Sammons says there are several defining characteristics to look for when inspecting your catch. Now that you are aware of their similarities, let’s go over the many ways we can differentiate between the two when we find ourselves in waters occupied by both Spotted and Largemouth bass. with spotted bass for nearly 15 years. And you’d be right a small percentage of the time. Largemouth and spotted bass both have a dark horizontal line on each side of their bodies. Spots interbreed so readily with other bass that identifying a pure-strain spot can be daunting. It can reach an age of at least seven years. Spotted bass may not really be bass, but don’t tell serious fishermen that fact. Largemouth Bass Vs Spotted Bass - Herren 2019 Bassmaster Elite Series angler Matt Herren joined The Bass University in Gadsden, Alabama to talk about keying in on largemouth or spotted bass. If you’re like most people questioned, you’ll guess the spotted bass. M. punctulatus can reach an overall length of almost 64 cm (25 in), reaching weights of up to 5.2 kg (11 lb). The back edge of the jaw of largemouth bass extends beyond the back of their eyes, unlike the jaw of a spotted bass. Check for a tongue patch . It is noted for the rows of dark spots below the lateral line, which give it its common name. It's important to understand, however, that there are many more black bass species than what many anglers might think. by Sean Thomas. A spotted bass will resemble a largemouth bass in coloration but will have a smaller mouth. The Difference Between a Spotted Bass and Largemouth Bass. Smallmouth bass lack this horizontal line, but may have vertical bars instead. On many lakes around the country, you have a choice to fish for either of these species (and sometimes another still), but they are very different Turns out that there is a lot of overlap between the two species, and in many bodies of water, the spot is actually the later spawner of the two. Physical Differences. Known as spotty, or simply spots, these feisty fish can be found from the Mississippi Basin through the Gulf States and all the way to the Florida Panhandle. Black bass are the most popular freshwater gamefish in the world, largely due to their voracious appetites and outstanding pound-for-pound fighting power. Spotted Bass Vs Largemouth Bass. Spots are actually a member of the sunfish family, also known as Micropterus Punctulatus. Knowing the differences in species between the bass you target not only helps you become a more knowledgeable and experienced angler, but it also helps you understand how each species behaves too. 2. 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