Fish-Hawk.Net

I normally distinguish between Large and smallies by them either having a dotted horizontal stripes or vertical lines.

This one doesn't heave either.. no markings...

https://imgur.com/a/YUjNtxn

What is it? And how do you know?

thanks

That's a nice looking, and very clearly, smallmouth...

Two ways you distinguish it beyond the stripes/bars vs lines:

1. The easiest is by the depth (or lack of depth) in the notch on its dorsal fin. On a largemouth, the notch goes deeper (all the way to the back / body) vs a smallmouth which is much shallower

2. The jawline does not extend beyond the eye. If you look at a bass from tip of mouth to the gills, corner of the jaw is in FRONT of the eye (closer to the tip of the mouth). In a largemouth, the jaw line is beyond the eye line. Thus, the bigger mouth....

Here is a link:

https://fishingbooker.com/blog/smallmou ... outh-bass/

Hi, all

This is smallmouth.
Easy to distinguish.
Largemouth bass has a mouth that reaches behind his eyes.
This one has shorter mouth...

Regards,
Livebaitpro.

A real easy way to tell the difference is to........... simply look at it !!!!!!

Like the others have indicated colouration and patterns is a secondary characteristic for identification of basses. The extension of the jaw at or behind the jaw is a key primary characteristic.

Thats a french bass.