Redbreast Sunfish (Lepomis auritus) also go by other names such as longear and redbelly sunfish or bream.
The redbreast sunfish is probably the most abundant sunfish in the Eastern U.S. in the states bordering the Atlantic. The extend their range West to Texas but also become far less frequently caught the farther west you go.
The redbreast sunfish has the same general shape of most sunfish. It is olive above, fading to bluish-bronze on the belly. During the spawning season the maless have bright orange-red bellies hence the name redbreast sunfish. Like the longear they have several light blue streaks radiating from the mouth. But this species isn’t quite as colorful, gillflap isn’t lined in a white border and the body shape of the longear is more round.
Redbreast sunfish commonly grow to about 6 to 8 inches. Larger specimens are possible but not very common.