🎣 Largemouth Bass vs Striped Bass: Key Differences in Size, Habitat, and Fishing Style
If you talk about bass fishing in the United States, then you can’t ignore the two legendary species—the largemouth bass and striped bass. While both are called “bass,” they are very different fish in terms of habitat, size, behavior, fighting ability, and fishing strategy.
Many people, especially those unfamiliar with fishing, mistakenly believe that largemouth bass and striped bass are the same fish. However, in reality, largemouth bass and striped bass belong to different families, inhabit different environments, exhibit different behaviors, and require very different techniques to catch successfully.
In this post, we break down largemouth bass vs striped bass in a clear, side-by-side way so you know exactly what sets them apart.
📌 What You’ll Learn in This Post
- 🐟 Whether largemouth bass and striped bass are the same species
- 📏 Size and weight differences explained clearly
- 🌊 Habitat: freshwater vs saltwater behavior
- 🧠 Feeding habits and aggression levels
- 🎣 Best fishing gear and techniques for each
- 🍽️ Taste and table quality comparison
- ❓ Common angler questions answered
Largemouth Bass vs Striped Bass: Are They the Same Fish?
No. They are not the same fish. Despite the shared name, largemouth bass and striped bass are not the same fish and also are not closely related.
- Largemouth bass belong to the sunfish family (Centrarchidae)
- Striped bass belong to the temperate bass family (Moronidae)
They evolved differently and adapted to very different environments.
Scientific Classification
| Feature | Largemouth Bass | Striped Bass |
| Scientific Name | Micropterus salmoides | Morone saxatilis |
| Family | Centrarchidae | Moronidae |
| Native Range | North America (freshwater) | Atlantic coast & inland waters |
| Species Relation | Not closely related | Not closely related |
Largemouth Bass vs Striped Bass Size & Weight
The main difference between the largemouth bass vs striped bass is their size and weight. There’s a significant difference between the two. One is small, and the other is large. One of the biggest differences between them is their size.
Largemouth Bass (Smaller Fish)
Image credit: Thecatsmilk, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Average Weight: 1–5 pounds
- Trophy Size: 8–12 pounds
- World Record: 22 pounds 4 ounces
Striped Bass (Larger Fish)
- Average Weight: 10–30 pounds
- Large Adults: 40–70+ pounds
- World Record: 81 pounds 14 ounces
👉 If you hook a bass that feels like a freight train, it’s almost certainly not a largemouth.
Appearance and Body Shape Of Bass
Largemouth Bass Characteristics
- Largemouth Bass has Green to olive body
- LIttle dark horizontal stripe
- A large mouth extending past the eye
- Shorter, but a thicker body
Striped Bass Characteristics
- Silver body with distinct black stripes from head to tail
- Long, streamlined shape
- Smaller mouth relative to head
- Built for long-distance swimming and migrating.
Habitat Differences
Largemouth Bass Habitat
- Largemouth bass is a freshwater fish only
- Found in Lakes, ponds, rivers, and reservoirs
- Heavy cover: weeds, docks, logs
- Warm, shallow water preferred
Striped Bass Habitat
- Striper lives in both saltwater and freshwater
- Found in oceans, bays, rivers, and reservoirs
- Often migrate from freshwater to saltwater and vv
- Thrive in cooler, open water
👉 It is clear that both fish have very different habitat hence their fishing method should also be different. You will need to apply different gears and tactics to fish.
Feeding Behavior and Diet Of Bass
Largemouth Bass
Largemouth bass are often ambush predators that feed on bluegill, frogs, crayfish, and other small fish, and their strategy favors slow, precise attacks rather than long chases.
Striped Bass
Striped bass are aggressive open-water predators that feed on shad, herring, menhaden, and even squid in saltwater, and often hunt in fast-moving schools of fish.
Striped bass are far more aggressive and powerful feeders.
Fight and Strength Comparison
If we compare the ability to fight and the strength of the largemouth bass and striper; striped bass dominate.
Largemouth Bass Fight
Largemouth bass, being less powerful fish, typically put up a short fight, jump frequently, display impressive strength for their size, and rely on nearby cover to escape once hooked.
Striped Bass Fight
Striped bass are powerful fish. Known for their long, sustained runs, immense drag pressure, and incredible stamina, they rarely jump but often overpower anglers with their sheer strength.
Pound-for-pound, striped bass deliver one of the hardest fights in North America.
Fishing Gear Differences
Best Gear for Largemouth Bass
Largemouth bass is not so strong. Hence, according to their strength and size, the gear should be selected.
- Required a medium or medium-heavy rod
- 10–17 lb line
- Spinning or baitcasting reels
- Lures:
- Soft plastics
- Crankbaits
- Topwater frogs
Best Gear for Striped Bass
- Required heavy or extra-heavy rods
- 30–65 lb braided line
- Large spinning or conventional reels
- Lures:
- Swimbaits
- Bucktails
- Live bait
If you use largemouth gear on stripers, then you will certainly lose the fish at ethe nd with a broken line.
Taste and Table Quality
Largemouth Bass Taste
- Mild flavor
- Soft, flaky meat
- Best eaten fresh
- Smaller fish taste better
Striped Bass Taste
- Firm, white meat
- Rich but clean flavor
- Excellent grilling or baking of fish
- Highly valued commercially
👉 Striped bass are strong and large, and are generally considered better-eating fish.
Which Is Better for Anglers?
It depends on what your goal.
- 🎯 For beginners: Largemouth bass is a good fish
- 💪 For power and challenge: Striped bass is more adventurous
- 🌿 For freshwater lakes: Largemouth is perfect
- 🌊 For coastal & trophy fishing: Striped bass is an excellent choice
Most serious anglers enjoy both for different reasons.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are largemouth bass and striped bass the same?
No. They are completely different species from different families.
Can largemouth bass live in saltwater?
No. Largemouth bass are freshwater fish only. They can’t live in saltwater.
Do striped bass live in lakes?
Yes. Many striped bass are landlocked and stocked in reservoirs.
Which bass fights harder?
Striped bass fight much harder and longer than largemouth bass.
Which bass tastes better?
Most anglers prefer striped bass for eating.
Conclusion: Largemouth Bass vs Striped Bass
Although they share the name “bass,” largemouth bass and striped bass are very different fish. From habitat and size to fighting ability and taste, each species offers a unique angling experience.
Understanding these differences helps anglers choose the right gear, right locations, and right expectations—making every fishing trip more successful and enjoyable.
If you fish both freshwater and coastal waters, learning the difference between largemouth bass vs striped bass is essential knowledge every angler should have.
