Redear sunfish — locally called 'shellcrackers' — live in NE FL ponds, lakes, and slow river backwaters. They prefer sandy-bottom areas with snail beds. The freshwater backwaters off the SJR all hold them. Shorter range than bluegill but bigger when you find them.
Body similar to bluegill but with a distinctive red or orange 'ear' tab on the gill plate (rather than the bluegill's black ear). Florida no minimum size, 50 daily panfish aggregate. Most are 8-10 inches; 12+ inch 'platter shellcrackers' are real trophies.
Spring (March-May) on the full moon is the window — they spawn in big bedding aggregations in 2-4 feet of clear sandy-bottom water. Find a bed in spring and you can catch a hundred. Summer they spread out. Fall a secondary window. Winter slows.
Fresh red worm on a small #6 hook with a slip bobber set 2-3 feet deep, fished tight to the sandy bottom in spring on a full moon. Look for circular light patches on the bottom (the spawning beds) in 2-4 feet of clear water. Patient presentation; they crush snails so they're aggressive once you find them.
Florida fishing regulations change. Always confirm slot, bag limits, and seasons on the official source before you keep anything. See our Licenses & Regulations page or go straight to MyFWC.com.