What is the difference between spotted bass and largemouth

Clear editor. Upload or insert images from URL. By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use. Share More sharing options Followers 0. Reply to this topic Start new topic. Recommended Posts. Al Agnew Posted March 2, Posted March 2, Here are the big differences: 1.

Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options Smalliebigs Posted March 2, MOsmallies Like Loading Haris Posted March 3, Choosing Guides for a Casting Rod. The Low Down on Ceramic Inserts. Explaining Fishing Rod Action and Power. Differences Between Largemouth and Spotted Bass. Follow TCF. Almost all of the characteristics are visible in this picture - combined dorsal fin, jaw ending before eye, small scales on the cheek, spotted stripes on the stomach, and significant spotted pigments.

This is a textbook example of a spotted bass! You can see the dorsal fins are connected and there are spotted lines on the stomach. Also check out that red ring around the eye! Largemouth bass without a doubt! The fins are separate, there are no spots on the stomach, and it's clear that huge mouth extends past then eye even with it open.

You can tell this is a spotted bass not so much from the fins or jaw since they are hard to see, but more from the spotted lines along the stomach. Definitely a spotted bass because of the jaw corner ending before the eye, spots all over the stomach, and a clear connected dorsal fin.

This one is a largemouth bass with great coloration. You can tell because the dorsal fins are not connected, the stomach is white without obvious lines of dots, and the cheek scales are the same size as the rest of the body scales.

This is a tricky one because the mouth is open, the dorsal fins aren't all the way up, and the stomach is covered. However, you can tell it is a spotted bass because the stomach does have spotted lines and the cheek scales are smaller than the body scales. Spotted bass also tend to be greenish in color, with paler undersides. They also have a series of dark blotches forming a horizontal pattern along each side where they reach the tail, creating a dark spot at the base.

The scales on a spotted bass will tend to be slightly smaller around its face, or cheeks, compared to the scales on the rest of its body. It may also have scales at the base of its rear dorsal fin. Another identifying feature of the spotted bass is that the two sections of the dorsal fin are joined together to create one dorsal fin, with a slope between the front and rear sections.

They can be found in slow moving freshwater rivers, streams and reservoirs, often around structure and vegetation, and particularly around rocky areas.

Largemouth and spotted bass can often be found in the same bodies of water, which can add variation to your fishing trip. They can sometimes be similar in appearance but hopefully you now know some of the telltale features to look out for when you next reel one in. Remember, the extended jaw of the largemouth will usually be one of the most identifiable features, but also look for the differences on the dorsal fins, tongue and colors. Do you have more success catching one over the other or maybe you prefer catching spotted to largemouth?

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