Redspotted Sunfish

Body Type & Identification: Olive to blue-green body with rows of red-orange spots giving a vivid pattern — among the most colorful small sunfish. A small to medium sunfish of Gulf coastal plain rivers. Similar to Spotted Sunfish in appearance and habitat. Distinguished by the red spots being more prominent and covering more of the body.

Preferred Water Temperature: 68°F–82°F. A warm-water coastal plain sunfish found in rivers, swamps, and backwaters of the Gulf drainage. Spawn in late spring over sandy or gravel substrate near vegetation.

Habitat: Rivers, streams, and bayous of the Gulf coastal plain from Georgia to Texas. Found in both clear-water streams and tannin-stained blackwater systems. Often found alongside Longear Sunfish and Redbreast Sunfish. Common in the Pascagoula, Pearl, and Sabine drainages.

Best Lures: Small jigs near cover work well. Small inline spinners produce strikes.

Best Baits: Live crickets are the top bait. Small nightcrawler pieces work well. Wax worms produce results. Light tackle with small hooks near vegetation in Gulf coastal streams.

Top 5 Destinations: Pascagoula River MS, Pearl River MS/LA, Sabine River TX/LA, Neches River TX, Apalachicola River FL.

Olive to blue-green body with rows of red-orange spots giving a vivid pattern — among the most colorful small sunfish. A small to medium sunfish of Gulf coastal plain rivers. Similar to Spotted Sunfish in appearance and habitat. Distinguished by the red spots being more prominent and covering more of the body.

Rivers, streams, and bayous of the Gulf coastal plain from Georgia to Texas. Found in both clear-water streams and tannin-stained blackwater systems. Often found alongside Longear Sunfish and Redbreast Sunfish. Common in the Pascagoula, Pearl, and Sabine drainages.

68°F–82°F. A warm-water coastal plain sunfish found in rivers, swamps, and backwaters of the Gulf drainage. Spawn in late spring over sandy or gravel substrate near vegetation.

Best Lures: Small jigs near cover work well. Small inline spinners produce strikes. Best Baits: Live crickets are the top bait. Small nightcrawler pieces work well. Wax worms produce results. Light tackle with small hooks near vegetation in Gulf coastal streams.

Pascagoula River MS, Pearl River MS/LA, Sabine River TX/LA, Neches River TX, Apalachicola River FL.