Bluegill - Big Bluegill

Do you love big bluegill?

If I could remember the lake or pond where I caught them I would have a better idea. That's what happens when your memory starts going. lol

I'm sure this is a bluegill because I caught it in a Michigan lake.


This fish was taken in Alabama but I can't remember where, One of the ponds I fished has both copper nose and regular bluegills. It is however darker than most bluegills. What do you think?


This fish came from down south and I'm pretty sure it is a shellcracker and I think you will confirm that.


I'm not sure about this one, but I suspect it is a copper nose. I think it came from Georgia.


Anyway it was something to do on a cool rainy day. My river is almost over its banks after the last 3 day warm up and most of the snow is gone too. Snow is in the forcast for tonight. Cabin fever!

On the positive side, the high water will draw the steelhead up. The river is closed until April 1st, but that isn't far away.

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1. Standard bluegill--dominant younger male, probably currently nest guarding.

2. Standard bluegill--dominant older male, not currently nest guarding.

3. Redear sunfish (shellcracker)--female

4. Standard bluegill X coppernose bluegill hybrid--male. Seems to have mostly standard characteristics, however appears to have the white fin fringe of CNBG.

Just guesses. Anybody else?
bruce hit the nail on the head 100 percent
I agree with you Bruce
Casey
I don't believe #3 is a shellcracker due to the lack of mottling in the facial area....possibly BGxPS cross
Whats a PS?
Pumpkin Seed, I think.
Just for the heck of it, here's a photo of a purebred RES caught on my farm.

This is another picture of the same fish. Looks like the one in your picture Bruce except the gill flap on yours is red and kind of yellow on mine. Could be a cross, but since I haven't caught as many as you guys, I'll leave it up to you. The fish is about 12" if that helps.

Good photo. There's a lot of variability in eartab coloration on pure redears. I strongly suspect a pure female redear, but oftentimes you can get fish that are hybrids that strongly resemble one of the parent species, or you can get a fish that has maybe 1/16 or 1/32 of a particular parent----it's very hard to tell, and truly a guessing game. It's fun, but difficult to prove either way.
This pic is much more defining.....female RES.
ray that is a female chink for sure,and good eaten too.






gators are ugly
Very helpful, so much in fact, I have a couple more. This is just a guess, but I think this fish is a green sunfish?


This fish I caught in southern Flordia. I'm saying it's a bluegill, but the southern fish seem to be darker than the bluegills in Michigan. Are they a different strain?

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