UTERRedbreast sunfish fishing in Florida freshwater
In Florida freshwater, redbreast sunfish peak April–August and are around year-round, spawning in May–June, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. April: Santa Fe and Suwannee redbreast.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Redbreast sunfish in Florida freshwater, month by month
- JanuaryAround
- FebruaryAround
- MarchArriving
- AprilPeakSanta Fe and Suwannee redbreast.
- MaySpawning
- JuneSpawning
- JulyPeak
- AugustPeak
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberAround
- NovemberAround
- DecemberAround
Where to fish redbreast sunfish near Lake Okeechobee, Kissimmee chain, St. Johns River
The bass capital: Okeechobee, the Kissimmee chain and the phosphate pits for trophy Florida-strain largemouth, the St. Johns for shad and specks, the spring-fed rivers of the north, and South Florida's canals full of peacocks and exotic cichlids.
What to use for redbreast sunfish
- Grass shrimpTwo or three on a #6 hook under a small cork — the bream, crappie, sheepshead and mangrove snapper bait nobody sells.
- Leader10–20 lb fluorocarbon
- Hook#2–3/0
- Jig head1/8–1/2 oz
- Braid10–30 lb
Feeds in 48–88°F water, best at 65–80°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch redbreast sunfish in Florida freshwater?
Peak season is April–August, with fish spawning in May–June (often a closed or catch-and-release window — check the rule). Redbreast sunfish are here year-round. April: Santa Fe and Suwannee redbreast.
Where do redbreast sunfish hold in Florida freshwater?
Look on river, creek / stream, spring — around Lake Okeechobee, Kissimmee chain, St. Johns River, Harris chain, Lake Istokpoga, Miami-Dade canals.
What is the best bait for redbreast sunfish in Florida freshwater?
Live bait: grass shrimp. Grass shrimp: Two or three on a #6 hook under a small cork — the bream, crappie, sheepshead and mangrove snapper bait nobody sells. Tackle: leader 10–20 lb fluorocarbon, hook #2–3/0, jig head 1/8–1/2 oz, braid 10–30 lb.
What are the rules for redbreast sunfish in Florida freshwater?
Size and bag limits and closed seasons are set by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and change — read the current rule at https://myfwc.com/fishing/freshwater/regulations/ before you keep a fish. A licence is sold at https://myfwc.com/license/recreational/.
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All about redbreast sunfish · Florida fresh water, the whole year