Shell cracker, however, like water in the 5 foot depth. When that water hits 70 degrees, usually in May in the South, they will bed around that full moon. In Georgia, by June and July the water in that 5 foot depth is hotter than 70, so they don’t bed anymore.
Shellcracker will bed well into August, while bluegill will periodically spawn throughout the summer months and, sometimes, even as late as November in south Florida..
How often do shellcrackers go to bed?
Individual shellcrackers generally bed once a year, but not all at the same time; some spawn a bit early and some later. “Typically a full moon during late April is the peak, but some bedding usually occurs a month earlier and a month after the peak,” Lamprecht said.
When do shellcrackers spawn in Florida?
If water temperatures remain low through March in central Florida waters, then expect shellcrackers to concentrate for spawning between the second and fourth weeks of April. They will likely begin to concentrate in the panhandle of Florida in the third or fourth weeks of May.
When do shellcracker spawn?
Shellcrackers spawn about 1 month before the Bluegills (Copperheads) spawn. In South Florida, the shellcracker will typically spawn around the 3rd & 4th week of March. In Central Florida, the spawning occurs between late March to late April. Daylight temperatures need to range from 75 to 77 degrees.
So, what time of year do shellcrackers spawn?
That’s big shellcrackers anywhere. Individual shellcrackers generally bed once a year, but not all at the same time; some spawn a bit early and some later. “Typically a full moon during late April is the peak, but some bedding usually occurs a month earlier and a month after the peak,” Lamprecht said.
How deep do shellcrackers spawn?
The depth I have found the Shellcracker spawning in is from 10 inches to 3 in the same lake. The Shellcrackers that are in 10 inches of water is in bays with a little more stain in the water.
You should be wondering “What causes shellcracker eggs to spawn?”
Shellcracker spawning is triggered by the warming of water temperatures to 65 degrees. During this time, Shellcracker will move into shallow spawning habitat and build nests in 1-6 feet of water. They prefer to deposit their eggs on gravel bottom.
What is the best time of year to catch shellcrackers?
Like most fish, the best time to catch shellcrackers is during their annual spawn. Redear begin to spawn in the spring when the water temps hit about 66 degrees. However, ideal fishing temps are more around the 70-74 degree mark. The redear spawn occurs before the bluegill spawn kicks off.
This of course begs the question “Do you only catch shellcrackers in the spring?”
By the way all other shellcracker anglers I have spoke to say they only catch shellcrackers during the spawn in the spring. Other than the occasional catches the shellcracker seems to elude even avid anglers that are on the water often after the spawn is over.
A ultralight rod and spinning reel spooled with 4 pound test line is a perfect setup for shellcrackers in the winter. Jason also told me of his uncle that swore by using a piece of red yarn when the shellcrackers are on bed.
“Shellcrackers can live over 10 years; a bluegill may live five years. Another plus is the habitat and food supply in the Santee Cooper system is ideal for growing shellcrackers. Food sources include mussels, clams and snails as well as insect larva and other benthic invertebrates, all found in great supply.
Where can I find a shellcracker?
Shellcrackers are hard to locate by themselves. Usually the redear sunfish is found within bluegills and channel catfish that are moving up to spawn in the shallows.