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The Shellcrackers

If you've caught a redear sunfish, or if you want people to THINK you've caught a redear sunfish, this is the group for you.

Members: 152
Latest Activity: Mar 16, 2023

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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!!
 

Members (152)

 
 
 

Latest Activity

John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
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Spoon Bass

"Thanks Jeff!"
19 hours ago
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
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Rattle Trap Bass

"Yes, the front one at least! What do you suppose happened there ,Jeff?"
20 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
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Rattle Trap Bass

"Another good bass…..his dorsal fin is almost gone completely….."
20 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
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25"+Spoon Pick

"Big chain, very nice!"
20 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
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Spoon Bass

"Nice bass John!"
20 hours ago
Jeffrey D. Abney commented on John Sheehan's photo
20 hours ago
John Sheehan added a discussion to the group Lure History
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Discontinued Lures

Some of my favorites I can't find anymore: Acme Fash King Flutter Spoon, Eppinger Flutter Chuck,…See More
yesterday
John Sheehan posted photos
yesterday
John Sheehan commented on John Sheehan's photo
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25"+Spoon Pick

"25+inch Pickerel was best of the 13 Fish caught today a day after the Worm Moon. Two Bass and the…"
Tuesday
John Sheehan commented on dick tabbert's photo
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"1/16th oz., good!"
Tuesday
dick tabbert commented on dick tabbert's photo
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"These are my last build. I added more colors."
Tuesday
dick tabbert commented on dick tabbert's photo
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"No Jon I went with the 1/16 oz jig heads so I could have a larger hook for crappies. It's a #4…"
Tuesday
John Sheehan commented on dick tabbert's photo
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"Colors are great !"
Monday
John Sheehan commented on dick tabbert's photo
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"Thats a good Crappie size! Are they 32nd Oz Jigs?"
Monday
dick tabbert commented on dick tabbert's photo
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"They are right at 2" long."
Monday
John Sheehan commented on dick tabbert's photo
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"I Can see Crappie and Bass chomping on them, Dick!"
Sunday
dick tabbert commented on dick tabbert's photo
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"I made these up for crappie in mind. They might be a little big for gills unless it a bigger gill."
Sunday
John Sheehan commented on dick tabbert's photo
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"What Species you got in mind for these great Minnow ties , Dick?"
Sunday
dick tabbert posted photos
Sunday
John Sheehan commented on Sam k.'s group Trout Bums
""Trout Season opens April 6th 2024 in New Jersey. Waters are runnin' high for…"
Sunday

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