Mississippi Fish Fact: Redear Sunfish, Known as ‘Shellcracker,’ Enjoy Hard-Shelled Prey

The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks has shared a fact about the redear sunfish, also known as the ‘shellcracker.’

These fish earn their nickname from their diet, which includes snails, clams, and other hard-shelled prey. They use specialized teeth in their throat to crush their food. Redear sunfish typically grow larger than other sunfish in the same waters, sometimes exceeding a pound.

They prefer quiet, clear waters with abundant vegetation and structures. Anglers targeting redear should fish on the bottom with natural bait like worms or grubs, as these fish are less likely to chase artificial lures, according to the department.

People interested in learning more about redear sunfish can visit the department’s fish identification guide at mdwfp.com.

Source: Original Article