Show me your... Redears!

[Duck-Hunter]

Well I'm bored, have been since we lost ice down here. Figured I'd start a little talk about redears. It's my favorite fish to chase in the hardwater season. They are elusive, THE most finicky fish to chase in the winter months. They are also a trophy and a great fight. They are also a southern Michigan thing which adds to our great fishery.  I have yet to get one worthy of the wall, that is my goal next season. I have caught a few pushing 11" but I'm. Looking for that toad that's over 1.5 lbs that just looks unreal in girth. This past season I've had a few on that were true trophy material but the most depressing thing always happens.. Lose em under the ice, pop the hook or break off... Usually all on tournament day, never have problems connecting with them on any other day of the week lol.










This one was taken a few years back that started my fascination with redears

[SKIFFLAKEJIMMY]

Dandy fish, for sure!

[Duck-Hunter]

 Thanks! They are interesting fish and get HUGE! I had a couple pics on my old phone of tanks that just look unreal.

[3300]

i prefer to catch them over blue gill being they fight like gills on steroids. so they are bigger fillets too.

most of mine are in freezer bags and the rest got ate!

[DickTate]

The one without the stripes looks like a redear, the one with stripes looks like a bluegill x redear hybrid, and the one with the turquoise isn't a redear

[Duck-Hunter]

They are all redears. Could be possible of bluegill/redear cross as mentioned. The one with "turquoise" is definitely a redear, the lake was stocked with them years ago and they took over.