Redbreast Sunfish are a smaller sunfish, usually found in streams. They rarely exceed a half-pound in weight and their maximum size is about a pound and a half. Also called redbreast bream, robin, yellowbelly sunfish, sun perch, redbelly, and river bream, they are common in the Southeastern United States.

Redbreast Sunfish are very common in the Atlantic Drainage and are found in most habitats you would associate with Smallmouth Bass. While the Redbreast cannot reach the maximum size of 2 to 3 pounds achieved by Redears or Bluegills it is an incredible game fish on light tackle. They seem to do best in larger rivers and streams with good flow; in smaller streams with less oxygen Green Sunfish are more common. They do not thrive well in ponds. If you throw a plastic or crank bait for Smallmouth under 2 inches in the Potomac, Shenandoah, and Rappahannock rivers you will catch a Redbreast. They are opportunistic feeders taking any thing that will fit in there mouth. The fry focus on aquatic insects and crawfish larva, the larger fish on minnows, fry, adult crawfish, and insects. Fish weighing around a pound are common and fight better then a Smallmouth of the same weight. There is no wrong way to fish for them, just be sure to use light tackle for maximum enjoyment. Redbreast Sun Fish can easily be confused with other species. The Yellow Breast (not red) is the best way to tell them apart from Redear Sunfish. They display similar colors as some Male Bluegills but have a less rounded shape and a darker and longer earflap. The earflap is also the best way to distinguish it from the Longer Sunfish.

Redbreasts can be taken on typical sunfish baits (insects, worms, smal leeches, and larvaeA) but they will also take small minnows quite well. Small artificials work wonders. Redbreast are one of the few sunfish often caught at twilight and even after nightfall.