So I live on a small lake in east texas and I have been noticing some bream the size of crappie building nest right behind the house. Tried to catch some the last couple of days but the calm winds and clear water seemed to work against me. Today we had wind and waves so I guess it broke up my outline and I was able to catch 3 before they got too jittery. Anyways, they measured 11", 10 3/4", and 9 3/4 inches. I caught them on a long fiberglass pole with a fly. It took a while to land each one and after measureing I put them back. My question for you guys is just how big do these guys get? On that little pole they are a blast to catch. Have been catching alot of blue gills and coppernose that are plenty big also just not 10-11 inches. Sorry I don't have pics. I will look into how to post some. Being such clear water they are absolutely beautiful.

Here is the old record for the Lake Dunlap Redear. It was caught by the Fred the "Rionator". The state record is 14" and just under three pounds. We have some Anglers who live in Austin and they catch some Monsters on Lady Bird Lake. They are the bigger fish of the six types of Sunfish. I love the fight they put up on Ultra light. They are also very good eating.

I have seen some Monster Redear posted over the years in this section. There should be some nice ones being caught late spring through fall. Heck these guys and gals were nailing trophy Redear all winter long on Dunlap.

They can get really big, especially redear. The C&R redear record for my lake, LBL, is 15". Crazy!!!! That's a huge sunfish.
I caught the state C&R record blugill. It measured 12". When I was a kid, I never caught sunnies this big. Either the creeks and rivers I fished didn't hold big fish or something has changed.

Congratulations Ash on your State Record Bluegill. I know you have had it for awhile and just wanted to say GREAT JOB!

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Thanks Chuck. It's still pretty shocking. I love bragging about it. Everytime people start talking about fishing, I am like BAM!-I have a state record lol. But nothing holds to all of yours!!!

Those Redear are Huge up there in Austin. I can see you getting another State Record very easily.



Side Note: Don't mean to take your thread away "Tightlines24" but the Redear is a huge topic in this section. The Anglers here catch some very Big Ones as you can see.

No problem. I got my question answered and then some. Thanks guys.

Good luck on your Redear trip. Give us a report on how you do.

Redears, otherwise known as "Shell Crackers" prefer worms. They will eat a bug, but only if there are no snails or worms around. Try fishing some regular old earth worms, and I think you will find that they bite much faster. Good Luck.

Last fall to early spring, prior to Lake Dunlap's water level coming up, I personally was on 4 to 5 trips that most everyone in the group caught at least one 10"+ red ear gill. Three trips specifically, one with Urban Fisher, another with The Rionator and the last with Gator Guy, it was nearly non stop on the 8"+ gill action all in the same place, the little gravel bank across from the apartments.

In all three situations I used meal worms - the red ears were just HAMMERING them. I would just float a meal worm over the large rock beds and BAM!

I have since experienced a decline in the strike rate with meal worms (go figure in the spring) and the red wigglers are bending poles for me now!

That was a freaky time on Dunlap!

Oh yeah...talk about fun!!! This picture of this monstrosity has been posted before, but it is definitely one of my favorites!!! I will never forget that trip!

That was a good day for sure.



My persoanl best at Dunlap.