Spotted Sunfish

Body Type & Identification: Olive to brown with each scale having a reddish to orange spot — creating a spotted appearance across the body. Also called "Stumpknocker" in the South — a reference to its habit of hiding around stumps and submerged wood. A small sunfish closely associated with Florida and the Gulf Coast.

Preferred Water Temperature: 68°F–82°F. A warm-water sunfish adapted to the vegetated, tannin-stained waters of the Southeast coastal plain. Spawn in spring in shallow vegetated areas near wood structure.

Habitat: Streams, rivers, and lakes of the Atlantic and Gulf coastal plain from South Carolina to Texas. Closely associated with submerged wood — stumps, logs, and roots in vegetated, tannic water. Common in Florida rivers and streams. Often found alongside Warmouth and Redear Sunfish.

Best Lures: Small weedless jigs near submerged wood produce catches. Small poppers work over vegetation. Tiny soft plastics near structure are effective.

Best Baits: Live crickets are outstanding. Small nightcrawler pieces work well. Live small crayfish produce results. Wax worms are effective. Light tackle near submerged wood and vegetated areas in Florida and Gulf Coast streams and rivers.

Top 5 Destinations: Suwannee River FL, Withlacoochee River FL, Flint River GA, Choctawhatchee River FL/AL, Apalachicola River FL.

Olive to brown with each scale having a reddish to orange spot — creating a spotted appearance across the body. Also called "Stumpknocker" in the South — a reference to its habit of hiding around stumps and submerged wood. A small sunfish closely associated with Florida and the Gulf Coast.

Streams, rivers, and lakes of the Atlantic and Gulf coastal plain from South Carolina to Texas. Closely associated with submerged wood — stumps, logs, and roots in vegetated, tannic water. Common in Florida rivers and streams. Often found alongside Warmouth and Redear Sunfish.

68°F–82°F. A warm-water sunfish adapted to the vegetated, tannin-stained waters of the Southeast coastal plain. Spawn in spring in shallow vegetated areas near wood structure.

Best Lures: Small weedless jigs near submerged wood produce catches. Small poppers work over vegetation. Tiny soft plastics near structure are effective. Best Baits: Live crickets are outstanding. Small nightcrawler pieces work well. Live small crayfish produce results. Wax worms are effective. Light tackle near submerged wood and vegetated areas in Florida and Gulf Coast streams and rivers.

Suwannee River FL, Withlacoochee River FL, Flint River GA, Choctawhatchee River FL/AL, Apalachicola River FL.