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Largemouth vs. Smallmouth Bass: Key Differences & Fishing Tips

By: FishUSA Staff

April 3, 2025

Largemouth and smallmouth bass are two of the most popular freshwater game fish in North America. While they share similarities, their appearance, habitat, diet, behavior, and fishing techniques differ significantly. Understanding these differences will help anglers target each species more effectively. This guide provides an in-depth comparison of largemouth vs. smallmouth bass, including identification, preferred environments, and the best ways to catch them.

Largemouth and smallmouth bass are two of the most popular freshwater game fish in North America. While they share similarities, their appearance, habitat, diet, behavior, and fishing techniques differ significantly. Understanding these differences will help anglers target each species more effectively. This guide provides an in-depth comparison of largemouth vs. smallmouth bass, including identification, preferred environments, and the best ways to catch them.

Table of Contents

  • Physical Differences Between Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass
  • Habitat Differences
  • Diet and Feeding Habits
  • Behavioral Differences
  • Best Fishing Techniques for Each Species
  • Which One is Harder to Catch?
  • Conclusion

Physical Differences Between Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass

One of the easiest ways to distinguish largemouth from smallmouth bass is by their physical characteristics.

1. Mouth Size

The easiest way to tell them apart is by their mouths:

  • Largemouth Bass: The upper jaw extends past the eye when the mouth is closed.
  • Smallmouth Bass: The upper jaw does not extend past the eye.

2. Coloration

Both species have unique coloration patterns:

  • Largemouth Bass: Greenish body with a dark horizontal stripe along the side.
  • Smallmouth Bass: Brown or bronze-colored body with vertical bars along the sides.

3. Dorsal Fins

The dorsal fins of these two species differ:

  • Largemouth Bass: Have a distinct separation between the spiny and soft dorsal fins.
  • Smallmouth Bass: Have a nearly connected dorsal fin with little separation.

4. Body Shape

Their body structures influence how they swim and hunt:

  • Largemouth Bass: Thicker and bulkier bodies built for short bursts of speed.
  • Smallmouth Bass: Slimmer and more streamlined, allowing for stronger, sustained fights.

Habitat Differences

Largemouth and smallmouth bass prefer different environments, affecting where and how they are caught.

1. Water Temperature

  • Largemouth Bass: Prefer warmer waters (60–80°F).
  • Smallmouth Bass: Prefer cooler waters (55–75°F).

2. Water Clarity

  • Largemouth Bass: Thrive in murky, stained water where they ambush prey.
  • Smallmouth Bass: Prefer clear water where they use sight to hunt.

3. Preferred Structure

  • Largemouth Bass: Found in heavy vegetation, fallen trees, and shallow cover.
  • Smallmouth Bass: Found around rocky areas, ledges, and current-heavy waters.

Diet and Feeding Habits

Both species are opportunistic predators, but their diet differs based on habitat.

1. Largemouth Bass Diet

  • Primarily eat bluegill, shad, frogs, and small mammals.
  • Ambush predators that strike quickly from cover.
  • Prefer larger prey due to their bigger mouths.

2. Smallmouth Bass Diet

  • Prefer crayfish, minnows, and aquatic insects.
  • More aggressive chasers, often hunting in open water.
  • Feed more actively in moving water and rocky environments.

Behavioral Differences

Understanding bass behavior helps anglers determine the best approach for catching them.

1. Fighting Style

  • Largemouth Bass: Strong initial pull but tire out quickly.
  • Smallmouth Bass: More acrobatic and put up longer fights.

2. Aggression Level

  • Largemouth Bass: More likely to ambush prey in short bursts.
  • Smallmouth Bass: More aggressive and will chase down lures from farther away.

3. Seasonal Behavior

Both species follow similar seasonal patterns but with slight variations.

  • Spring (Spawning): Largemouth spawn in weedy shallows; smallmouth prefer gravel beds in deeper water.
  • Summer: Largemouth stay near heavy cover; smallmouth move to deeper, cooler water.
  • Fall: Both species feed aggressively before winter.
  • Winter: Largemouth become sluggish; smallmouth still actively feed in deeper water.

Best Fishing Techniques for Each Species

1. Best Lures for Largemouth Bass

  • Topwater Frogs: Effective in heavy vegetation.
  • Jigs: Great for flipping into cover.
  • Soft Plastic Worms: Texas and wacky rigs work well.
  • Spinnerbaits and Chatterbaits: Good for covering water.

2. Best Lures for Smallmouth Bass

  • Crankbaits: Mimic crawfish and baitfish in rocky areas.
  • Tubes and Soft Plastics: Excellent for finesse fishing.
  • Jerkbaits: Work well in clear water.
  • Drop Shot Rigs: Ideal for deep, clear lakes.

Which One is Harder to Catch?

While both species can be challenging, smallmouth bass are often considered harder to catch due to their preference for clear water, deeper habitats, and strong fighting ability. Largemouth bass can be easier to find but require precise presentations when fishing pressured waters.

Conclusion

Both largemouth and smallmouth bass offer unique challenges and rewards for anglers. Understanding their differences in appearance, habitat, diet, and behavior will help you tailor your approach for better results. Whether you prefer the explosive strikes of a largemouth or the intense fight of a smallmouth, mastering techniques for both species will make you a more skilled and versatile angler.

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