The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks highlighted the redear sunfish, commonly known as the ‘shellcracker,’ in its Fish Fact Friday series.
Redear sunfish get their nickname from their diet, which includes snails, clams, and other hard-shelled creatures. They use specialized teeth in their throat to crush their prey. These fish are distinguishable by a red or orange edge on their ear flap, a feature that gives the redear its name.
They prefer quiet, clear waters with abundant vegetation and structures. Redear sunfish typically grow larger than other sunfish in the same waters, sometimes exceeding one pound.
The department advises anglers targeting redear to fish on the bottom with natural bait like worms or grubs, as they are less likely to chase artificial lures. More information about redear sunfish is available on the department’s website.
