So Is It A Crappie Or Bluegill Or Crappie-Gil ?

[flyfishmaster]

I went fishing this past weekend in our 4 acre pond and caught many of these very different looking fish. They look like a hybrid between a crappie and bluegill. They are twice as wide as the normal bluegill in the pond. Take a look and tell me what you think. If they are cross bred, should I have any concerns or just let it go? (I did not know my fish where cross breeders, not that there is anything wrong with that.) later, FFM

[Bird Watcher]

Looks like one of those Georgia Hybrid sunfish to me. I think a cross between a red ear and a bluegill. They were, maybe still are, very popular for farm pond stockings due to their fast growth rate and large size. It might also just be a true redear, on second thought and after a google search, I think it is just a red ear.

[Addicted to Creeks]

looks like a red ear to me?

[moguy1973]

looks like a red ear to me?

I agree. Just a red-ear sunfish.

[fishinwrench]

Yup

[BassMaster#1]

I would say red ear too, but it does have spots that resemble crappie. http://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/redear-sunfish

Looks like you cooked them up, did it taste like crappie or bluegill?

[Feathers and Fins]

red ear to me

[MoSportsmen]

You should be happy. I have talked to fish people that say these red ear are a better fish that Hybred bluegill. They get bigger.

[Bird Watcher]

On a side note, I only wish I had a private pond full of red ear. You're a lucky man.

[sitting fishing]

red ear to me

red ear also called shellcracker