The Shellcrackers

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Comment by Zig on October 16, 2008 at 7:03am

I'm joining now........................someday I'll catch one.

Comment by Alex G. on October 16, 2008 at 6:45am

Holy Red Ear!!!!! Musky Mod, that is a beauty!!!

Bruce, I know what I know only because of groups like this, and asking the experts such as yourself and Daryl!!!!!

Comment by Bill "Musky" Modica on October 15, 2008 at 8:47pm

Hello to the Shellcraker clan......I love fishing for Redears close to home in northern Illinois.....I have a 3 lake chain in my area that produces very nice fish, some over 10"

Comment by Bruce Condello on October 15, 2008 at 7:12pm

You're right, Alex. Nebraska is in the northernmost range for redear sunfish. The reason they do better in some Nebraska waters is that water is heaviest at 39 degrees, and the redear can settle into this warmer water given that it has ample oxygen. Redears seem to be right on the edge in 40 degree water. If they have to go into 33 or 34 degree water to chase the last remnants of oxygen they're in big trouble.

I almost caught a really nice one today. I had it all the way to the dock and it was a solid 3/4 pound fish. I wanted a picture SOOOO bad!

Comment by Alex G. on October 15, 2008 at 7:05pm

I'm a big fan of RES!!!! They are a very special treat in Nebraska. To my knowledge (Bruce, please correct me if I'm wrong, it's been known to happen). RES do not occur on there own in MOST of the bodies of water in Nebraska. If a Red Ear is caught around here they are stocked fish by the Nebraska Game and Parks.... As I understand it the water just gets too cold.

There was a lake within 30 minutes of my house that had a decent population of RES, and decent size for around here too. But it suffered a major fish kill last year after going through a big oxegen sag after a storm.
I've only caught two this year.

Here is one My brother-in-law caught last year prior to the kill, and one I caught last year prior to the kill.

Comment by Kelly Nobles on October 15, 2008 at 5:18pm

How about some fall techniques and ideas for these monsters.....I know the big females are starting to school up here and hold in some holes in the river....gotta love the Aqua-Vu!!

Comment by Bruce Condello on October 15, 2008 at 4:22pm

Eggman, the fish in your picture is what I would call a shellcracker.

Comment by David Merical on October 15, 2008 at 2:46pm

I think I've caught redear, but I don't have any photographic evidence to prove it. Certainly I haven't caught one in the last 7 years.
There is a lake within an hour or so drive of here that the DNR and other anglers I've talked to swear that it has bluegills and/or redears in the 12" range. I haven't gone down to give it a try yet. I may have to put it on my "must do" list for next year. Can anybody tell me if redears are often caught while ice-fishing? Or what water temps they spawn? Do they spawn in shallow areas like bluegills do, or something different? What baits work best?

Comment by Eggman on October 15, 2008 at 1:54pm

Just wondering...would you call the fish on my profile picture a "shellcracker"?
I catch quite a few of these around here!

Comment by Jr Branham on September 2, 2008 at 12:53am

Kelly, make room for me at the river!!

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