Skip to main content

Redear Sunfish

Redear Sunfish

Redear Sunfish are native to South Carolina and found statewide in all warm water habitats. Known locally as "shellcrackers" due to their specialized pharyngeal teeth that crush mollusk shells.

They're the largest and fastest-growing sunfish species and less prone to overpopulation than other sunfish.

Scientific Name: Lepomis microlophus

Also known as shellcrackers

Physical Characteristics:
  • Distinguished by their laterally compressed olive-green body with iridescent gold-green sheen, brown spots along the sides, and distinctive red or orange-tipped operculum (gill flap).
  • Males display brighter red coloration while females show orange tones.
  • Averaging 6-10 inches and 4-8 ounces, often reaching 2+ pounds.

What to know

Habitat Distribution

  • Found statewide in all warm water habitats.
  • They prefer slow-moving or still waters with vegetation over mud or sand bottoms, inhabiting ponds, lakes, reservoirs, swamps, streams, and small rivers throughout South Carolina.

Key Locations

  • Lake Murray with its 48,000 acres supporting diverse sunfish populations, Lancaster Reservoir offering quality redear fishing, and various coastal plain waters.

Specific Spots

  • Fish deep structure like stumps, logs, and vegetated areas over mud or sand bottoms.
  • Focus on deeper waters (20-35 feet) where schools often hold, especially around shell beds.
  • Shallow nesting areas during spawning in 6 inches to several feet of water.

Redear Sunfish FAQ

Answers from onWater's species guide.

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

Natural baits are most effective: earthworms, red wigglers, crickets, grass shrimp, and small pieces of nightcrawler. Small spinners, tiny jigs (especially hair jigs tipped with worms).

What flies work for Redear Sunfish in South Carolina?

Small sinking patterns, nymphs, or subsurface flies since redear rarely surface feed.

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

Late spring to early summer when water temperatures reach 70-74°F for spawning season targeting. Post-spawn fishing remains productive.

How do you catch Redear Sunfish in South Carolina?

Use bottom-fishing techniques, dragging small baits along the substrate where they feed. Target areas near vegetation and structure, particularly around submerged hardcover during spawning periods.

What do Redear Sunfish eat?

These bottom feeders primarily consume mussels, snails, and insect larvae, using their unique throat teeth to crack shells.

Fish smarter with real-time insights

Whether you're en route and conditions shift or you're looking for the best spot based on current flows, we enable you to make informed decisions on the fly.

See it in the app

Most maps show you water.
onWater shows you Redear Sunfish.

  1. 01 · Species map filter

    Map every Redear Sunfish water

    Pick Redear Sunfish and the map zeroes in on the waters they call home. No more guessing which lake holds them.

  2. 02 · Waterbody species

    Tap any water. See what lives there.

    Species, behavior and seasonal patterns for every lake, river and pond, before you leave the driveway.

  3. 03 · Angler Intelligence

    Ask how to catch Redear Sunfish

    Tactics, gear and timing from onWater's AI fishing guide, tuned to the species and the water you're on.

Stop guessing where Redear Sunfish are.

Open the map, filter by Redear Sunfish, and head to water that holds them. Download onWater and plan your next trip in minutes.

  • Species map filter
  • Angler Intelligence
  • Fishing journal
Try onWater+ for free

Explore other species

Trout, bass, salmon, panfish and everything in between. Each guide unpacks the behavior, seasons, and tactics that put fish in the net.

No species information available.

South Carolina licenses and regulations

Explore nearby waters

Explore South Carolina waters

Top fishing waters

Popular Cities

Loading popular cities...

Smarter Fishing Starts in the App.

onWater Fish gives you everything you need to plan smarter, fish better, and own every trip from first cast to last.