What is the difference between Smallmouth and Largemouth Bass?

Smallmouth and largemouth bass are not present in the same geographical location; however, they have their place in the same family, which is called the sunfish group. The smallmouth resides in clean water with a fast current, while largemouth prefers more of the muck and less current. The smallmouth enjoys living in colder waters. The two fish have their distinguishable features, where the upper jaw of the largemouth reaches beyond the eye.

On the other hand, the smallmouth has a smaller jaw with the lives not going past the eye point. The largemouth weighs slightly more at around 12 pounds, while the smallmouth weighs approximately 7 pounds. The largemouth has small lines running parallel on its body, and smallmouth has perpendicular lines from top to bottom of its physique, and both are green in color.

Largemouth will hang out at the top of the water, while smallmouth hangs out under the water. Fishermen are the ones who will automatically know the difference between largemouth and smallmouth bass. The largemouth is around all seasons, and they like to swim alone. Smallmouth will often travel in groups with the same size fish. They will usually take the bait of earthworms, crickets, and minnows.

The largemouth bass and the smallmouth bass are two different species of aquatic creatures that have quite some different things in common. In terms of their locations, you will most likely find largemouth bass in water bodies that have woods and logs in them, whereas you will most likely find smallmouth bass in open spaces. The smallmouth bass would prefer clear and fast water body, and probably with just stones at the bottom. Meanwhile, the largemouth would prefer a more cluttered water body with less current. These two creatures also prefer different temperatures of waters, as the largemouth chooses the warmer, while the smallmouth prefers a colder water body. The largemouth also has their upper jaw bring bigger and extending beyond their eyes, whereas the smallmouth do not. The largemouth bass is physically known to attain a bigger size than the smallmouth bass, at a ratio of about 12 to 7 pounds.

There are some people who may think that largemouth and smallmouth bass are the same. One of the things that you will see is that largemouth bass will come with a broad stripe that can run horizontally. Smallmouth bass will not have that. The smallmouth bass will have some lines that are running vertically.

The smallmouth bass will have some marks that will go to the medium point of the eye. A largemouth bass, on the other hand, will have some marks that will go beyond the medium point of the eye. You need to be aware of their features so that you will be able to distinguish their differences.

The smallmouth bass and the largemouth bass are found in different geographical locations. The smallmouth thrives better in wide-open places, while the largemouth likes water bodies with weeds and logs. Smallmouth prefers their water being clear and fast plus gravels at the bottom, while largemouth will prefer more cluttered water with less current.

Largemouth bass also prefers water bodies with higher temperature, while the smallmouth actually prefers water bodies with lower temperature. Largemouth bass has their upper jaws extended beyond their eyes, which brings about their name.

Smallmouth bass, on the contrary, has smaller jaws, and the lines do not extend beyond their eyes. Generally, the largemouth weighs heavier than the smallmouth with a ratio of about 12 pounds to 7 pounds.

The smallmouth bass usually moves in groups with others of similar size, while the largemouths usually swim individually. Largemouths are known to always swim close to the top of the water, while smallmouth bass swims in the deeper part.