diffrence between largemouth/smallmouth

[Bladerunner]

what are some dead give away charachteristics between these 2 species.? as far as looks go?, im not sure if i really know or if i would be able to distinguish

[Bassin_Dude]

well, a smallmouth has a smallmouth. and a largemouth has a large mouth. also, a LM is more of a green and white with alittle black, and a SM is more of a orange or tabby colored and white. this would be your average SM:
and this is your avereage LM: notice how a LM's dorsal fin is seperated, and a SM'S arnt. also, notice the tail on both, the LM is more forked then the SM. hope this helps.

[jglassguy]

Largemouth:
The scientific name for the largemouth is Micropterus salmoides. It has a very large mouth and a large upper jaw that extends behind the eye; its color ranges from green to black. Largemouths prefer shallower, warmer water than other black bass species and are most at home in weeds and other thick cover such as brush and timber. If given the option, largemouths will opt for slower current. Largemouths prefer to spawn in shallow, protected areas with hard, dark bottoms near or next to wood. Reedbeds usually contain the best spawning habitat. Their diet is primarily baitfish, although they will eat practically anything they can swallow. The world record largemouth weighed 22 pounds, 4 ounces; most state records are between 10 and 14 pounds.

Smallmouth:
The smallmouth (Micropterus dolomieui) is more bronze or brown in color than the largemouth, and its side markings look like vertical bars (tiger striped). Also, it has a smaller mouth than the largemouth, and its jaw does not extend beyond the eye. The eye has red in it and the largemouths don't. Smallmouths prefer deeper, clearer, cooler water with rocky structure. They are seldom found in stagnant ponds or murky lakes shallower than 25 feet.
In addition to clear waters, the smallmouth bass loves to hold in a moderately swift current. In rivers and streams they stay away from the swiftest sections, where the trout might hold, but prefer pools with a noticeable current to those that are completely stagnant. Like their cousins, smallmouths like heavy structure, such a boulders, rock beds, tree trunks and bridge abutments, but stay away from the heavy weedbeds that largemouths love so much.
Crawfish and insects are mainstays in their diet. But they do eat baitfish when available. The world record smallmouth weighed 11 pounds, 15 ounces, and most state records are between 7 and 9 pounds.
Ninety percent of all smallmouth live in water deeper than 15 feet deep if they can get to it and have access to deeper water. Remember to fish deep - the bank just keeps the water in the lake!

[Rich]

bigjim, when you look at the fish from the side, a smallmouth's jaw is hinged in front of it's eye and a largemouth's is hinged behind it's eye, and if you reach in and touch it's tongue a largemouth's is smooth where a smallmouth's feels like fine sandpaper.

[TheBassMan]

Here is a little better picture of a smallie



Just kidding.....lol.......Here is a real smallmouth

[Bladerunner]

thanks guys.

thats all i needed to know, color distinctions and jaw hinge placement

[madmarty]

Smallmouths don't grow as large but fight a lot harder and make spectacular jumps.

[mallard]

Actually, their mouths have the same porportions (a smallmouth and largemouth of equal size will have the same sized mouth.)

Just the location of the eye is different.

[Bladerunner]

oh ok, got it

[mike0062466]

[quote author=bigjim link=board=news;num=1116686137;start=0#5 date=05/21/05 at 13:52:53]thanks guys.

thats all i needed to know, color distinctions and jaw hinge placement[/quote]
Both can vary in coloration. Use the relation of the jaw to the eye as the final determinant.