Bass identification: Smallmouth vs Spotted Bass.

I was asked to do a writeup on Smallmouth vs Spotted Bass identification.  It should be noted that Spotted Bass and Smallmouth are known to hybridize in areas where they coexist.



The following guidelines for bass identification are taken from Peter Moyle's “Inland Fishes of California”.  I have omitted those aspects of identification that would require killing the fish for closer inspection.


Smallmouth Bass

Identification:
Smallmouth bass a fairly streamlined for a bass, but have stocky bodies and mouths. 

The maxillae of Smallmouth Bass does not reach the hind margin of their eyes.

The spiny portion of their dorsal fin is only slightly rounded and broadly joined with the soft portion of the dorsal fin.

Body color is greenish brown to bronze with no conspicuous horizontal stripes on the sides, but often faint dark molted vertical bars.

The belly is white, and three dark, faintly iridescent bands radiate from the reddish eyes and mouth on the side of the head.

Spotted Bass

Identification:

Spotted bass look very much like Largemouth bass, with single, irregular, black horizontal stripes on either side (made up of connecting blotches), and maxillae that extend past the middle of the eye.

The break between the two parts of the dorsal fin is not deeply incised. That is, the first dorsal fin is not strongly convex, so the shortest spine on the rear half of the first dorsal fin is more than half the length of the longest spine.

The upper jaw rarely extends beyond the rear margin of the eye.

The lower sides have rows of distinct black spots as opposed to fine speckles.

There are teeth in a rectangular patch on the middle of the tongue.

There is usually a distinct spot at the end of the lateral band at the base of the tail.

We need pictures.  No pictures = not clear! 

We need pictures.  No pictures = not clear! 

I think it is better without pictures because there is variance between individuals of each species, and people will just look at the pictures instead of reading the ID guide

We need pictures.  No pictures = not clear! 

I think it is better without pictures because there is variance between individuals of each species, and people will just look at the pictures instead of reading the ID guide

So the saying: "A picture is worth a thousand words" is wrong? (j/k) 

I am afraid that people will look at a picture of a fish, and focus on an aspect of that fish (color for example) that either has high variance within the species, or is shared by individuals of other species.

We need pictures.  No pictures = not clear! 

I think it is better without pictures because there is variance between individuals of each species, and people will just look at the pictures instead of reading the ID guide

So the saying: "A picture is worth a thousand words" is wrong? (j/k) 

Thousand words? Depends on the accuracy of the picture. 

I am afraid that people will look at a picture of a fish, and focus on an aspect of that fish (color for example) that either has high variance within the species, or is shared by individuals of other species.

I'm just toying with you Adam 

I agree a single pic could be misleading, but it would be very helpful to have multiple pics of pure smbs and spots that show the range of variation within each species, and then a set of pics that shows the range of variation in known/suspected hybrids.  Does DFG have a stock of pics for training or reference that might be able to be accessed and posted?

Thanks for posting this info, frequently run into a few bass that are not clear.

I am afraid that people will look at a picture of a fish, and focus on an aspect of that fish (color for example) that either has high variance within the species, or is shared by individuals of other species.

I'm just toying with you Adam 

I know Sonny

Bird,

I don't know if the department has a collection of Bass ID photos.  Ill ask around later (it is busy season for inland fisheries right now).

Great read. Thanks for sharing!