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What is a Meanmouth Bass?

June 9, 2024

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Video mean mouth fish

The meanmouth bass is a crossbreed between a smallmouth bass and a spotted bass.

The meanmouth bass, also known as a meanmouth black bass or meanmouth char, exhibits traits and characteristics of both parent species. It is typically found in select waters where the smallmouth and spotted bass populations overlap.

The meanmouth bass is known for its aggressive feeding behavior and can provide an exciting angling experience for fishermen. However, it is important to note that the meanmouth bass is not a widely recognized or targeted game fish like its parent species. It is more of an incidental catch in areas where the two bass fish species coexist.

Are Meanmouth Bass Rare?

Meanmouth bass, being a bass hybrid between smallmouth bass and spotted bass, can be considered a rare fish compared to their parent species.

They are less widely distributed than smallmouth or spotted bass because their occurrence is limited to specific waters where the populations of both parent species overlap and hybridization can occur.

What is the Difference Between a Meanmouth and a Smallmouth?

Distinguishing between a smallmouth bass and a meanmouth bass can be challenging, as they are visually similar and share many physical characteristics. However, there are a few key features that can help differentiate the two:

Body Shape: Smallmouth bass typically have a more streamlined and elongated body shape compared to meanmouth bass. Meanmouth bass may exhibit a slightly bulkier or more robust appearance, resembling their spotted bass parentage.
Coloration: While both smallmouth and meanmouth bass have similar color patterns, meanmouth bass may have more prominent or distinct markings on their body . They may display a mixture of characteristics from both parent species, including dark vertical bars on their sides and a bronze or greenish-brown coloration.
Jaw Length: One subtle difference is the length of the jaw. Smallmouth bass usually have a jaw that extends to the midpoint of the eye or slightly beyond, while meanmouth bass may have a jaw that falls slightly shorter.

What Is the Difference Between a Meanmouth and a Largemouth?

The difference between a meanmouth bass and a largemouth bass lies in their genetic makeup and physical characteristics.

Genetic Makeup: A meanmouth bass is a hybrid species resulting from the crossbreeding of a smallmouth bass and a spotted bass, while a largemouth bass is a distinct species on its own.
Body Shape: Largemouth bass and meanmouth bass have slightly different body shapes. Largemouth bass typically have a more robust and rounded body with a deep belly.
Jaw Length: Largemouth bass have a prominent, extendable jaw that extends past the rear edge of the eye. In contrast, meanmouth bass tend to have a shorter jaw, not extending as far beyond the eye as a largemouth bass.
Coloration: Meanmouth bass may exhibit more distinct markings, including vertical bars on their sides, which are inherited from their spotted bass parent.
Habitat: Largemouth bass and meanmouth bass have overlapping habitat preferences, as they both thrive in warm freshwater environments such as lakes, rivers, and ponds. However, the exact distribution of meanmouth bass may be limited to certain areas where the parent species overlap and hybridization occurs.

Where to Find the Meanmouth Bass?

So far, the only states to record an official presence of meanmouth bass have been Missouri and Georgia.

While fishing in March 2021 at O.H. Ivie Reservoir in central Texas, a lake renowned for its enormous largemouth and smallmouth bass, Wyatt Franken caught the 7lb 9oz world record largemouth-smallmouth hybrid bass. In 2022, fishing at the same exact location, Brady Stanford caught what appears to be a meanmouth. The fish is currently being genetically tested by Texas Parks and Wildlife’s ShareLunker program to ensure it is a genuine meanmouth. If accepted by the IGFA, it will unquestionably become the Texas state record and might even be referred to as the global record.

See also 10 of the World’s Biggest King Salmon

Moreover, states like Kentucky, which is in the middle of the species crossover zone, request that any anglers who catch a meanmouth bass bring them to a conservation center for scientific study.

Meanmouth bass are often found in river systems and reservoirs where smallmouth and spotted bass inhabit the same waters. Look for areas with rocky or gravelly bottoms, moderate current flow, and suitable habitat for bass.

How Deep Do Meanmouth Bass Live?

Generally, meanmouth bass can be found at various depths within a water body, including shallow water areas, mid-depth zones, and deeper sections.

In warmer months, meanmouth bass may move to deeper water to seek cooler temperatures and forage on prey species that also inhabit those depths. This can include depths ranging from 10 to 30 feet or even deeper in certain circumstances.

During cooler months or in early mornings and evenings, meanmouth bass may move into shallower water closer to shore or near structures and cover. They may be found in depths as shallow as a few feet, particularly when feeding on smaller baitfish or in pursuit of prey that is more active in shallower areas.

Mean Mouth Bass Fishing Tips

Meanmouth bass are found in areas where smallmouth bass and spotted bass populations overlap. Look for rivers, reservoirs, or lakes that support both species. Focus on transitional zones where the habitat characteristics of both species meet.

They can be active throughout the day but tend to be more active during low-light periods such as early morning, late evening, or cloudy days. Consider timing your fishing trips accordingly.

