Redbreast Sunfish fishing
Lepomis auritus. A long, entirely black ear (opercular) flap with no pale border, longer than on most other sunfish.
Redbreast Sunfish fishing uses a beetle spin or a worm. Redbreast sunfish are native and naturally reproducing across most of their range rather than a hatchery-stocked species.
Published by Fishypedia · Sources last checked September 21, 2026
Drafted by AI from the cited sources and checked before publishing.
- Active times
- –
- Line
- –
- Hook sizes
- Size 6 or 8, per Florida's FWC bream fishing guidance.
- Stocked in
- 1 state
Identification
- A long, entirely black ear (opercular) flap with no pale border, longer than on most other sunfish.
- Blue-green wavy lines across an olive to brownish head and back.
- Males show a bright orange to yellow breast, the trait behind the name; 3 anal spines separate it from rock bass.
- Deep, laterally compressed body; adults run about 3.5 to 8+ inches in Virginia.
Sources: dwr.virginia.gov, accessed September 21, 2026 , myfwc.com, accessed September 21, 2026 , en.wikipedia.org, accessed September 21, 2026
Top lures
Pitched tight to shoreline or current-break cover, tipped with clam.
Sources: myfwc.com, accessed September 21, 2026 , dwr.virginia.gov, accessed September 21, 2026
Top baits
FWC notes the same live baits that catch bluegill also catch redbreast.
Sources: myfwc.com, accessed September 21, 2026 , myfwc.com, accessed September 21, 2026
Line & tackle
- Rod power
- Hook sizes
- Size 6 or 8, per Florida's FWC bream fishing guidance.
Depth by season
Spring
Begins spawning as early as May on sand-gravel beds close to shore.
Summer
Spawning continues into July in Virginia, with males guarding the nest until eggs hatch.
Fall
–
Sources: dwr.virginia.gov, accessed September 21, 2026
Stocked behavior
Redbreast sunfish are native and naturally reproducing across most of their range rather than a hatchery-stocked species. Virginia's Department of Wildlife Resources lists them as native to most of the state (introduced only in southwest Virginia, where they are now established), and Florida's FWC likewise lists their status as native, with no stocking program behind the fish anglers catch.
Sources: dwr.virginia.gov, accessed September 21, 2026 , myfwc.com, accessed September 21, 2026
Common mistakes
- Overlooking river backwaters for lake water; redbreast are more common in rivers than bluegill and favor low-flow backwater areas.
- Fishing open banks instead of cover; redbreast sunfish thrive in areas with submerged structure, or near the shoreline where there are overhanging banks.
Where it's stocked
5 locations shown. Tap a pin for details. · Open this area in Google Maps
State records
| State | Weight | Angler | Water | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | 0.88 lbs | Tim King Stearns, KY | Marsh Creek McCreary County | 1997 |
Common questions
What lures work for Redbreast Sunfish?
Beetle spin (1/16 oz), a spinner: Pitched tight to shoreline or current-break cover, tipped with clam. Small jig, a jig. Small soft-plastic grub, a soft plastic.
What bait works for Redbreast Sunfish?
Worm: FWC notes the same live baits that catch bluegill also catch redbreast. Cricket.
Where do Redbreast Sunfish hold?
Spring: Begins spawning as early as May on sand-gravel beds close to shore. Summer: Spawning continues into July in Virginia, with males guarding the nest until eggs hatch.
How big do Redbreast Sunfish get?
The Kentucky record is 0.88 lbs from Marsh Creek McCreary County in 1997.