Typically, on the TVA lakes, the shellcrackers and bluegills spawn together, clouding the water at times with their fanning. They create circular beds that stand out distinctly in clear, shallow water. The beds are about the size of the top of a 5-gallon bucket with most -- but not all -- of the spawning activity occurring in 3 feet of water or less.

"Maybe the redears move into the spawning areas just a hair earlier," suggested Lowery, who lives in Florence. "It may be an intimidation factor. They move in and stake out the prime spots, just like bigger bass. They create a spawning area and run little fish off."

In most instances, the fish look for hard bottoms around some type of structure, whether wood or plant. The fish often return year after year to spawn in the same locations.

"It's my experience that redears prefer a harder bottom for spawning activity than many people realize," Lowery noted. "I know that on Guntersville we see a lot of them spawning on old roadbeds and along the edges of old boat ramps. They seem to prefer compacted, smaller-size gravel or hard-packed sand."

Although fickle biters at times, shellcrackers provide great sport on light tackle. They use their broad bodies to plane away from fishermen, creating the illusion of battling a moving board. This effect contrasts with a hooked bluegill, which fights in tight circles, but usually succumbs to the pressure of the rod in a matter of seconds.

Shellcrackers emerge from the water as glistening rainbows with color combinations including yellow, gold, green, and even darker shades of gray and black.

TACKLE & BAIT
One of the major draws of bream fishing is that almost every fisherman already owns suitable tackle. Rarely do shellcrackers or bluegills require special gear. Light spinning or spincast rigs or even cane poles can put fish in the boat.

Charles Slaton sticks with one standard outfit and lure presentation at all times. He employs a 5 1/2-foot light-action rod with a small spinning reel spooled with 4-pound-test line. His lure is a 1/32-ounce squirrel tail jig with a green or chartreuse head. He adds a tiny split shot to his line about 12 inches above the jig. Depending on water depth, he clips a weighted cork 2 to 4 feet up the line.

Then, there is one final twist to his presentation.

"I tip that jig with a cricket," Slaton revealed. "It's something that I've gotten used to doing. I like to think of it as having two shots at them."

Some anglers prefer to use only bait. Knowledgeable anglers have largely disproved the old notion that shellcrackers only bite worms. Worms and crickets fished on a No. 2 or 4 hook below a split shot and float deliver plenty of shellcrackers.

BIG GUNTERSVILLE SHELLCRACKERS
The previous references to Lake Guntersville are not just coincidence. Many observers view the sprawling lake in northeast Alabama as the premier shellcracker destination in the state. At least Charles Slaton thinks so. He visits other Alabama waters to guide for crappie, but is quick to suggest why he makes Guntersville his home base in the spring.