Redbreast Sunfish

Productive baits include crickets, grasshoppers, waxworms, nightcrawlers, and mealworms fished under small floats. Small spinners, jigs, and flies that imitate aquatic invertebrates are effective.

Use small patterns including size 12-14 beadhead nymphs, small buggers (size 12 beadhead in chartreuse/white or black), Micro Chubby Chernobyls with rubber legs, and Foam Ants. Effective nymph patterns include narrow-profile flies in bright colors tied on longer shank hooks for easier hook removal.

Prime fishing occurs in spring and summer when Redbreast Sunfish are most active, with excellent action during late spring through early summer. During spawning between May and July, avoid targeting them as males are actively guarding e.g.gs and fry until they hatch.

Fish dead drift under indicators, and when they become inactive, jig lures then let them sit motionless to trigger strikes. Use a tandem rig with a larger bass fly as weight and a small sunfish nymph as dropper about a foot behind. For small poppers, use minimal action - just enough to make rubber legs wiggle.

Virginia's Redbreast Sunfish are opportunistic feeders with a diverse diet including benthic macroinvertebrates (71-83% of diet based on Shenandoah River studies), small mollusks, crustaceans, small fish, and terrestrial insects.