Both good looking specimens. You're right about the LMB. It's mouth does look considerably smaller. I thought at first it may be a spotted bass, but it's hard to tell without seeing the dorsle fins. Next time you catch one like that, 1st check to see if the spiney rays and soft rays have a gap between them. There will a bit of fin connecting the two on a LMB, where as on a spot there is a slight gap.2nd, run your finger over it's tongue and see if there's a very pronounced patch of teeth on it, and 3rd, with the mouth closed the LMB upper jaw will extend past it's eye. A spot's upper jaw will fall just about the middle of the eye. If you find these traits, I'd put my money on it being a spot. The way you described it's going airborne , it sounds more like a spot than a LMB. They are almost as acrobatic as SMB and every bit as tenacious. Just dont get as big. Color wise tho it sure looks like a LMB.

Last edited by Mike Whatley; 07/01/18 08:31 PM.
.10 surface acre pond, 10.5 foot deep. SW LA. The epitome of a mutt pond. BG, LMB, GSF, RES, BH, Warmouth, Longear Sunfish, Gambusia,Mud Minnows, Crappie, and now shiners!!...I subscribe!!