Black bass are the most popular freshwater gamefish in the world, largely due to their voracious appetites and outstanding pound-for-pound fighting power. It’s important to understand, however, that there are many more black bass species than what many anglers might think.
There are actually 9 recognized species including Alabama bass, Florida bass, Guadalupe bass, largemouth bass, redeye bass, shoal bass, smallmouth bass, spotted bass and Suwannee bass. All black bass species are generally elongated, have a larger mouth size, ctenoid scales and are carnivorous.
To properly identify each species, you must know the following:
- Upper jaw length and position compared to the eye
- Number, size and location of lateral stripes and/or blotches
- Number of rays and spines on dorsal and anal fins
- Number of scales on the lateral line
- Region of the country where the fish was captured
Remember, many of these species will breed together and are considered sister species. For example, a Guadalupe bass will breed with both spotted and smallmouth bass, creating offspring that can be difficult to identify without genetic analysis.
- First described in 1940 and became a species in 2008. It was originally a spotted bass subspecies.
- Lateral blotches on sides that do not touch the first dorsal fin
- Lateral stripe ends in a series of blotches on the caudal peduncle (forms a solid line in spotted bass)
- Spiny and soft dorsal fins connected with shallow notch
- Scales at the base of the dorsal and anal fins
- Dorsal fin with 10 spines and anal fin with 3 spines
- 68 to 84 lateral line scales. Usually 71 or greater.
- First described in 1822 and became a recognized species in 2002.
- Still technically considered a subspecies of largemouth bass by the American Fisheries Society.
- Upper jaw extends past the eye
- Spiny and soft-rayed dorsal fins joined with a deep notch between them
- Dorsal fin with 9 spines and anal fin with 3 spines
- 59 to 72 lateral line scales
- Genetic analysis strongly needed to confirm identification
- First described in 1874
- Upper jaw does not reach past middle of the eye
- Spiny and soft-rayed dorsal fins joined with shallow notch between them
- Tooth patch on tongue
- Bases of soft dorsal and anal fins are scaled
- Dark lateral stripes in 10 to 12 bars
- Dorsal fin with 10 spines and anal fin with 3 spines
- 55 to 71 lateral line scales
- First formally described in 1802
- Upper jaw extends past the eye
- Spiny and soft-rayed dorsal fins joined with a deep notch between them
- Dark midlateral stripe or blotches from tip of snout to caudal fin (depends greatly on water turbidity)
- Dorsal fin with 9 spines and anal fin with 3 spines
- 59 to 72 lateral line scales
- First described in 1940, with 5 subspecies currently
- Subspecies include coosae, cahabae, chattahoochae, tallapoosae and warriorensis
- Upper jaw does not extend beyond the eye
- Spiny and soft dorsal fins are connected with very shallow notch
- Small, dark spots below lateral line that form horizontal rows
- Dark, vertical blotches on sides that disappear as they age and do not form horizontal bands
- Second dorsal, caudal and anal fins will appear red with a white margin
- Dorsal fin with 9 to 11 spines and anal fin with 3 spines
- 63 to 74 lateral line scales
- First described in 1999
- Formerly a redeye bass
- The upper jaw does not extend beyond the eye
- Dark, vertical blotches that fade as the fish ages
- Dark spots below lateral line that form horizontal rows
- The spiny and soft dorsal fin are connected and have a shallow notch
- Similar to redeye bass without any red coloration or white margins on fins
- Large, dark spot at the base of the caudal peduncle
- Dorsal fin with 9 to 11 spines and anal fin with 3 spines
- 72 to 77 lateral line scales
- First described in 1819
- Currently two subspecies (Northern and invalidated Witchita)
- Upper jaw does not reach past middle of the pupil
- Spiny and soft-rayed dorsal fins joined with shallow notches between them
- Base of dorsal and anal fins have small scales
- Lateral body has multiple dark blotches that touch dorsal fin
- Lower lateral scales form dark, horizontal rows or stripes
- Dorsal fin with 10 spines and anal fin with 3 spines
- 55 to 71 lateral line scales
- First described in 1949
- Upper jaw to central part of the eye, but not past it
- Typically short in length, rarely exceeding 16 inches
- Spiny and soft-rayed dorsal fins joined with shallow notches between them
- 12 vertical lateral bars of blotches
- Turquoise blue coloration on cheeks, breast and vent during breeding
- Dorsal fin with 10 spines and anal fin with 3 spines
- 57 to 65 lateral line scales
- First described in 1999
- Formerly a redeye bass
- The upper jaw does not extend beyond the eye
- Dark, vertical blotches that fade as the fish ages
- Dark spots below lateral line that form horizontal rows
- The spiny and soft dorsal fin are connected and have a shallow notch
- Similar to redeye bass without any red coloration or white margins on fins
- Large, dark spot at the base of the caudal peduncle
- Dorsal fin with 9 to 11 spines and anal fin with 3 spines
- 72 to 77 lateral line scales
