Question about flies for redear/shellcrackers

[FishnDave]

What flies do you like to use for redears, especially when they can be found in shallows/near shore?

Is a "popper/dropper" the best thing, and what do you use for the dropper?

[Greg Hunsicker]

I've had good luck with 1/80 to 1/100 micro jigs in chartruse micro chanile body and marabou tail.

Greg

[tlerm]

I've found that redear don't hit topwater stuff as much as other sunfish. I think they tend to stay deeper, except during the spawn.

I've had good luck with weighted dragon fly nymphs and red fox squirrel nymphs, and also red San Juan worms. I'll have good luck too if I use a two fly rig, with one weighted fly and a San Juan worm (the weighted fly is to help the San Juan get down deeper). Scuds, sowbugs or any type of insect nymph fished on the bottom should work.

[FishnDave]

@Tim:
During the spawn is when I expect I'll have my best shot at them with fly gear, since I rarely use sinking lines. I'd heard the "popper-dropper" was a good technique for that. Not that the topwater fly gets much action, but that it acts as a strike indicator and allows you to keep a weighted fly suspended in front of the fish better?
What size hooks do you like to tie your nymphs on for redears?

@Greg:
That is interesting...my impression is that natural-colored nymphs would get the most looks from redears. But maybe this is erroneous? Do you feel they are attracted to bright colors? This is very helpful to consider.
Also, are you fishing your micro jigs outside weed edges/drops? Or when the fish are in the shallows?

Thanks fellas!

[Gigmaster]

The upper Hiawassee River, near Charleston, Tn. is full of Redears. They attack small Wooley Buggers like there's no tomorrow. I haven't even noticed a color preference. I usually use black, brown, or OD green. They hit larger Hare's Ear nympths, and Damsel Fly Nympths pretty hard, as well. You just need to get them down near the bottom. Sometimes you may need to use a sinking, or sink tip line, or use micro jigs.

They hit live worms really good, too. And cut up mussels, crawfish, and shrimp.

The upper Ocoee River, near Benton, Tn., also has Redears.

[FishnDave]

Iowa apparently is the north edge of their range...actually I think the lakes in the southern 1/2 of the state that have them were all initially STOCKED with them.

Very good tips, thanks!

[brhoff]

you will be fishing spawners, no doubt, no way no how....they will be protecting a bed at thas point.

a smallish leech or streamer pattern will anger them enough to strike...if'n you can see them and they don't move to as fly...move on, they don't need us at this point....

[FishnDave]

The lake I hope to fish...I haven't been there in years, and I can't recall what the water clarity is like. Most Iowa lakes are somewhat murky. I think the shoreline does get a good weedbed growing during the warmer months, for whatever that is worth.
I'm hoping to get my kayak down there and be able to cover a lot of water if necessary to find the fish when the time comes. I'm not a big fan of plucking fish off their nests, but I rarely ever keep fish, so I shouldn't be hurting the population at all. They can go back to their nests after we play for a bit. ;o)

[James Smith]

My most productive pattern for shellcrackers (AKA Red Eared Sunfish) is an all black leech pattern tied on a size 10 2xl hook. The simpliest way to tie this pattern is to tie in a small bunch of black rabit fur for the tail and then wind the body with black mohair yarn. Pick the yarn out so that it is nice an bushy. It will slim down in the water to a small profile, but it is a killer pattern. I picked up several very nice shellcrackers including a couple that went just over 13 inches long on this pattern two evenings ago. I also caught several bass with two of them that were around 16 or 17 inches long. Not real big, but still loads of fun on my three wt. You can add a bit of wire for weight if you want to, but if you're fishing the shallows, you probably wont need more than two or three wraps of wire to get it down to where you want it.



Jim Smith

[FishnDave]

Hey Jim, that is good to know, too! I've caught plenty of fish on the mohair leeches like you described, so will certainly give them a try for the redears. 13" Redear...that would be awesome!