Freshwater bass are highly sought-after game fish, recognized for their diverse forms. Each species possesses unique physical attributes for identification. This article details their visual characteristics.
Common Physical Traits of Bass
Most bass species share a robust, elongated body shape. They possess two dorsal fins, with an anterior spiny section and a posterior soft-rayed portion, which can be distinctly separated or broadly connected. Bass also have a large, often protrusible mouth, designed for capturing prey. Their coloration typically includes shades of green, brown, or silver, often with darker patterns or markings along their sides. They also have large, rough scales.
Distinguishing Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass
Largemouth and Smallmouth bass can be distinguished by several key visual cues.
A Largemouth bass has a distinct horizontal dark stripe or mottled band along its side. Its mouth is large, with the upper jaw extending beyond the rear margin of the eye when closed. The dorsal fin features a deep notch, making it appear almost as two separate fins. Largemouth bass generally have an olive-green to greenish-gray coloration and a more elongated body.
Smallmouth bass exhibit vertical dark bars or blotches on their sides. Their mouth is smaller, with the upper jaw usually not extending past the eye. The dorsal fin has a less pronounced notch, often appearing as one continuous or only slightly connected fin. These bass usually have a brown to bronze coloration, earning them the nickname “bronzebacks,” and often have reddish eyes. Smallmouth bass also tend to have a more compact body.
Identifying Other Popular Bass Species
Other bass species also have unique identifying features.
Spotted bass are recognized by rows of small black spots below their lateral line. Their mouth size is intermediate, with the upper jaw not extending past the eye. Their dorsal fins are broadly joined with a shallow notch. Spotted bass have an olive-green coloration with dark mottling and possess a circular patch of teeth on their tongue.
Striped bass are characterized by their sleek, silvery bodies and seven to eight prominent, continuous dark horizontal stripes that extend from their gill plate to their tail. Their backs can range from olive-green to steel blue, and they have two distinctly separated dorsal fins.
White bass are silvery-white to pale green and have faint dark horizontal stripes, which are often broken or uneven, with only one or two reaching the tail. They have a more compressed body shape compared to striped bass and possess a single tooth patch on their tongue.
Rock bass exhibit a deep, somewhat oval body shape and have large, often reddish eyes. Their coloration is mottled brown or green, sometimes with golden tints, and they display rows of dark spots along their sides. Rock bass have a large mouth where the upper jaw extends to or past the middle of the eye, and they are distinguished by having six spines in their anal fin.
Factors Influencing Bass Appearance
While each bass species has defining characteristics, individual appearance can vary due to environmental factors. Water clarity, habitat type (such as dark or light bottoms), and light exposure influence a bass’s coloration and pattern intensity. Bass can adapt their color to camouflage with their surroundings. For example, bass in clear water or tannic environments might appear darker, while those in murky water or sandy bottoms may be lighter. A bass’s diet and age can also play a role in its overall size, body condition, and subtle shifts in coloration.