Two of the most common basses in the United States are the largemouth and the smallmouth. Anglers target largemouth and smallmouth basses because of the bullish fight they put up. These two types of bass are freshwater fish that can be found in many different bodies of water. What is a largemouth bass vs smallmouth bass. 

Why Do Anglers Enjoy Catching Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass

The primary reason that anglers seek largemouth and smallmouth basses is that they are highly aggressive. Both are fierce predators that will hit baits presented to them with force. Beyond their aggressive feeding habits, they are also strong fighters that will bend a rod and pull drag. 

Are Smallmouth Bass And Largemouth Bass Good To Eat

No, largemouth and smallmouth are not considered good table fare. Most anglers prefer to practice catch and release rather than icing them down for a meal. However, when comparing the largemouth vs smallmouth bass eating, smallmouth bass is considered to be better to eat. The fillets of smallmouth are described as sweet and largemouth as fishy. However, smallmouth bass largemouth bass are with trying as long as they are withing the legal limits.

What Is a Smallmouth Bass

When comparing the largemouth vs smallmouth bass. The Smallmouth is similar in coloration to the largemouth but has a different shape. They primarily feed on the bottom and are highly regarded by anglers. 

How To Identify a Smallmouth Bass

The smallmouth vs largemouth bass mouth does not extend past the eyes thus it being called smallmouth. They have black vertical markings but otherwise are bronze or olive green. The body is broader like that of a grouper in the saltwater. 

Most smallmouth bass that have matured are fourteen to twenty inches in length and weigh between a pound to six pounds. Keep in mind that they will exceed this average size. 

What Is The Range Of A Smallmouth Bass

The smallmouth bass is found across the United States except for Florida. Water temperatures impact where they can survive. Unlike the largemouth, smallmouth requires cooler waters so they do not live in freshwater lakes near coastal areas in the south. Thanks to stocking, you can travel around the country to catch smallmouth bass. 

Smallmouth Bass Habitat

Unlike the largemouth, smallmouth prefers hard rocky bottoms. Smallmouth bass seeks shelter in the rocks while they feed on crawfish and baitfish. 

Clear watered lakes, rivers, and ponds are more likely to hold smallmouth bass. Because they are native to the north, most bodies of water in the mountainous portions of Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina will have smallmouth bass. 

What Do Smallmouth Bass Eat

A smallmouth bass vs largemouth bass shares a similar diet of food. The primary diet consists of crustaceans, insects, crawfish, and minnows. 

How Do You Catch Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth bass offers a good fight on light to medium action rods and reels. One of the best ways to catch them is by trolling crankbaits near rocky bottoms or structures. Another good option is a tube jig heavy enough to reach the bottom.

When it comes to live bait, drop a hooked crawfish or minnow on structure or beneath a float around docks. 

What Is a Largemouth Bass

The largemouth is one of the most highly sought after of the basses. Professional fisherman from around the world engages in high-stakes tournaments throughout the United States for largemouth. 

How To Identify a Largemouth Bass

Although each bass’s name might imply the only difference is the size of the mouth, this is not the case. The scales on a largemouth are much larger than on smallmouth. A black line extends from behind the head to the tail. The top of the fish is green but turns to a yellowish silver below the black horizontal line.

This type of bass usually weighs between one and three pounds and measures 4-25 inches but can grow much larger. 

What Is The Range Of A Largemouth Bass

You don’t have to look far to find largemouth basses because they are so widely distributed. They can be found almost anywhere in the United States and well into Canada thanks to stocking programs. Originally largemouth was found through the Great Lakes and other areas.  

Largemouth Bass Habitat

When you’re looking to find largemouth bass keep an eye out for weedy shorelines. Largemouth lurks in the weeds waiting to ambush prey as it swims past. Also, they prefer structures like dock pilings, sunken tree limbs, or other debris scattered about the bottom.

What Do Largemouth Bass Eat

The diet of largemouth basses includes frogs, crawfish, minnows, small birds, and insects. 

How Do You Catch Largemouth Bass

Largemouth will eat many types of lures and live baits. Use light tackle and cast crankbaits, soft plastics, and spinners around structure or weeds. 

Some anglers prefer live baiting largemouth. Shiners, frogs, and crawfish are all effective for catching big largemouth bass. 

So You’re Ready To Catch Smallmouth Bass and Largemouth Bass

The smallmouth bass vs largemouth are two fish that anglers will want to catch more of after the first one is landed. Each fight in similar ways, with spectacular jumps, clear out of the water.  Keep in mind that smallmouth vs. largemouth bass is found in northern portions of Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina, where the water is lower in temperature. The largemouth bass is well dispersed across all three states. Whichever state you’re fishing, remember to get a fishing license before battling smallmouth vs largemouth or vice versa.