Fat Largemouth, spotted bass or hybrid???

[Triton_Mike]

This is one of the toughest pics I have had to decipher.  So many things point towards a Spot but it also has some characteristics of a Largemouth.  The tooth patch is NOT ALWAYS a indicator on it being a spot but if there are very little spots in the area and it had a patch I'd have to call it a spot but with some hesitation.  But for the record I'm saying it's a hybrid between the two and a very good picture of one.  The bronze coloring on the back , the smaller mouth and the diamond checkering on the belly say spot.  The tail, body shape and side coloration of the fish say largemouth.  If the doral fins were lifted up I would probably be able to say 100% what species the fish is.  THis is coming from someone who guides for spots LOL.  But if you had to make me pick spot or largemouth I'd have to go spot on this one.  

T Mike

[Guest DavidGreen]

Looks like a well feed bass.....Like abelfisher posted one sure way to know would be "Check for a tongue patch"..

Either way LMB,SMB,SB, that is a nice fish.

3.74lb spotted bass from muddy dark water. KS state record is 4.74lb, just missed...... ;D

This one had a 1/2" round dark rough patch on the tongue. Confirmed by DFG and released....

Tight Lines!        

[Bass Hammer]

Pfunk thanks that was cool.

CSI BASS

[Pond-Pro]

Intresting. I say its a largemouth. I agree with Chris; If it was a fast growing fish, the body would be bigger than the head and mouth. Another possibility is that this fish might have a genetic alteration. :-/ If it is a spot its a really fat spot!

[IM_Wormy]

"At first glance, spotted bass are almost indistinguishable from largemouths. A second look at a few telltale characteristics makes identification easy, though. Spotted bass usually have a sandpaper-like tooth patch on the tongue, which largemouths lack. Also, the rear of the jaw does not extend behind the eye as it does in largemouths, and finally, the spiny and soft dorsal fins are connected with a shallow notch not reaching all the way to the body."

Taken from http://www.georgiasportsmanmag.com/fishing/bass-fishing/GA_0505_01/

Here is an id page with pictures!http://www.bassfishingnetwork.com/articles/bassid.html

[basspro48]

What part of VA are you in?  

Because the only body of water I know around me with spots in it is the Pamunkey and Mattaponi Rivers.    

I am living in Mechanicsville in central VA right now,

if you ever need a fishing partner let me know... ;D ;D