Redbreast sunfish in Florida
Meet the species

Scientific name
Lepomis auritus
Overview
Also known as river bream and redbellies, these are the flowing water cousins of bluegill. Redbellies often can be found in backwater areas with less flow, especially where there are sandy bottoms. Common in rivers of north Florida, but absent from south Florida.
Typical size
Big catch minimum: 9 inches or 0
At a glance
- Regions
- Inland south
- Water
- Freshwater
- Bait
- The same live baits that work for bluegill will also catch redbreast sunfish.
Florida fishing record
- Weight
- 2 lb 1 oz
- Location
- Suwannee river, gilchrist county
- Date
- Apr 29, 1988
- Angler
- Jerrel dewees, jr.
- Type
- Florida state record
Record catch notes
2.08 lb; by jerrel dewees, jr.; on 4/29/1988; at suwannee river, gilchrist county
When to fish
Good months
January–december
Season notes
Intentional year round: Florida freshwater sport fish generally available year-round; peak months only when FWC When-to-Fish states them.
Where to fish
Florida regions
Inland south
Water
Freshwater
Habitat
Also known as river bream and redbellies, these are the flowing water cousins of bluegill. Redbellies often can be found in backwater areas with less flow, especially where there are sandy bottoms. Common in rivers of north Florida, but absent from south Florida.
How to catch
The same live baits that work for bluegill will also catch redbreast sunfish. Image credit: © duane raver & jr.
Bait
The same live baits that work for bluegill will also catch redbreast sunfish.
Videos
- How to catch redbreast sunfish fishing planet on falcon lake · Open original
- How to catch shellcrackers - two great techniques for big redear sunfish · Open original
- How to fillet shellcrackers (redear sunfish) · Open original
- Found a secret LAKE with ONLY giants.... Biggest redear *shellcrackers* we've EVER SEEN!!! (unreal) · Open original
- 他媽超兇 直接變蜂窩 @nicole #差點美好單身生活 #副駕閉嘴 · Open original
- 只有情緒沒有價值 @nicole #差點美好單身生活 #今晚吃什麼 · Open original
- Video from tiktok.com (source title unavailable) · Open original
- Video from tiktok.com (source title unavailable) · Open original
Sources
- Myfwc.com (3 pages)
Information comes from the supplied source datasets. Check linked FWC regulations for current rules.