UTERRedear sunfish fishing in Florida freshwater
In Florida freshwater, redear sunfish peak March–June and are around year-round, spawning in April–May, according to Fish Scouter's month-by-month season calendar. March: Shellcracker beds start around the full moon — Lake Panasoffkee and the Harris chain.
No note for October — see the months around it.
Redear sunfish in Florida freshwater, month by month
- JanuaryAround
- FebruaryArriving
- MarchPeakShellcracker beds start around the full moon — Lake Panasoffkee and the Harris chain.
- AprilSpawningPeak bedding; red worms on the shell bottom.
- MaySpawningSecond full-moon spawn.
- JunePeak
- JulyAround
- AugustAround
- SeptemberAround
- OctoberAround
- NovemberAround
- DecemberAround
Where to fish redear 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 redear sunfish
- NightcrawlersWhole on a #6 to #2 hook under a bobber or on a bottom rig; threaded on a spinner harness drifted for walleye. The bait that catches everything in fresh water.
- 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 50–90°F water, best at 68–80°F.
Questions anglers ask
When is the best time to catch redear sunfish in Florida freshwater?
Peak season is March–June, with fish spawning in April–May (often a closed or catch-and-release window — check the rule). Redear sunfish are here year-round. March: Shellcracker beds start around the full moon — Lake Panasoffkee and the Harris chain.
Where do redear sunfish hold in Florida freshwater?
Look on lake, pond / pit, canal, spring — around Lake Okeechobee, Kissimmee chain, St. Johns River, Harris chain, Lake Istokpoga, Miami-Dade canals.
What is the best bait for redear sunfish in Florida freshwater?
Live bait: nightcrawlers, grass shrimp. Nightcrawlers: Whole on a #6 to #2 hook under a bobber or on a bottom rig; threaded on a spinner harness drifted for walleye. The bait that catches everything in fresh water. 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 redear 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 redear sunfish · Florida fresh water, the whole year