Giant Hybrid Sunfish

Type: Nontidal
Region: Central
Location: Local Farm Pond

I caught these giant hybrid sunfish last week on a 1/32 oz football jig tipped with a worm below a bobber at a local farm pond in central Maryland.. I believe these to be green sunfish X bluegill hybrids due to the fin edging and the oversized mouth...a green sunfish trait. The larger fish was darker and at 12.75 inches appeared to display a green sunfish dominance due to the slightly more elongated body shape and lack of barring in coloration. The more colorful, wider, or 'taller' sunfish, displays a bluegill dominance due to body shape and slight barring, and slightly smaller mouth, proportionately. That fish was 12.25 inches, with a 14.75 inch girth.

I believe both of these fish exceeded the two pound mark. Both were released after photos. Now is the time to cash in on the best bluegilling of the year with fish spawning and active in the shallows of many waters. Take a kid fishing! The other photo shows my granddaughter Elena Gronaw with her first ever bluegill from a local pond.