Largemouth or Smallmouth?

[tboydva]

I fished a local stream/river recently and caught both SM and LM about the same size (18").  This (and this thread) forced me to think about the difference.  From my experience, smallmouth tend to run all over (up and downstream) and as has been pointed out, they don't give up.  The LM seem to give a stronger intial pull - steady, and don't seem to jerk back and forth quite like a SM.  The LM around my area (VA) usually give 4-5 good runs, then they're played out.  Both fish take to the air in shallow water which usually leaves me sitting dumfounded while they shake the hook loose - it's just to cool to watch!

I won't complain about catching either!