In celebration of freshwater shore diving (with video)

[2airishuman]

Around here the bluegills are typically called "brim" and of that species there are "shell crackers" which are large enough to crack freshwater clams and easily weight a pound or more. The others called "red ears" are just as big but wider and you can filet them and not deal with the bones. Just a little local info...

Local names vary. I believe the "red ears" you're referring to are called pumpkinseeds around here.

We spear those dudes, but they are more fun to fish them, equal to a 4lb. bass in fighting fervor, especially on the fly rod.

In Minnesota, fishing regulations prohibit spearing of anything other than "rough fish," unfortunately, despite a number of lobbying efforts to get that changed. Rules in neighboring states are more relaxed.