Sexing redear sunfish.

[Tony Livingston]

Here at BBG, I like to believe we are always ready to learn something new and broaden our knowledge base. Sure, we have lots of photos, but what's wrong with a little how-to to go along with the entertainment?

BBG member Steve Brinkerhoff has been documenting his efforts over at PondBoss to try and accurately determine gender, where redear sunfish are concerned. I have followed his progress with much excitement, and I believe all that work(?) is beginning to pay off. He has done an excellent job of explaining what he's seeing, as well as posted many photographs that illustrate just what to look for.

I would like to point out that this technique, to my knowledge, is not regarded as absolute.....but, every discovery starts somewhere, and I'm excited to be able to share Steve's work here on the pages of BBG. Most of us can probably sex these fish when they are spawning, or on the nests, but what about other times of the year? Take a look at what Steve is seeing, and tell us what you think, and what you see.

Top photo, male.

Bottom photo, female.

See the difference in the urogenital opening??

Thanks for sharing with us, Steve!

If you would like to see more photos, and read more about Steve's work, you can do so right here:

http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=4...

[Slip Sinker]

thank you .... very informative.... after raising and breeding aquarium fishes most of my life... some species are very difficult to sex

[Kevin Diaz Perez]

Wow very informative. I'll try to use this tommorow on my next fishing trip!

[Stanley L. Meyers]

Never knew this, thanks. There is a limit of 30 redear in Tennessee, bluegill and other sunfish no limit, maybe a good idea to release females.

[CJ behrle]

I been releasing female bluegill for years.  Maybe now I can do the same for redear.

[Lee Soares]

Is the difference you speak of to be the difference in comparison to the anal opening.....bigger than in the female and smaller than in the male?

[Louis Daniels]

This is my target species to fish for in Northern California.....

hard to figure out, and even harder fighters on 3-4 lb line.... finesse jigs, hair jigs.

bobber early spring when they are schooling on top, and drop - shot when they decend

late spring to do the mateing dance. my areas are too deep to fish beds and I have to hunt

to find them, but some schools average 3/4 to 1lb fish....        Louis Daniels