Is there any way to physically differentiate between the two species? These seem  identical to me, outside of their size. 

https://www.in-fisherman.com/editorial/differentiating-alabama-bass-from-spotted-bass/156198

 

It basically says yes, if you want to count 70 scales using a magnifying glass.  Or send a sample off for DNA analysis.  

The Georgia DNR identification site says:
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"Spotted bass and Alabama bass are very similar, but spotted bass have blotches above the lateral band that touch the first dorsal fin, while on an Alabama bass the blotches do not touch the first dorsal fin."
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And then they have those two pictures, and I can't see what they're talking about.
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I've seen other sites that say a DNA test is the only way to be sure, or you can count dots in the lateral line with a microscope. I mean if it's that hard to tell, who cares unless you've got a record?  I fish in the upper Chattahoochee basin, and I may be catching some Alabama bass, but to me, they're all spots. I noticed there's no record listed for Alabama bass on the Georgia site.
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https://georgiawildlife.com/fishing/identification
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https://georgiawildlife.com/fishing/recordprogram

 

 

Northern strain Spotted Bass known as Kentucky Spotted Bass. Identifier 60-68 lateral line pore scales.

Southern strain Spotted Bass  known as Alabama Spotted Bass. Identifier 68-75 lateral line pore scales.

Like Florida strain LMB vs Northern strain LMB scale counts can visually separate the different strains, coloration varies greatly and unreliable identifier.

Tom

I have caught both spotted bass and Alabama bass, they both look very similar. Easiest way to tell the difference is knowing what body of water you are fishing in, some places only have spotted bass, other places have Alabama bass. It is best to send a picture to a Fisheries Biologist in the state you are fishing in and tell him/her where you are fishing in for proper identification of the bass you caught.

They are both delicious. Local game and fish is scared of the Alabama bass, they prefer anglers eat them all. Hooray for me 

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission says 

Quote

Spotted Bass are native to the mountain drainages of southwestern North Carolina and have also been introduced into W. Kerr Scott Reservoir in Wilkes County, after which they became established in the upper Yadkin River. Everyplace else in the state, any fish anglers have been catching that looks like a Spotted Bass is actually an Alabama Bass.

But.... they list the state record spotted bass out of the region indicated.   They consider spotted bass an invasive species.   

As stated above, typically I go by what is in the water historically. We don't really have Alabamas where I'm at, it's all spotties afaik. They don't get very big, lake record here is like 4lbs.