What exaclty is a shellcracker?

[Nathan]

I hear this term a lot but I have no idea what it is...can you BBGers enlighten me?

Thanks

[Allen Morgan]

"Shellcracker" is a Southern coloquial term for a Red-Eared Sunfish.  They earned the name because they have pharangyl teeth (crusher molars) in the back of their throat, that they use to crush the shells of snails and freshwater mussels.

[Nathan]

I see, thank you, Allen! I don't think I have those around here..

[Ben Seay]

Picture for reference

 

[Nathan]

That looks like a lot of fish I catch...I have a hard time identifying all these panfish species though.

[Ronald A Wilson]

as allen said ,redeared sunfish, they can get really big ,they have been catching huge ones down below you in lake havasu arizona. i believe almost 6 pounds was the biggvest and several others over 3 pounds

[Nathan]

Dang that's a huge fish, I was just watching a video of a guy who was using a like 20ft long pole and catching some really fat ones.