Shellcrackers????

OK Ok, been down in florida for a couple of months now and starting to hear from a lot of excited people the "shellcrackers are starting in to spawn." Now, I have caught probably a million brim in my life, red ear, red bellys, punkin seed, goggle eyes, sun pearch and the list goes on and on. Can someone please tell me what the heck is a shellcracker???? Are they just a larger size brim, how big do they get, what do they look like (distingushing marks) what is the best way to catch one. and why all the excitement? Is it for the fight, the food fare (how do they taste) and so on. Real curious and going to go out tomorrow and try to find some. Only this is all I know to do is worm on hook under weight under bobber/slip cork.
Could someone please get me smart on the subject??
Dusty

Shellcracker is a redear. Just called by another name.

i am glad you asked. I have been wondering the same thing!!!

Try this:

http://www.outdooralabama.com/fishin.../bream/redear/

centerdriver they are great eating and fun to catch i fish the river here in ga. where i live fishing on the bottom using either big red or little red worms they seem to bite better fishing this way for me wish you success

Shellcrackers real name is redear sunfish. They have some red/orange behind the ear. They get the name shellcracker because they have strong jaws that crush snails along a pond bottom. Shellcrackers feed on stuff growing in a pond or lake so they aren't caught often. If you catch one, usually they are bigger than bluegills because redears are not often caught, they can't be taken out of a pond and can feed more.
Here's a picture of one I caught last fall. Look on the top of the ear for the red/orange color.http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b3...c/100_4535.jpg

This is a male. (1# 11 oz)

Here's a picture of a couple shellcrackers pushing 2lbs....no place better in the world to catch them than santee-cooper. It's about time for bedding season april and may. I'll be there.

Thanks for all the replys. Only been out once trying for one, and got what I thought was one.....now I know it was. Sure did put a bend in the crappie pole. Was still not sure till I checked in here tonight though. Only caught 1 keeper so let it go, but cant wait till I can get 4 or more for a good meal. Did get a few smaller things that looked like them, but at 3 and 4", let them go. Did have a flash back of me and grandpa catching 50 or so of the small ones and baiting out trotlines for really huge flat head and apalousa's. Man, those were the days.
Once again thanks for the pics and the come backs. Yall helped me out a bunch.

Pound for pund a Shellcracker is the best fighting fish the Good Lord put in water. Finding them can sometimes be a challenge but when you do its Katie bar the door.

birddog,

Gotta agree with you there! They're like bream on steroids!

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Originally Posted by Aero

Here's a picture of a couple shellcrackers pushing 2lbs....no place better in the world to catch them than santee-cooper. It's about time for bedding season april and may. I'll be there.

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I know this is not the best place to introduce myself, but I'm new to this site and it looks like a great site.

Aero,

I am planning on going in May and I have never been. Can you give me any advice or starting points?

Centerdriver if you are in Mount Dora go out to Lake Griffin in the Harris Chain. Set out of Pine Island Fish Camp(google them). They sell grass shimp what happens to be the best bait you can get for shellcrackers(redears) and bluegills. There is a place right in front of where you set out of Pine Island Fish Camp called THE WALL. I have limited out numerous times there,if you don't find the fish there look for the boats. There is always a crowd around these fish. I usually don't start looking for shellcrackers until August,September, but what do I know I'm just a man with his rod in his hand

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sport...,2070607.story


They are starting to bunch up Center

Speaking of grass shrimp, you Orlando guys really ought to give the fly rod a try with some scuds for those Bluegill and Shellcrackers. I can use the scud on a straight line but usually I use this scud in a size 10 as a dropper with about 2 foot (or more) of 6lb. line tied to the hook bend of a small surface yellow popper or pusher (like a Round Dinny). The popper or pusher will act like a float (bobber). Sometimes you might get doubles on the dropper and popper or pusher. It doesn't cast all that well but it does catch bream :). I have real good luck on this dropper rig, especially when they aren't biting other things.

Rainy's Bead Back Scud

I tie mine with clear glass seed beads for the shellback/body, and use tan Antron or nylon carpet fibers for the legs. If you don't tie flies, you can always buy scuds and poppers or pushers.

I have not tried fly fishing yet,but I always game for a new reason to buy a new fishing pole. I'll have to give it a try. Have you caught any shellcrackers and blugills on flies?

#1 Sus-speck,

There is no bad way to catch bluegills and shellcrackers! Fly fishing is fun, particularly with poppers and dry flies. Spring is a good time to learn since you'll find a lot of fish shallow.


Robert,

That's a nice looking scud! I've never seen a bead version before. I'll have to try it out.

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Originally Posted by #1 Sus-speck

Have you caught any shellcrackers and blugills on flies?

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Goodness gracious, yes! Lots :D. In fact most of the fish fillets in my freezer are caught on the fly. To a lesser extent the rest on live minnows, jigs, and other lures. I have to admit that I catch more Specks on minnows and jigs than flies but I catch far more bream (Bluegill and Shellcrackers mostly) on flies. Don't forget to carry the fly rod next time out. You will be glad you did :). Fly casting is not that hard at all and the gear and tackle ranges from inexpensive to expensive depending on how far you want to go. So it won't break your wallet unless you want it to :D. Flyfishing is also as simple as you want it to be or as complex as you want it to be. I like it simple :D.

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Originally Posted by deathb4disco

That's a nice looking scud! I've never seen a bead version before. I'll have to try it out.

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Kevin, give it a try for sure. It works for me tied like I said above. I've caught a lot of bream on that little scud :).