11 in Red Ear off the Beds!

Comment

Comment by Andre Sturkey on August 21, 2010 at 6:21pm

Jim that is the size of the ones at Hashawa

Comment by Jim Gronaw on August 21, 2010 at 4:58pm

Although not as colorful as the male blue gill, male red ears tend to have that darker overhue about the face and cheeks during the spawn, while female red ears, like hen gills, tend to be lighter in overall color. You can see the darkness of this fish that I am releasing in the accompaning photo...similar to spawning shellcrackers in many parts of the country. I watched this, and others, watching and guarding over beds with strong, parental and almost aggressive conduct.

It should be pointed out that, as a general rule, I find redears harder to catch off of beds than I do bluegills, especially guardian males.

Comment by Michael J. Searl on August 21, 2010 at 5:54am

Great catch Jim. Considering the time of year this is a mythbuster situation for me. Thanks for sharing. Illinoisgiller

Comment by bluegillboogieman on August 20, 2010 at 6:27pm

Well, at thirty minutes of coaxing, there goes the theory that they're easy on the bed!
But that is just one of my confusions. Since joining BBG.com, I have learned pretty well how to tell the boys from the girls, when it comes to bluegills. But shellcrackers?, I need some more schooling. For boy gills, after the pretty boy factor, I look for the longer ear tab and the black tipped scales along the back. Can you tell me about this shellcracker? Boy/Girl and how do you tell?

Comment by Greg McWilliams on August 20, 2010 at 5:26pm

Awesome Redear, Way to Go Jim!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!