Smallmouth And Largemouth Comparison.

[FunkJishing]

knowing that fishing for smallmouth and fishing for largemoth are not exactly the same I thought it'd be cool if we could work togeather to hash out the diffrences and things to keep in mind when fishing for either of the two species.

 

[roadwarrior]

A couple of fundamental differences involve current, structure and cover, especially in a river environment.

Generally, smallmouth prefer ambush in current and at breaks. Largemouth for the most part are lazy and

prefer slack water. Both species are attracted to structure, but given the choice largemouth seek cover or

in combination with vegetation.  

[FunkJishing]

A couple of fundamental differences involve current, structure and cover, especially in a river environment.

Generally, smallmouth prefer ambush in current and at breaks. Largemouth for the most part are lazy and

prefer slack water. Both species are attracted to structure, but given the choice largemouth seek cover or

in combination with vegetation.  

great info as always man, cant wait to hear from others too.

[HoosierHawgs]

If you are on a northern cottage country lake w/both your smallmouth will sometimes be roaming around, you can find them w/a topwater, and then if the boil your bait, slow it down w/a tube where he missed your bait. If they're are laydowns near the bank target those w/ stick worms for largemouth. When it comes to big differences, what was said above is spot on. Also, smallmouth have a reputation for being very fussy at times.

[FunkJishing]

lets not forget that largemouth are generally larger than smallmouth, though smallmouth are known to fight harder.

[Senko lover]

Main differences:

• Appearance: Smallmouth are a brownish color, and Largemouth are a green/grey.
• Location (sometimes intermingled but often separate) Smallmouth like colder water, Largemouth tend to like warmer.
• Fight: Smallmouth fight harder
• Size: Largemouth can get twice as big as smallmouth. A 5 pound smallmouth is considered a trophy.

[tatertester]

Largemouth tend to be more heavy cover oriented and shallow water, while smallmouth like rocks, wood ,sparse cover ,and prefer clean clear water , often found in off shore locations and suspended. Similiar lures , but usually a little smaller for smallmouth.

[J Francho]

Largemouth are more territorial than smallmouth.  In lakes where there are only smallmouth, they tend to occupy prime real estate that a largemouth normally would.  There are VERY few lakes where this is the case though.  When both species are present, smallies either wander, or occupy the next best location, often deeper and cooler.  Some wander sop much, they key on baitfish, not structure, so you have to learn how to read super structure, and how huge schools of bait relate to it.  The notion that largemouth are a larger species isn't exactly true, either.  Northern largemouth bags are often overshadowed by smallmouth bags when smallmouth are accessible.  On the Great Lakes, while there are smallies in the warmer protected bays, they are dominated by largemouth, while the open water lake, and it's huge schools of pelagic bait are the domain of the smallmouth. I'll tell you this much about growing up on Port Bay, Lake Ontario: while I love largemouth fishing more than just about anything, if the weather cooperated, I'd leave the bay, and look for smallies in the big lake.

[FunkJishing]

this is great info guys lol i love this site, find out anything you need to.

[cyclops2]

I have seen schools of smallmouths feed on something right on the bottom. Never stopped. Even when I got 20' away. I have NEVER seen larger  largemouths school up to feed.  They are really very different feeders.

 

Smallies have a much better cooked flavor.

[HoosierHawgs]

this is great info guys lol i love this site, find out anything you need to.

Learning a lot here for sure. But nothing is a substitute for time on the water. We here it a million times, but you can read, watch all the videos you want, but the guy with a rod in his Han the most will be the best outdoorsman. Learn through expirementation and hey in on the subtle nuances of the specific area you fish.

[FunkJishing]

Learning a lot here for sure. But nothing is a substitute for time on the water. We here it a million times, but you can read, watch all the videos you want, but the guy with a rod in his Han the most will be the best outdoorsman. Learn through expirementation and hey in on the subtle nuances of the specific area you fish.

yea man most deff.

[BammerBass]

Largemouth really seem to be more of "loner" type fish, whereas have heard smallmouth school more often. Dont hsve very many smallmouth in my area, so I dont really know for sure. But I've definitely noticed largemouth tend to do their own thing.

[HoosierHawgs]

Largemouth really seem to be more of "loner" type fish, whereas have heard smallmouth school more often. Dont hsve very many smallmouth in my area, so I dont really know for sure. But I've definitely noticed largemouth tend to do their own thing.

 

This can be true, but they will often stack up on points or pieces of cover. Always make a cast to a spot where you caught a fish. His buddy could be hanging out right there

[BammerBass]

True. One of the times I went fishing a month ago, I tossed my panfish assassin out there ans had about 3 1 lb bass gather round it and one thst looked perhaps upward of 3lbs as well, couldn't get any to bite that time but yeah, goes to show largemouth bass aren't always loners, a lot of times they can be though.

[everythingthatswims]

Smallies in VA are mostly in rivers (I have only caught one in a lake, that isn't supposed to have smallies), they tend to cooperate better than largemouth and will eat at all times of the day with the correct presentation (just DON'T let them see you). They like to relate to rocks with current whereas largemouth hang out in laydowns or in the slowest moving pocket of water they can find. Smallmouth will also eat much smaller baits on a regular basis in warm water.

[Ozark_Basser]

Smallmouth also seem to be more of a sight feeding fish than largemouth.  I don't see what the big deal is with small lures and smallmouth bass.  I've caught more bigger smallies on larger gaudy lures than anything else.  With big floating jerkbaits, largemouth will come up to one and just sort of grab it or try to suck it in a lot of times. I have rarely seen this with smallies. Smallies will swoop up and try to kill it and about jerk the rod out of your hand. 

[MassBass]

Smallmouth relate to rocks, largemouth relate to weeds.

[Ozark_Basser]

Smallmouth relate to rocks, largemouth relate to weeds.

They both relate to either one. 

[WRB]

Spotted bass and smallmouth bass are more closely related because they are both river bass historically.

LMB bass are more lake bass preferring still or very little current, this makes them more stationary whereas smallmouth are roamer's and hunt their prey.

All 3 bass are also very adaptable to the environment and adjust habits as needed to survive or hunt prey.

All 3 bass, spots, smallies and largemouth are sunfish and not true bass.

Tom

[cyclops2]

I thought I had a record Small Mouth last summer Catching & releasing smallies on the deep drop off side of a island.  Crap !! Hooked the ledge. The ledge is moving down & out steadily . 50'  100'   on 4 # .  Finally bring it close enough. A good 10 # fresh water Drum.