Physical Description of Bass
Largemouths are dark olive green on the back with light green sides shading to a white belly. A dark mottled band extends along the sides. The upper part of the mouth extends past the eye. Smallmouth bass are similar in appearance, but the upper jaw ends below the eye.
Striped Bass Appearance
The striped bass is a silvery, elongated fish with prominent dark, horizontal stripes along the sides. The stripes are typically not offset or broken, and typically 3–5 extend from behind the head to the base of the tail. The soft and spiny dorsal fins are separate. The gill cover has a very sharp gill plate.
Characteristics of Striped Bass
Seven to eight dark stripes run longitudinally across their body giving them a distinctive appearance. Striped bass are usually three and one-third times as long as they are deep. They have a long head, protruding lower jaw, and a moderately forked tail fin.
Texture of Striped Bass
Striped bass has a white, flaky, meaty texture and with enough fat to keep it moist even without butter. It’s dense and rich, yet delicate at the same time.
Health Benefits and Risks of Eating Striped Bass
Striped bass is a low-fat source of selenium and omega-3 fatty acids. There is a consumption advisory for striped bass due to contamination from mercury, PCBs, dioxin, and other chemicals.
Description of Bass Fish
Bass fish are generally silvery white in color and most have dark horizontal lines along their sides. True bass are spiny-rayed fish with strong spines in their dorsal (back), anal (bottom rear), and pelvic (bottom front) fins. They have two separate, or only slightly connected, dorsal fins and numerous small teeth.
Texture of Bass
Bass has a medium flavor with a medium to firm texture.