Largemouth & Spotted Bass: The Ultimate Comparison
Identifying similar black bass can be frustrating, especially when closely related species share overlapping colors, markings and habitat. For anglers, it’s important to know what kind of fish they have caught on their line. Different fish have different values, especially if you catch something rare. Although experienced anglers might not find this difficult at all, beginners are always sure to struggle.
Spotted and largemouth bass are the most popular freshwater game fish among anglers. Learning how to differentiate between these two fish is important because, depending on where you are fishing, there will surely be limitations placed on the number of each species you can keep. Not knowing the difference can lead to penalties.
Catching these two fish also requires using different fishing techniques, so to make your job easier, you should go in with a clear goal in mind. Keep reading to learn how to spot the differences between spotted vs largemouth bass keep on reading.
Largemouth Bass: Defining Features
Largemouth bass, also known as Micropterus salmoides, is a freshwater game fish from the Centrarchidae family. Adult largemouth bass commonly fall in the low-to-mid teens through 20-plus inches depending on age and habitat, but weight varies widely and should not be used as a primary identification feature.
The main color of this fish is olive green, darker on the back and lighter toward the belly, where it fades to white. The main feature that makes this fish noticeable is the large hinged mouth that extends past the eye.
They tend to live in areas with many hiding places, such as rocks and weeds, but during the summer, they prefer highly vegetated, shallow areas with abundant prey. Another very noticeable feature of this fish is the dorsal fins, which are often separated with a deep notch between them.
Spotted Bass: Defining features
Spotted bass, Micropterus punctulatus, also belong to the sunfish family Centrarchidae. The species can reach about 24 inches according to USGS, although most fish encountered by anglers are smaller.
Spotted bass are usually green to olive with a darker lateral band and rows of spots or blotches below the lateral line. The spotted bass is known to have a smaller mouth that does not go beyond the eye, like in the largemouth bass.
Spotted bass also have scales on the base of the second dorsal fin, connected dorsal fins, and a rectangular tooth patch on the tongue. These are among the traits described by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and USGS. This fish is often found in clear water, and they prefer to inhabit rockier and gravelly areas. Spotted bass can hybridize with other black bass species in some waters, including smallmouth bass, but identification should rely on physical traits rather than assuming a fish is a hybrid.
Spotted Bass vs Largemouth: Similarities & Differences
When comparing largemouth vs spotted bass a lot of differences are easy to spot, but they also have a lot of similarities. Some of the similarities between these two fish include:
- Similar prey. Both species eat fish, crayfish, insects and other available forage, but diet shifts with fish size, season and habitat.
- Overlap in habitat. Both occur in reservoirs and rivers, but spotted bass are strongly associated with rocky, gravelly habitat and flowing water, while largemouth bass more often favor warmer, slower water with vegetation, wood, docks and other cover.
- Adaptable. As long as they have a reliable food source, both species can survive in different conditions without difficulty.
Aside from the clear differences in size, jaw, dorsal fin, color, and scales, when we compare the largemouth bass vs the spotted bass, there are other prominent distinctions between the two:
- Behavior. They are different species, and fight behavior varies by fish size, current, depth, season and individual fish. Spotted bass are often associated with open-water or current-oriented habitat, while largemouth commonly relate more closely to cover.
- Tongue. Largemouth bass has a smooth tongue, while spotted bass has rough patches.
- Size. Largemouth bass generally grow larger than spotted bass. USGS lists spotted bass to about 61 cm (24 inches), while trophy largemouth can substantially exceed typical spotted-bass size.
We highlighted the main differences between the largemouth bass vs spotted bass in the table below:
| Feature | Spotted Bass | Largemouth Bass |
| Scientific name | Micropterus punctulatus | Micropterus salmoides |
| Upper jaw | Usually ends near or before the rear edge of the eye. | Usually extends beyond the rear edge of the eye on adults. |
| Dorsal fins | First and second dorsal fins are more clearly connected. | Deeper notch between the spiny and soft dorsal portions. |
| Tongue | Usually has a rough rectangular tooth patch. | Usually lacks the prominent rectangular tongue patch used to identify spotted bass. |
| Markings | Dark lateral band with rows of spots or blotches below the lateral line. | Green to olive body with a dark horizontal band or broken lateral blotches. |
| Typical habitat | Rock, gravel, current, reservoirs, streams and offshore structure. | Vegetation, wood, docks, backwaters and slower warm-water habitat. |
| Relative size | Usually smaller; USGS lists the species to about 24 inches. | Generally grows larger and supports much heavier trophy fish. |
What’s Better: Spotted vs Largemouth Bass
The decision on whether spotted vs largemouth bass is better is based on personal preferences. Both fish have similar nutritional values, so comparing them based on these criteria shows no difference.
Both species are popular game fish. Which one an angler prefers depends on the water, available habitat, local regulations and fishing style rather than one species being inherently “better” or easier.
When fishing for the spotted bass, the best place to look is in cooler and fast-paced waters, usually in spring or fall, when the water isn’t that warm around rocky areas. If you are after largemouth bass, the best season to catch them is spring, when temperatures are warming up around vegetated areas.
Catching Spotted vs. Largemouth Bass
Spotted bass are commonly associated with clear to moderately stained reservoirs and rivers, especially around rock, gravel, current and offshore structure. Largemouth bass use a wider range of shallow and deep habitat and often relate strongly to vegetation, wood, docks and other cover. Both species can be caught deep or shallow depending on season and forage.
You can catch both species with various baits and lures, but the general rule of thumb is that larger baits and lures work better for Largemouth than Spotted Bass.
Largemouth and spotted bass are both popular sport fish and can provide strong fights on appropriate tackle. Harvest rules vary by state and waterbody, so identify the fish correctly and check local regulations before keeping one.
Concluding Remarks on Spotted Bass vs Largemouth Bass
A comparison of spotted bass and largemouth bass shows that the two fish are pretty similar despite their differences. Even their physical traits can be very similar. Adult spotted bass are very similar to smaller largemouth bass, which can confuse many beginner anglers.
The most reliable differences are physical identification traits such as jaw length, dorsal-fin connection, tongue tooth patch and body markings. If you haven’t been in the game of fishing for a long time, then be careful with what type of bass you are trying to catch. The largemouth bass is usually tough to catch and control if you don’t have the right skills and experience.
Largemouths and Spots are neighbors, so catching an exciting Bass combo is likely. So now, you have it. You can tell if your catch is a Spotted Bass or a Largemouth Bass.
Your turn. Have you ever caught one of these two fish before? What do you prefer to catch, maybe smallmouth bass? Let us know in the comments below.
