Freshwater · Spring to fall best; March to October in warm swamp waters
Flier
Centrarchus macropterus
A round, deep-bodied sunfish relative built for slow swamp water, with an anal fin nearly as large as the dorsal fin. A dusky teardrop under the eye helps identify this quiet fish of southern cypress swamps, sloughs and blackwater creeks, where it hovers in shade and picks off small prey.
Seasons · Peak
Identifying features
- Anal fin nearly as large as the dorsal fin — unique among local sunfishes
- Dusky teardrop mark under the eye
- Very round, deep and compressed body
- Rows of dark spots forming faint stripes along the side
- Large mouth for a sunfish, reaching back toward the eye
Habits
- Hovers in shade around cypress knees, timber and weeds
- Feeds on small fish, insects, snails and crustaceans
- Spawns in spring, males fanning nests in shallow vegetation
- Most active in warm, slow, acidic blackwater
- Shy and cover-bound; rarely found in open or fast water
Distribution
Where to find them
- Georgia's Okefenokee fringe swamps and blackwater creeks
- Carolina cypress sloughs and oxbow lakes
- Florida vegetated backwaters and slow canal edges
Where they live
How to catch them
Small baits and flies in cypress swamps River
Rig: Light spinning or fly rod, small hook or fly fished slowly in sloughs and blackwater creeks around cypress knees
Bait/lure: Grass shrimp, small worms and tiny flies
Key tip: Fish the shade tight to knees and roots — fliers hover in cover and will not chase far.
Micro jigs and grass shrimp under a float Lake
Rig: Ultralight rod, small float set 1-2 ft deep, micro jig or hook with grass shrimp around flooded timber
Bait/lure: Micro jigs and grass shrimp
Key tip: Keep the float still and let the bait hang in the timber; twitch gently to draw a strike.
Best baits & lures
Baseline setup
- Rod: Ultralight to light 5.5-6.5 ft spinning rod or 3-4 weight fly rod
- Line: 4-6 lb mono
- Terminal: Size 8-10 hooks, micro jigs, small floats and split shot
Recommended gear for this species
Rod · Best value
9' 5-weight fly rod outfit
≈ US$180-260
Covers chironomid lakes and small rivers with one setup.
Flies · Budget
Chironomid assortment (30 patterns)
≈ US$25-40
Chironomids are 60% of a lake rainbow's diet in spring.
Picks come from our rule library — never paid placements. Prices are guides; affiliate links may earn us a commission.
Typical size
Common 4-7 in (10-18 cm); large fish to about 8 in (20 cm) and under 1 lb (0.45 kg)
On the table
Fair — sweet but small and bony; most are released or kept only in numbers as panfish.
Similar species
WarmouthWarmouth is mottled brown with a larger mouth and a much smaller anal fin; flier is rounder with an anal fin nearly as big as the dorsal and a dusky teardrop
Spotted SunfishSpotted sunfish is a small Lepomis with bright spots, a black ear flap and a normal small anal fin; flier is deeper and rounder with a huge anal fin and teardrop markRegulations vary by area and can change in-season — always check the official rules for your area before you fish. Regulations guide →
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