Smallmouth vs Largemouth Bass: Are you a freshwater angler? What’s your favorite freshwater fish? Well, most of you would agree with Bass fish. Black Bass is the most liked fish species in America. Amongst this species, Largemouth and smallmouth bass are outnumbered. People usually look for these fishes when they go out for fishing. Many of us don’t know the difference between a largemouth and smallmouth bass. Sometimes, people misunderstand and mix-up the fish as they are not able to identify its type. No matter, you’re pro or a rookie; there are simple trails through which you can identify the type of bass within no time. So, here are all the details about the Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass that you need to know. How to get North Carolina Fishing License?
Smallmouth vs Largemouth Bass
Basically, both the fish are look alike. They are of same size and shape. So, it is difficult for many to find a difference. Both the fish may appear in the same water. Hence, a lot more confusing. Both the fish are marine as well as freshwater fish so it is hard to differentiate between both. So, this article will help you to understand the difference between both the species. The best Smallmouth vs Largemouth Bass difference is given down here.
Difference Between Largemouth And Smallmouth Bass
- Minor Differences
As the name depicts, Largemouth are usually large in size and Smallmouth are half of Largemouth. But it’s never the same. Some smallmouth bass grow exceptionally and can compete with Largemouth in size. Exceptions are there in Largemouth also. Some fishes don’t grow up to the usual growth. So, both the fishes remain at par in size.
Largemouth Bass is known as “Green Bass” while Smallmouth is known as “Brown Bass”. These names are kept on basis of their color. But, differentiating on the basis of color would be uncertain as there are many other factors that may affect the color and appearance of the fish.
Smallmouth Bass is active fish and these fishes usually jump more than the other species. If it gets caught in your fish hook, you’ll be able to tell the difference through its movements whether it’s Largemouth or Smallmouth. In comparison to Smallmouth bass, Largemouth only jump once or twice and gives up easily after getting caught.
- Major Difference
Now, there are certain traits within both fishes that can easily help us to identify them as Largemouth or Smallmouth Bass.
Largemouth has large mouth and upper jaw that extends beyond eye while on the other hand Smallmouth’s upper jaw levels with the eye. Largemouth has green body with horizontal shade of color that can easily be identified while Smallmouth has brown color and vertically shaded skin.
Now, if you look at the dorsal fins of both the fish, you’ll easily find the difference. Large mouth has a deep notch between its fins that separates its dorsal fin in 2 parts whereas Smallmouth has no gap within its dorsal fins.
Smallmouth vs. Largemouth Bass Habitat
Well, after knowing their major and minor differences, you should also know about their habitat from where you can find them easily. However, Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass prefer different surroundings and environment as their habitat which will make a lot easier for you to find the specific one which you are looking for. You all can check out everything about the Smallmouth vs Largemouth Bass.
As compared to largemouth, the smallmouth bass is found in more clear water, particularly streams and rivers. This species mainly prefer such lakes and reservoirs that have rocky areas with sandy bottoms for their habitat. On the other hand, Largemouth prefers thick cover for their habitat which might ranges from stumps and rocks to weed beds and grasses.
The temperature of the water also matters for their habitat, Smallmouth Bass prefers much cooler water as compared to the largemouth bass. Also, Smallmouth can be found in still water and in the running water as well, while, Largemouth usually avoid strong currents.
Smallmouth intakes crayfish, insects, and smaller fish whereas the diet of largemouth bass mainly consists of small bait fish, shrimp, insects, small fish, snails, frogs, etc.
Though, largemouth is native to eastern as well as central US along with certain parts of Mexico, but nowadays it can be found worldwide. On the other hand, Smallmouths are native to the upper and middle river basins of the Mississippi, Hudson bay basin as well as the Great Lakes.
Best Season To Fish For Largemouth And Smallmouth Bass
Both the species spawn in the spring season, mainly in between April and June months and that’s the most preferred time for fishing the Large and Smallmouth Bass. However, most of the anglers prefer to fish for largemouth in other seasons as well but mainly prefer to catch both the species in the spring and summer seasons. Which one is better in Smallmouth vs Largemouth Bass?
As we have said above that smallmouth tend to be found in much cooler water temperature as compared to largemouth, therefore, it is becomes quite difficult for the anglers to fish for smallmouth in the winter and autumn season. Because, at these two seasons the water temperature drops and as smallmouth prefers cooler temperature, this species migrate to more deep pools and then enter to the semi-hibernation.
The water bodies and the locations also matters many times while fishing, therefore, experienced anglers know that each water body or the different location have their own different peak seasons for the certain fish species that they are looking for. Because of which the anglers must do some research on the climatic or weather-related and seasonal reports before selecting a particular location for fishing.
Apart from the seasonal change, the anglers must understand their behavioural patterns along with their habitat which we have above explained. These will help in hunting them down in effective way and your time and money will also be saved if you go with proper planning.
Key Fishing Tips For Largemouth And Smallmouth Bass
Before going to fish for Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, you must need to have proper information regarding both the species which will help you out to fish more efficiently. Here are some tips that you should consider before going for fishing. Now check more about the Smallmouth vs Largemouth Bass here.
Smallmouth Bass
For the Smallmouth Bass, you can select any of the baitcasters or spinning rods with medium action as these both work perfectly for this species. Also, luring this species is not an issue here as Smallmouth Bass takes almost every bait that you offer to them while fishing. However, make sure not to fish under the bright sunny light because their eyesight is much better than Largemouth so try not to go for the heavy line.
Largemouth Bass
First of all, you must choose the right gear for catching Largemouth Bass such as go for baitcasting rods in spite of spinning rods as it will add more power and better control when it arises to the cast. Also make sure if the fish is on the bed, your baits will be completely ignored except if they’re exactly under her nose. So, in such situations, try to flip and pitch into the grasses where they lie in wait with the help of jigs or large plastics.
Smallmouth vs Largemouth Bass: Which one is better?
Both Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass have their own speciality which makes each of the most preferable individually. While fishing for these two, the anglers need to cover almost every detail of these species that look, behave and breed similar but have a lot of minor and major difference which one can understand with experience and proper knowledge.
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