So my father and I went river fishing yesterday, in deep southeastern kentucky. While fishing the North Fork of the Kentucky river he managed to catch this fish here:

 

 https://sphotos-b.xx...851895039_n.jpg

 

 

Based on what I can tell from this picture, it's hard to classify... It has no spots, common in a smallmouth, but a long slender body of a spotted bass. Its jaw line does not exceed the eye so that rules out largemouth. We are really VERY stumped. 

 

What really has us puzzled, and this could mean anything, but it also had 2 striped from the gills on both sides that were blue and yellow. Somewhat that you might see in a blue gill, Clearly visible except for in the picture.  

 

Anything helps! Thanks. 

 First Off ~ Welcome to BR ~ !

 

Looks like a Nice Smallmouth bass to me.

 

A-Jay

Yep, smallmouth

Three for a smallmouth.  Smallmouth can have a variety of colorations, from a nearly solid bronze to tiger striped.  Sometimes, they are nearly black.

 

I found out an interesting thing on this year's Road Trip to Pickwick, while fishing with Dinky and 00Mod.  Jeff caught a nice smallmouth with rather bland coloration.  We put it in the live well, and after it had rested and recuperated, it had brilliant coloration.  The fight dramatically affects its coloration. 

 

I suspect most if not all fish go through color changes, relating to their environment.  In water with a heavy algae bloom largemouth bass can lose most of their color and can be predominantly white.  When the water clears, they assume the bold greens and blacks, along with some white.

Smallie. no doubt.

as others have said that is a smallie, being a river fish is probably why its so slender. constantly swimming in moving water would be quite the workout.

Great smallie!

Its a smallie.  Probably lots of fun on the spinning gear and inline spinner!  Congrats and welcome to Bass Resource!
 

Jeff

Immediately could tell it was a smallmouth bass.

Smallie.  Thy can vary a lot in coloration, but...don't normally have spots!  Congrats on a nice fish!