red ears

[abishop]

Caught some nice red ears this morning. All were females with eggs a plenty. Do red ears spawn a bit sooner than bluegills? I know every lake is a bit different, but, in general do they spawn a little sooner??? Or are they the same, bluegills?

[wallydiven]

I typically see them dancing around the same time as gills which is right now on the lakes I hit in K County area. Unfortunately most people are finding it an easy meal and picking the beds clean. I don't ever keep fish, just enjoy catching them.

[Teacherpreacher]

I have found they  usually spawn  a couple weeks ahead of  gills. If you look it up, the "experts" say this is true but I think it depends a lot on weather and temperature of the water.
Teach

Caught these males a couple years ago on Pine on beds. Couple were 11”.
Teach

[abishop]

I have found they  usually spawn  a couple weeks ahead of  gills. If you look it up, the "experts" say this is true but I think it depends a lot on weather and temperature of the water.
Teach

That is kind of what I was thinking also.

[indianahooker]

I got 2 red ears yesterday.  was out in the sun too long.

lot of guys I know say redears aren't fit to eat. I eat them tho.

[northrn-duck-assassin]

I got 2 red ears yesterday.  was out in the sun too long.

lot of guys I know say redears aren't fit to eat. I eat them tho.

I eat the redears i catch while gill fishing. I can deffinetly tell the difference in taste between the two species though. No doubt.

[gilldan]

I think they are a couple weeks behind this year with those couple of cold spells in May.  Buddies got couple doz. last Fri. all females with eggs.  I normally get them after Mothers Day when we have a good weather pattern.  Another buddy got some crappie last Thurs. that still were full of eggs.  I was getting some males this afternoon that were just spawning.  They went back.  Just been a weird year.

[charlys1954]

I got 2 red ears yesterday.  was out in the sun too long.

lot of guys I know say redears aren't fit to eat. I eat them tho.

I don't get many only 1 so far this year. If its a big one its like any older fish they're not that good to me but gr8t fun to catch. I like the smaller younger ones they taste better. Caught a big one last year about 11" and I don't know why but it smelt like it lived in the sewer, tossed it back to big and it stunk.