I've caught thousands of Alabama bass up to almost 5 lbs and less than a couple hundred SM up to 4 lbs.  IMO both in moving water are very tough as are Shoal Bass.  My vote is the Alabama Bass.

River fish are so much stronger.  A 15” river smallmouth in my experience, fights as hard or harder than an 18” lake smallmouth. A big part of that is the river fish head downstream so you are not only fighting the fish, you are fighting the current as well. Then, they’ll jump, put slack in the line and they’re gone….

24 minutes ago, Scott F said:

River fish are so much stronger.  A 15” river smallmouth in my experience, fights as hard or harder than an 18” lake smallmouth. A big part of that is the river fish head downstream so you are not only fighting the fish, you are fighting the current as well. Then, they’ll jump, put slack in the line and they’re gone….

You are right about river fish. I have caught 3 lb Smallmouth out of the river that put a 6 lb reservoir fish to shame as far a fight is concerned. 

Toss up between River Smallies and Spots. They both pull and go crazy when hooked. Love it 

On 4/24/2025 at 4:47 PM, longrangefisher said:

Really good question? I caught 1000s of smallies..amazing fighters. I just fished spotted bay bass the last 3 days. Good god! Wow..it's a horse race. The smallies jump and spit lures. The spots have teeth and tear  out of plastics and are ticked when hooked. It's a push but I give the spotted bay bass a hair of a win. They have giant tails, muscular bodies,  teeth and are angry. Plus they eat almost everything!!! 

 

I have never caught a spot but do they have tails bigger than this smallmouth?

Spotted Bay bass is salt water fish not a fresh water Spotted Bass.

The edge for me is Smallies are aerial jumpers and Spots are not.

Tom

Tom I missed the bay bass part. I was thinking fresh water spots.