It’s not uncommon for anglers to mix up the Warmouth Bass and Rock Bass. While they do share similarities, these fish are completely different species. In this post we’ll check out differences between warmouth vs rock bass.
Is a Warmouth the Same as a Rockbass?
The Warmouth (Chaenobryttus gulosus) and Rock Bass (Ambloplites rupestris) are not the same fish, however, they both belong to the family Centrarchidae. Anglers know Centrarchidae by the common name “sunfish,” a group of freshwater ray-finned fish native to North America. While both fish have roughly the same area of distribution, they live in very different habitats.
What’s the difference between Warmouth vs Rockbass
At first glance these fish look similar in appearance, but the experienced angler will be able to tell them apart easily by coloration as well as spine counts. Outside of appearance, the Warmouth and Rock Bass frequent different water sources and have their own specific preferences.
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What is a Warmouth
The Warmouth is a freshwater fish in the sunfish family found throughout Midwest and eastern North America. They’re aggressive when it comes to hitting bait and populate river drainage areas all the way out to the Atlantic coast. Warmouth also goes by the names redeye, goggle-eye, stump knocker, weed bass and—incorrectly—rock bass.
What is a Rockbass
Rock Bass are also part of the sunfish family and populate freshwater sources, although they prefer ponds and slow-moving streams. They aren’t as aggressive as other bass in the sunfish family or “true” bass, but they offer a challenge when it comes to hard-to-reach habitats and manipulative angling. Rock bass are commonly known as goggle-eye, rock perch, black perch, and red eye.
How to tell the difference Rockbass vs Warmouth
If you’re out fishing and reel in what could be either a Rock Bass or Warmouth, there are a few quick ways for you to tell the difference. First, where are you fishing? If you’re in a slow-moving stream versus a river drainage with a decent current, that’s a good clue for what kind of fish you have on your hands. Second, appearances; you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but a fish’s coloration and key traits like the number of spines are a dead giveaway.
Warmouth vs Rockbass Size Differences
Rock Bass are the larger of the two, able to reach up to 12 inches in length, while Warmouth round out at about 10 inches max. Both fish have larger mouths when compared to other sunfish, so don’t let that feature sway you. Despite the differences in size, they are both considered panfish.
The largest Rock Bass ever caught was 3lbs, and the largest Warmouth was 2lb 7oz.
Warmouth vs Rock bass Dorsal Spines
Dorsal spines, found along the back of the fish, are a great way of identifying different species. The Rock Bass has 11-13 dorsal spines; the Warmouth has 10. That’s close enough that you may want to use anal fin spines as a signifier as well.
Warmouth vs Rockbass Anal Fin Spines
Anal fins, closest to the tail and along the base of the fish, also vary between these species. Warmouth have only 3 whereas Rock Bass have 5-7. This is an easy trait to pick out at a glance for most anglers.
Warmouth vs Rock bass Coloration Differences
Both fish have earthy, olive-and-brown coloration, however the Warmouth’s scales have an additional dark brown mottling that is noticeable. Rock Bass are much more consistently olive in coloration with light bellies and dark backs.
Where Can You Find Rockbass
Rock Bass can be found in the mid-to-eastern US and southern Canadian waters. They’re native to the Great Lakes system, the upper and middle Mississippi basin, south to the Savannah River and along the eastern coast. These fish prefer slow-moving water sources with rocky outcroppings – hence the name and the challenge when angling for them.
Rockbass Fishing Tips
While Rock Bass might not hit as hard as other fish, they’re still a challenge to catch. First you need to find the habitat they prefer frequenting – from there, it’s all about being prepared. Rock Bass eat a variety of prey and are carnivorous, so you’ll see insects, small crustaceans and minnows (as well as smaller fish species) in their diet.
Due to their dietary preferences, you’ll want to have a variety of lures and bait on hand. Who knows what they’ll be going for the day you’re out and about? Try live bait, spinners, micro drop shots, soft plastics and Mule jigs.
But it’s equally important to pay attention to your surroundings. The habitat these fish prefer is guaranteed to get you caught up here and there. They stay away from vegetation, but like rocky substrate, overhangs, shelves and other hazardous surroundings for fishermen. Check out ultralight fishing gear options to simulate prey and get a little extra fight out of your catch.
Where Can You Find Warmouth
The Warmouth is easily found along the Mississippi River drainage, further south than the Rock Bass. They’re distributed from the Gulf to the Atlantic and into the Great Lake area. Warmouth have also been introduced into other non-native areas of North America. These fish truly spread out and can be found in streams, rivers, ponds and lakes. Due to their ability to tolerate low oxygen levels, it’s possible to find Warmouth in surprising places. Unlike the Rock Bass, Warmouth will hang out in areas of vegetation to ambush prey.
Warmouth Fishing Tips
This is an area where the Warmouth and Rock Bass don’t differ too much. As far as bait, Warmouth are also carnivorous and love going after insects, crayfish, larvae, small crustaceans and other small fish. This means you’ll want a variety of tackle on hand to entice them. They come at bait aggressively and you can expect a hard hit when they do hit.
When it comes to gear, check out ultralight options. You’ll get the added benefit of realistic prey simulation and extra sensitivity for an exciting fight. The best jigs for Warmouth include Mule jigs, micro drop shots and the classic hook and bobber. For lures, check out the Mule Minnow and Trout Magnets—both popular and effective.
Conclusion
When you find yourself staring a certain muddy sunfish in the eye, it can be hard to tell what exactly you’re holding onto. But keep in mind that Warmouth and Rock bass differ in quite a few ways. The quickest way to ID them is going to be by spines and coloration. Otherwise, pay close attention to your surroundings and you’re sure to become a pro at differentiating these two species.
