| Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass are two | | | | to wood like a magnet. It does not matter if it is |
| completely different species. An angler must have | | | | standing or fallen timber, Largemouth Bass love |
| a completely different approach when fishing for | | | | wood. Smallmouth Bass on the other hand prefer |
| each of them. A Largemouth Bass behaves similar | | | | gravel bottoms and are attracted to rocks in |
| to a Northern Pike while a Smallmouth Bass has | | | | much the same way their larger cousins love |
| much more in common with a Walleye in terms | | | | trees. |
| of behavior and preferred habitat. | | | | You need therefore to select artificial lures that fit |
| For starters I will discuss the physical differences | | | | the surroundings. Spinnerbaits and other topwater |
| between the two species. Largemouth Bass are | | | | style baits work much better for Largemouth |
| about twice as large as Smallmouth Bass. A five | | | | Bass because they navigate weeds and tree lines |
| pound Smallmouth is considered a true trophy fish. | | | | successfully. These lures however are of little use |
| A Largemouth bass needs to be twice that size | | | | to an angler fishing water fifteen feet deep for |
| to be considered for trophy status. Largemouth | | | | Smallmouth Bass holding near rocks. In these |
| Bass are typically green in color, Smallmouth Bass | | | | circumstances you need to have crankbaits and |
| are brown. The other obvious difference is the | | | | jig and pig combos in your arsenal to fish |
| size of their mouths. The mouth on a Largemouth | | | | successfully. |
| Bass extends beyond the eye socket when | | | | In rivers you will notice another bunch of |
| closed. This is not the case for a Smallmouth | | | | differences between these two fish. Largemouth |
| Bass. | | | | Bass dislike fast water current. You will find this |
| The next different I will discuss is the preferred | | | | species in backwaters, creeks and other areas of |
| habitats of each species. In lakes you will find | | | | the river without a fast current. They love to |
| Largemouth Bass in much shallower water than | | | | congregate above a dam where the water is less |
| Smallmouth Bass. A Largemouth Bass is very | | | | turbulent. As you may have guessed Smallmouth |
| comfortable in water as shallow as three feet. | | | | Bass behave quite differently. They enjoy a very |
| Smallmouth Bass on the other hand prefer the | | | | fast current. You will find them often below a |
| colder water, often twelve to fifteen feet is their | | | | dam. They feed right in the middle of the white |
| preferred handout zone. Largemouth Bass tend to | | | | turbulent water created by the dam. |
| congregate near weedy areas. They also drawn | | | | |