Largemouth or Spot?

[TENNESSEE NEWSOME]

I am either catching nothing but Largemouths or I don't know how to tell the difference between the two.  I've caught over 50 bass this year, it's hard to imagine that all have been LM.  I fish J. Percy Priest Reservoir in Nashville.

Supposedly, from what I've read, the spotted bass has a tooth patch. But I'm having a hard time telling what a tooth patch actually is. When I catch smallies and white bass, both which have tooth patches, I can't tell any difference between their patch and a Largemouth (which has no toothpatch).

I've researched the difference between the two (shallow notch vs. deep notch dorsal fin), more or less spots, mouth extended past the eye, etc...

But I just can't tell the difference. In the drawn pictures I've seen, you'd think it would be easy, but in person it's another story. Maybe I'm just not catching any spots??

[fishfordollars]

The spot will have two tooth spots on each side in the upper part of the mouth and one behind the tounge. I always thought of them as shell crackers. JMO

[roadwarrior]

Well, if you are catching a bunch and you're not sure, they're probably spots. We catch zillions over in this part of the state. I know a lot of people love 'em, but we consider them "trash fish". I have caught a few "nice ones" but it's not much diffent that a good whitey.

8-)

[TENNESSEE NEWSOME]

Does someone have a real picture of a spotted basses mouth?  I look on the inside of the mouths of the ones I've been catching, and I don't think they have tooth patches.  I'm clearly clueless these tooth patches!   :-/

[fishfordollars]

Don't have a pic but just rub your finger inside the roof of the mouth. The spots will feel like 100 grit sandpaper. One on each side near the roof and on the tongue.

[dman]

how do the pros tell the difference so easily?  they could be reeling one in and just get a quick glance and say "oh, its a spot"...What are they looking at to know so quickly?

[uicdent11]

The patch in the mouth is one way and here are the other two. A largemouths jaw will extend passed its' eye, while a spots will end at or before. Also, the two dorsal fins almost look connect on a spot, while on a largemouth there is a little space between the two. Hope this helps. I just learned it about a week ago watching a show in TV.

Jon

[WRB]

The teeth that are unusual that spotted bass have is on the "tongue".

The dorsal fin is connected like a smallmouth. Kentucky spotted bass are smaller and only grow to about 3 lbs., the Alabama spotted bass grows much larger; up to 9 lbs.

Spotted bass get their name from the 3 or 4 rows of black dotted scales under the lateral line.

WRB