Among our native fish species, two are standouts — bluegill, or bream, and redear sunfish, or shellcracker. Lake county anglers of all ages seek these panfish year-round. Bream are cooperative.

If bluegill and shellcrackers (collectively known as bream) routinely grew to weights of 5-6 pounds or more, we would have far less bass tournaments on the nation’s waters. Pound for pound, the feisty ...

1. In Lakeland, crickets and grass shrimp are being sold like crazy as shellcracker have been hot. On Saddle Creek, look for catfish using chicken liver and cut bait. Bass have been hitting on darker ...