White Crappie (Pomoxis annularis)

The White Crappie or Pomoxis annularis is a freshwater fish from the Sunfish family Centrarchidae. This popular angling fish is found in all of the lower 48 United States. This fish will feed on a large variety of things including insects, crustaceans and also baby Muskellunge, Walleye and Northern Pike.

If you are fishing for White Crappie you can often find them around weed beds, logs, large rocks and other large underwater structures. The best to time to fish for White Crappie is during the evening or early morning. Spinners, jigs, minnows and worms can all be used to catch this very edible fish, just like its close relative the Black Crappie. They are even caught in the wintertime through the ice.

As with other members of the sunfish family, White Crappie build nests when they spawn. These nests will look very similar that of the Bluegill, round and relatively large in size. Spawning occurs in the spring when water temperatures reach 60°F to 70°F. It only takes about 5 days for the fry to hatch, but they are literally stuck to the nest by an adhesive for another 3-4 days. Once they manage to break themselves free they begin to feed and can grow 5" in just the first year. The biggest White Crappie on records was just over 5lbs caught in Mississippi.  You can check out some White Crappie fishing in the video below... 

If you have any additional information or fishing tips for the White Crappie please leave us a comment below.

Opah (Lampris gutatus)

The Opah or Lampris gutatus is a saltwater fish that goes by a couple different names including the Moonfish, Sunfish, Kingfish, Redfin Ccean Pan and the Jerusalem Haddock. This fish is has a circular shape and can grow very large, up to 6 feet in length and weighing up to 700lbs! Their fins are red in color with a body that is less tan twice as long as it is wide. Opah are sometimes confused with other fish, but can be distinguished by its 14 to 17 pectoral rays. These fish have a singular dorsal fin with long pectoral and pelvic fins and a concave caudal fin. There is also a gold band around their eyes.

Often caught for sport, these fish are also a good food source and are often hooked in waters of 200 to 1,200 feet deep in the Pacific Ocean. One of the most common meals for the Opah is squid, but it will also eat smaller fish and invertebrates. This fish tends to travel with Tuna and Billfish in search of food.

As you can image due to its enormous size and strong body these fish are fantastic fighters and will put up a serious challenge for even the most experienced of anglers.  The depths that they inhabit also make them extreme difficult to capture.

If you have any additonal information about the Opah fish please leave us a comment below.

Redear Sunfish (Lepomis microlophus)

The Redear Sunfish or Lepomis microlophus is a freshwater fish found in the Souteastern United States. This panfish is often confused with the Bluegill, but is usually a bit larger with a slightly different coloration. The males of this species will have a red edge on their operculum while the female has an orange edge.  The operculum is the bony part of the fish that covers the gills.  You can check out the Redear Sunfish in action in the video below.   

This game fish goes by many different names including the Cherry Gill, Sun Perch, Shellcracker, Stumpknocker, Georgia Bream and Improved Bream. Often feeding on snails and other goodies found on the bottom, the Redear Sunfish can grow to about 17" (43cm). They have specially designed mouths that allows them to use their pharyngeal teeth and moving mouth plates to crush their prey with ease. This unique trait has even won them respects in regards to controlling the invasive mussel problem that plagues some freshwater areas.

Like the Bluegill, this species will build nests in close proximity to one another and wait for the females to lay their eyes. These fish are even known to hybridizes with other Sunfish.  If you have any additional information about the Redear Sunfish including recipes and fishing tips please leave a comment below.

Sacramento perch (Archoplites interruptus)

The Sacramento perch or Archoplites interruptus is a freshwater fish from the Sunfish family Centrarchidae and is found in many of the western states in America including California, Oregon and Nevada. The habitat of the Sacramento Perch often consists of lakes and slow moving rivers with heavy vegetation. They are often caught and considered to be quite delicious when prepared correctly.

Sacramento Perch are not particularly large only growing to about 24" (61cm) in length and weighing in at 8lbs (3.6kg). They can normally live up to six years old. Females of this species tend to be larger than males.  These fish tend to be blackish or brownish with about seven vertical dark bars that are irregular in form and position.

Despite it name the Sacramento Perch is not considered to be a Perch at all. These fish have 12-14 dorsal spines and 6-8 anal spines with 13-15 pectoral rays. Sacramento Perch are notorious for being able to survive in many different water conditions. They are capable of surviving high temperatures, poor water clarity, high salinities and high turbidity.

Spawning of the Sacramento Perch occurs from March to August generally when the water temperature reaches 18 degree Celsius. Like the Bluegill, these freshwater fish will build nest in close to shore which they will defend at all costs until the female arrives. Female Sacramento Perch can produce over 100,000 eggs at a time and will spawn with multiple males. The male will guard the nest for several days until the fry are hatched.

If you are fishing for Sacramento Perch you can use a simple bobber setup with worms or crickets.  They are not the easiest to catch, but well worth it in the frying pan.    

If you have any additional information about the Sacramento Perch including recipes and fishing tips please share.