Seeing spots, I think….

When setting the revamped regulations for black bass, SCDNR biologists were wary of splitting limits between similar-looking bass species for fear of anglers harvesting the wrong fish. Surprisingly, even veteran anglers sometimes have trouble distinguishing between largemouth and spotted bass, especially comparing fish of varying size or fish coming from stained water where coloration can be deceiving. However, telling the difference between a spotted bass and a largemouth bass is not that difficult, if you know what to look for.

Spotted Bass

• All spotted bass have a patch of rough skin on the tongue, and the jaw line doesn’t extend back behind the eye;

• The spiny and soft dorsal fins are clearly connected. The notch between the fins is shallow, and there is a noticeable connection between the fins;

• Cheek scales on spotted bass are noticeably smaller than those on the side of the fish;

• Spots often have some fantastic coloring, but it may vary based on water conditions. Spots may also have a reddish-colored eye, but hybridization with other species also reduces the reliability of that trait;

• Spotted bass are thought to be more aggressive as water temperatures drop;

• Spotted bass may tend to school more than largemouth.

Largemouth Bass

• The upper jaw extends beyond the eye.

• The tongue is normally smooth; however, a small percentage of the largemouth population does have a rough tooth patch on the tongue.

• The spiny and soft dorsal fins are separate — or nearly so. The notch is deep and goes nearly to the fish’s back.

• Largemouths have roughly the same size, or slightly smaller, scales on the cheek as they do on their sides.