hey guys, while i was out fishing today i was admiring the coloring and markings of some of the fish we were catching and i noticed that some of the fish looked just like an ordinary largemouth bass...but others(from the same tank) looked a bit different...they had much prettier markings and i was wondering if they were spotted bass...i have no idea the difference or anything about them other than what i have read/seen on here...here is a pic of what i consider a regular LMB...

and here is a couple close ups of the different looking ones...it seems the black marking along the side are much more noticible and defined

so if anyone can help me out here that would be great....also....if they are spots...what is considered a big spot? same as a LMB? do they get as big or not?

thanks guys

Cliff

they are all LM.

i would consider 6lbs to be a trophy spot.

looks like you guys had fun!

thanks dood!  i wasnt sure...much appreciated....i wonder why some look so nice with their marking and others you cant hardly see the black line? is this due to where in the water colum they spend most of their time?

i don't really know. i have been told, and it seems to be pretty true, that the clearer the water, the more distinct the markings.

If you cant tell by the colors or markings of the fish, just check the tongue, Spots have teeth on their tongue.

Checking the tongue is the only way I can tell.  If you catch a 6 pound spot you won't be lipping that sucker in the boat unless you have a pair of gloves on.  I haven't been on the water in 2 weeks and I still have marks on my thumb and and thumb nail from the teeth.  I have also noticed that they tend to thrash around a lot more than largemouth do.  I also think they fight more than a largemouth.

Jerrod

I have only caught a few down on Neely Henry but it seems like they are the opposite of smallies. Where as a smallie comes out again and again, the spots seemed like they just kept digging down.

I dont know about the spot question but Ive read that when bass live in shallower water and in vegetation then they get darker and when they live in deeper and in brush they are lighter.I gues its in between if they live in deep weeds or shallow timber.

The easiest way to tell is when you catch a bass feel its tongue and spotted bass have a rough patch of skin on the tongue and largemouth are just smooth.

they are all LM.

i would consider 6lbs to be a trophy spot.

looks like you guys had fun!

I agree.

As for the colorings on fish, there's a few different factors, some of which have been said above.  Most fish, salt water included, "light up" when they are in an excited feeding mode, which means that their skin colors get more blood flowing to it, which brings out the more distinctive patterns.  A lot of times when you catch a bass and he's all black in the back and sides, he may have been tired out from the fight and the blood isn't as oxygenated and the skin patterns will fade.  Water temp will also make a difference.  I find bass caught in the colder months will be less dynamicaly colored than warmer water bass.  Bass can also actively change their coloration to fit in with surroundings, much like a salamander or a frog.  Finally, genetics play a part.  Some bass have more color than others just as a result of breeding.  Hope this helps...

thanks guys, i appreciate all the great info!

Cliff

Picture #1 appears to be a Largemouth Bass, while pictures #2 & 3 appear to be Spotted Bass

Spotted Bass

A  Irregular lateral stripe is similar to, but more broken than in largemouth bass.

B  Jaw does not extend beyond the back margin of the eye when mouth is closed.

C  Spots on scales form "rows" of strips on whitish belly area.

Largemouth Bass

A  Definite lateral stripe

B Jaw extends well behind the back margin of the eye when mouth is closed.

Thanks for clearing that up Catt .  I was all set to think they were all LM and now I don't know.  I sure can't help Red so you have to decide who to believe.  That is a nice looking tank though.

they are all LM.

What he said

Here is a largemouth

White bass

Spotted bass

Courtesy of the Arkansas Game & Fish...

Spotted

Largemouth

Smallmouth