast Cape Fear River from Lane's Ferry to Castle Hayne, and the Black River through Sampson and Pender counties.
  • In the Piedmont: Lake Tillery along the Stanly-Montgomery county line and Lake Holt in Granville County.

Specific Spots

  • Near logs and vegetation, typically staying in deeper water than other sunfish except when spawning.
  • Fish 8-15 foot depths around structure, vegetation, and drop-offs.

Redear Sunfish FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

What are the best lures and bait for Redear Sunfish in North Carolina?

Natural baits: earthworms, grubs, nightcrawlers, crickets, grass shrimp, and small pieces of worm. Artificials: small spinners, tiny jigs tipped with live bait, small hair jigs with squirrel or arctic fox, Trout Magnet jigs, small plastic grubs.

What flies work for Redear Sunfish in North Carolina?

Sizes #6-#8 flies including triangle bugs, wet flies, small poppers, bucktails, Foam Ants, and Micro Chubby Chernobyls with rubber legs. Heavy-weighted flies or use sinking lines.

When is the best time to fish for Redear Sunfish in North Carolina?

Early spring when they concentrate on spawning beds (but avoid actual spawning period). Spawn in late spring to early summer. Best fishing during warm months with optimal water temperatures in the mid-70s range.

How do you catch Redear Sunfish in North Carolina?

Bottom presentations, fish 8-15 foot depths around structure, vegetation, and drop-offs. Bottom-fished flies for fly fishing.

What do Redear Sunfish eat?

Specialized molluscivores with pharyngeal teeth that crush snails and clams, but also feed opportunistically on midge larvae, mayfly and dragonfly nymphs, fish e.g.gs, crayfish, ostracods, amphipods, chironomid larvae, and small fish.

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