10 Inch Sunfish finally!! Elite Angler award!! Fish ID?

I finally caught my 5th species in the big fish award size today. I found a new pond and caught several nice Bass but a 10 inch green sunfish stole the show. At least I assume thats what it is??? Now that I look online there are hybrids of the green sun fish. Wieghed 12 ounces. 10.10 inches long. I will be submiting paperwork tomorrow for the big fish award and finally the Elite Angler Award!

That fish is a HOG! Congratulations on your ELITE ANGLER!

Gorgeous fish! Congrats!

Congrats Mike

It's a tough journey with an incredible amount of learning and other memories outside catching fish. I know the anxiety and effort it takes to get those 5 trophy fish. Especially when you fail to get quality photos or any other reason a trophy catch may not get accepted. Good news is now you can talk trash to your friends like I do. Things like, "At least you can take solace that you got schooled by a state certified Elite Angler today". You know, all that kind of ribbing.

J-Moe !!!
I cant believe the King would do that!!! Lol
I still havent heard you talk about that 20" bass on the fly!

Oh ya, I forgot about that. You catch a trophy fish, bring it to the boat, and your fishing partner reaches down with the net and knocks the hook out of his mouth

Sorry for hijacking Mike, Congrats again

Appears to be a green sunfish/ redear hybrid to me

Totally Agree!

I'm thinking green redear hybrid as well.

Congrats on the elite angler! That is definitely a hybrid green but a beautiful one.

Nice hog!

Well my quest for Elite angler continues.... My big fish award for 10 inch sunfish was denied. ARGHH... Which I think is not right all. On the angler recognition big fish award page it lists "Sunfish" 10" or bigger for big fish award. Also lists bluegill 10 inhes or bigger for big fish award. Sunfish is a very broad term that cover many species. To not include this beautiful species is shocking! It is in fact a SUNFISH!! Whether its a hyrbid or not its still a sufish at the end of the day right? Also catching one this size is not easy to do. I caught probably 500 or more "hybrid green sunfish around town before I caught this monster one. Thoughts? Now im not sure what sunfish or blue gill to go after for a big fish award since some do not count!

Hate to hear that Mike, keep after them. Any pure breed sunfish will apply. Redbreast, Redear, Green, Longear and Warmouth are all pure sunfish species and are part of the big fish award program. Cichlid and Bluegill apply as well.

Sweet catch anyways