Spotties versus Largemouth

[nimrod777]

I'm sure this is a total novice question around these parts, but I've never fished bass much in an area where spotted bass were. Since the limits are different (and I'm not truly sure what they are offhand in the Chickamauga dam, above or below), is there a basic rule of thumb in identifying the two and differentiating between the species?

If someone would include limits, that would be a big bonus.

 

[Buoy-Master]

Spawwwts have a tongue patch and the lower jaw does not go past the eyes. </p>

Largemouth has no spot on the tongue and the lower jaw exceeds the eyes. </p><font face="Helvetica-Bold"><p align="left">Chickamauga</p></font><font face="Times-Bold" size="3"><p align="left">Largemouth/Smallmouth/Spotted Bass </p><p align="left">combination, only one may be a smallmouth bass.</p><p align="left">Largemouth bass .......... 15 inch minimum length limit</p><p align="left">Smallmouth bass .......... 18 inch minimum length limit</p>

Spotted bass .......................................... no length limit</p></font><font face="Times-Roman" size="3">– 5 per day / angler</font>

 

[nimrod777]

So basically a spot is going to have the body configuration of a smallmouth but the coloration of a largemouth? Is that fair to say?

I'll have to look for the tongue patch. Is it real obvious? Thanks for the above info!

 

[craazyboutbass]

Pretty much...

But I usually check the jawline because I have caught largemouth that have had a toothpatch.

Here are two examples, the first is a largemouth and the second is a spot. Look at the jaw lines!

 

[Guest]

Another thing to look at is the dorsal fins, on a spotted bass the spiny and soft dorsal fins attach up high, while on a largemouth they just barely attach.

 

[nimrod777]

Aight, thanks guys, I feel a little better equipped now!

 

[MadBomber]

Here's the TWRA position.  If it's green and has a tooth patch, it's a spot and any length may be kept.  Green with no tooth patch, it's a largemouth and it must be 15" or longer to keep.  If it's brown, tooth patch or not, it's a smallmouth and it better be 18" or longer if you keep it.</p>

You may have read on here about a change to 15 spots per day.  That is a recommendation for next year and if approved will only apply from Chickamauga dam to the mouth of South Chickamauga Creek. A distance of about 2 miles.  Largemouth and smallmouth limits will stay as they are now.  </p>

 

[Carl Guffey]

Bomber, from Bill, "if it is brown, green, or black and has a tooth patch with an olive colored spot on tonque, it is a hybrid and therefore considered a spot".

 

[nimrod777]

Is the tooth patch always colored?

 

[polo-dog]

nimrod777 - 9/18/2007 3:05 PM

So basically a spot is going to have the body configuration of a smallmouth but the coloration of a largemouth? Is that fair to say?

I'll have to look for the tongue patch. Is it real obvious? Thanks for the above info!

NR, the tounge patch is the easiest way to check in my thinking. I just run my finger on top of the bass' tongue and if there is a rough "patch" on the tongue it is a spotted bass. If it has the coloration of a smallie I'd let it go unless it is 18inches and I would probably still let it go.

 

[nimrod777]

Well, my experience in bass fishing has always been limited to farm ponds and lakes I had bank access to. I bought my boat to learn more about catfishing the carnivorous Missouri River. Put me on a lake or river for bass and I currently have little idea what to do to find them. An 18" smallie to me sounds like a world record, and I've not caught too many bass over 15" period. I've got a lot to learn before I have to worry about whether or not I'm keeping a smallie. For the most part I probably wouldn't. Other more plentiful fish to eat.

 

[Buoy-Master]

Keith, tomorrow night I have a Tourny out of Chesterfrost Park in Hixson. It starts at 6:15 and weigh in is at 9:15. Why not come out and meet a few of us. While I'm weighing the fish, I'll be happy to show you what they are. We get a few spots and lots of largemouth each time. </p>

Come on by!  

</p>

 

[nimrod777]

That would be cool BB, but my career choice has me working Wednesday nights and Sundays. My weekends, if one is possible, occur between the two days. And oddly enough, my true day off is Thursday. I'm thinking I can backtrack on the forums and perhaps figure out what to use and how to use it, and maybe I can get out there tomorrow and find one. Like I said, bank fisherman from way back, but I do know my way around part of the tackle box. Thanks for the invite. Sounds like fun.

 

[Carl Guffey]

To legally be considered a spot hybrid, it has to have both a rough area and a olive or dark colored spot over the rough patch.

 

[Buoy-Master]

nimrod777 - 9/19/2007 10:19 AM That would be cool BB, but my career choice has me working Wednesday nights and Sundays. My weekends, if one is possible, occur between the two days. And oddly enough, my true day off is Thursday. I'm thinking I can backtrack on the forums and perhaps figure out what to use and how to use it, and maybe I can get out there tomorrow and find one. Like I said, bank fisherman from way back, but I do know my way around part of the tackle box. Thanks for the invite. Sounds like fun.

</p>

Career night? You play music in a church or just go? Something else maybe? </p>

 

[nimrod777]

Youth Minister, Lifetime sentence. Been at it for over two decades. In fact, just graduated my own son out of my youth group and into Bible College. Won't listen to sense; wants to be a Youth Minister. Personally I think he's starting to like the Ramen Noodles.

;0)