Which Do You Enjoy More?

[Bass Angler Magazine]

Which do you enjoy more fishing for largemouth or spotted bass?

Which would you like to learn more about?

[kylek]

Largemouth for me as I am not sure where to go to catch a spotted bass around me.

I would like to learn more about the largemouth and summer time patterns.

[RobertBG]

I wouldnt mind learning a little something about spotted bass myself

I'd say I enjoy lmb more but thats because I know where to go to catch them vs very little about spots.

[matstone7]

We don't have spots around here so, LM it is.

[Sam]

Learning about all species of bass.

All black bass belong to the genus Micropterus. Biologists recognize the following seven species of black bass within this genus.

You go from Teleosts to Perciformes to Centrachidae to Lapominae to the seven:

Largemouth

Smallmouth

Spotted

Shoal

Redeye (Coosa Bass)

Suwannee

Guadalupe

Largemouth are Micropterus Salmoides.

Spotted bass is the third most prevalent black bass species behind largemouth and smallmouth.

I would like to catch one of each species before I croak.

Right now I will stick with largemouth.

[Bankbeater]

I don't have any spots around here, and smallies are 1-1/2 to 2 hours away. Largemouth it is.

[jdw174]

Being as how my home lake supports all three, I just fish for whatever one decides to bite what I'm tossing at the time. But if I have to pick one....LM.

[tholmes]

Like some others, I enjoy catching largemouth (and smallmouth) because they are more available. I'm sure there are spotted bass around these parts, but I don't know specific locations.

I would like to learn more about smallmouth, specifically how to locate them in the summer.

Tom

[Darren.]

Largies. Spots, aka Kentucky Bass are not as prolific throughout Virginia, I believe. But we've got 'em.

Then again, I have to look through my pictures to see if I've caught any spots. Maybe I do need to know more about 'em...

[basshole8190]

i was probably 4 yrs old when i caught my first spotted bass little did i know then they look very similar to a LM (at leats here in east AL, west GA) main differences in them include there lateral line patterns and the tooth patch on there tounge area. i cant choose between the two theyre both so much fun to catch and spots have the bonejarring strikes i fish for, and most of them here in my area are only 1.5lbs on average and fight like a 5lb LM. But the LM here get BIG!!! and i love wenching in a hawg LM in the double digits which isnt that uncommon here ive caught 3 this year with the biggest going just above 13lbs.

[WRB]

Depending on the region you bass fish there are at least 2 separate largemouth bass and spotted bass species that tend to get lumped tougher as the same bass.

Northern largemouth bass are micropterus slmoniddes, the Florida Largemouthbis is a separate bass micropterus salamoides floridanus; different scale counts and DNA, grows to be at least 25% larger. When transplanted into the same lakes as northern largemouth the Florida largemouth behave differently, more wary and prefers larger bait fish.

The same is true with spotted bass; the northern spotted bass punetulatus Pune, the Alambama spotted bass punetulatus henshalli. The northern spotted bass are smaller than the Alabama spotted and far more agressive when stocked in the same lakes and rivers. The Alabama spotted bass grows to nearly 50% larger size than the northern spotted bass. Both spotted bass species are more agressive than largemouth bass and prefer habitate similar to smallmouth bass; less cover and deeper structure areas. Spots will put up a good strong fight pound for pound equal to smallmouth, very strong bass!

If you know how and where to catch smallmouth, you should be able to locate spotted bass. If you prefer larger size spots, fish waters with Alabama spots and the same is true with largemouth; Florida largemouth grow larger.

Spots will inter grade with smallmouth and northern LMB inter grade with Florida LMB with living in the same waterways and creates problems trying to determine if you have pure species with several bass species today.

Tom

[roadwarrior]

Well, most of the guys I know in the Mid South keep all the legal spots they catch.

Personally, I would like all limits for this species to be eliminated in an attempt to

eradicate the pests. In many lakes and some river systems, Kentucky bass have

replaced populations of both smallmouth and largemouth bass.

[Bass Angler Magazine]

Spots are more fun if you're looking for numbers

[WRB]

Well, most of the guys I know in the Mid South keep all the legal spots they catch.

Personally, I would like all limits for this species to be eliminated in an attempt to

eradicate the pests. In many lakes and some river systems, Kentucky bass have

replaced populations of both smallmouth and largemouth bass.

Kentucky's are northern spots, rarely exceed 14", average about 12".Few bass anglers would be happy catching dinks all day!

Tom

[SudburyBasser]

Like others I don't have spotted anywhere near me so I'd vote for largemouth.

[real_horror_show]

i have never caught a Spotted, so LMB it is. Love catching these guys/gals

[Jay Ell Gee]

Kentucky's are northern spots, rarely exceed 14", average about 12".Few bass anglers would be happy catching dinks all day!

Tom

While I will agree that these bass tend to be lower in size on average, the spots in my little creeks and larger river systems in my neck of the woods (Louisiana) are an absolute blast to catch any day on the long rod. They are excellent fighters and can exceed two pounds. At this size, the fight is tremendous (for their size).

I enjoy them both, but I have yet to catch my first lunker largemouth, so I suppose LMB it is. Winter and summer patterns would be especially helpful.

[NorcalBassin]

I catch a lot more spots out here than anything and they grow 8+ pounds in my "home" lake. It's a bit of a treat to catch LM, so they get my vote since it's about 20:1 for me.

[Grizzn N Bassin]

Large mouth,, nothin like it