See also 7mm-08 Remington for Elk Hunting? Best Ammo (Round, Load, Cartridge) for a Successful Elk Hunt Hunting Calibers 04 Apr, 2020 Posted By: Foundry Outdoors Is the 7mm-08 Remington a viable caliber/load/round/cartridge for elk hunting? The accurate answer is “it depends”. However, the goal of this article is simply to address the question of whether the 7mm-08 Remington is within the ideal range of suitable calibers to harvest elk. As with anything, the devil is in the details. To answer the question completely, we would need to evaluate the downrange distance to the elk, the bullet type, the grain weight of the bullet, the physical condition of the firearm, the size of the elk in question, the shot placement, the local wind conditions, the expected accuracy of the shooter, the ethics of the ideal maximum number of shots – the list goes on. [Click Here to Shop 7mm-08 Remington Ammo]What we can do is provide a framework to understand what average conditions might look like, and whether those are reasonably viable for a shot from the average shooter to harvest a elk in the fewest number of shots possible, i.e., ethically. Let’s dive right in. In the question of “Is the 7mm-08 Remington within the ideal range of suitable calibers for elk hunting?” our answer is: Yes, the 7mm-08 Remington is A GOOD CHOICE for elk hunting, under average conditions, from a mid-range distance, with a medium grain expanding bullet, and with correct shot placement.Let’s look at those assumptions a bit closer in the following table. Assumption Value Caliber 7mm-08 Remington Animal Species Elk Muzzle Energy 2450 foot-pounds Animal Weight 720 lbs Shot Distance 200 yardsWhat is the average muzzle energy for a 7mm-08 Remington? In this case, we have assumed the average muzzle energy for a 7mm-08 Remington round is approximately 2450 foot-pounds. What is the average weight of an adult male elk? Here we have leaned conservative by taking the average weight of a male individual of the species, since females generally weigh less and require less stopping power. In this case, the average weight of an adult male elk is approximately 720 lbs. [Click Here to Shop 7mm-08 Remington Ammo]What is the distance this species is typically hunted from? Distance, of course, plays an important role in the viability of a given caliber in elk hunting. The kinetic energy of the projectile drops dramatically the further downrange it travels primarily due to energy lost in the form of heat generated by friction against the air itself. This phenonemon is known as drag or air resistance. Thus, a caliber that is effective from 50 yards may not have enough stopping power from 200 yards. With that said, we have assumed the average hunting distance for elk to be approximately 200 yards. What about the other assumptions? We have three other primary assumptions being made here. First, the average bullet weight is encapsulated in the average muzzle energy for the 7mm-08 Remington. The second important assumption is ‘slightly-suboptimal’ to ‘optimal’ shot placement. That is to say, we assume the elk being harvested is shot directly or nearly directly in the vitals (heart and/or lungs). The third assumption is that a projectile with appropriate terminal ballistics is being used, which for hunting usually means an expanding bullet.Various calibersA common thread you may encounter in online forums is anecdote after anecdote of large animals being brought down by small caliber bullets, or small animals surviving large caliber bullets. Of course those stories exist, and they are not disputed here. A 22LR cartridge can fell a bull elephant under the right conditions, and a newborn squirrel can survive a 50 BMG round under other specific conditions. Again, the goal of this article is simply to address the question of whether 7mm-08 Remington is within the ideal range of suitable calibers to harvest elk - and to this question, the response again is yes, the 7mm-08 Remington is A GOOD CHOICE for elk hunting. [Click Here to Shop 7mm-08 Remington Ammo]This article does not serve as the final say, but simply as a starting point for beginner hunters, as well as a venue for further discussion. Please feel free to agree, disagree, and share stories from your own experience in the comments section below. Disclaimer: the information above is purely for illustrative purposes and should not be taken as permission to use a particular caliber, a statement of the legality or safety of using certain calibers, or legal advice in any way. You must read and understand your own local laws before hunting elk to know whether your caliber of choice is a legal option.Foundry Outdoors is your trusted home for buying archery, camping, fishing, hunting, shooting sports, and outdoor gear online.We offer cheap ammo and bulk ammo deals on the most popular ammo calibers. We have a variety of deals on Rifle Ammo, Handgun Ammo, Shotgun Ammo & Rimfire Ammo, as well as ammo for target practice, plinking, hunting, or shooting competitions. Our website lists special deals on 9mm Ammo, 10mm Ammo, 45-70 Ammo, 6.5 Creedmoor ammo, 300 Blackout Ammo, 10mm Ammo, 5.56 Ammo, Underwood Ammo, Buffalo Bore Ammo and more special deals on bulk ammo.We offer a 100% Authenticity Guarantee on all products sold on our website. Please email us if you have questions about any of our product listings. 1 Comments Ted - Aug 28, 2024Shot placement is the key. I find most 140(139) grain bullets serve me well. Hunting should be fair chase. Sniping at 400+ yards is not hunting. Leave a commentComments have to be approved before showing up Your Name * Your Email * Your Comment * Post Comment

Use a variety of baits that mimic the natural prey of smallmouth and spotted bass. This can include crayfish imitations, soft plastic lures (such as worms, creature baits, or crawfish imitations), crankbaits, spinnerbaits, or topwater lures.

Experiment with different depths and types of structure to find where the meanmouth bass are holding. They can be found near rocky areas, submerged logs, drop-offs, or around underwater structures such as points and ledges. Adjust your fishing technique and lure presentation based on the depth and structure you are targeting.

Different fishing techniques can be effective depending on the conditions and the behavior of the meanmouth bass. Try techniques such as casting and retrieving, jigging, Carolina rigging, or using finesse techniques like drop-shotting or ned rigging. Vary your retrieve speed and presentation until you find what triggers a strike.

Make sure also to check our article on How to Catch a Largemouth Bass.