Another Fish Id (What The Heck Is This?)

[fishinwrench]

This is what In-Fisherman says...

By the late 1960s, stocking of spotted bass in central Missouri had led to hybridization and genetic swamping of smallmouth populations. Today, backcrossed mixes of spots and smallies are increasingly common in central Missouri streams and in reservoirs such as Table Rock, where several state records have been set, up to 5 pounds 10 ounces. Due to their fighting power, they’re locally known as “meanmouth bass,” but this confuses the original meaning of the term.

It appears that the term "Meanmouth" is just a nick-name since the MM's have never been given an actual scientific (latin) name of their own. Kinda like the pole-cat of the fish world.

[moguy1973]

I think Wrench is right on this one. My first thought was redeye, but it has a few things missing for that one.

Wrong part of the country for red eyes. They are only in a couple rivers in Alabama and Florida.

[Mitch f]

This is mostly spot, just with a bronze tone, but a hybrid no less.

This is an 18" hybrid that's about 60-40 spot/ smallie percentage.

[drew03cmc]

Redeye Bass (Micropterus Coosae) are in northern Alabama, eastern Tennessee, SE Kentucky, western South Carolina and Northern Georgia. You are thinking of Shoal Bass or Suwannee Bass, but nice try Jim.

[Quillback]

Some interesting reading in this link:

http://www.in-fisherman.com/2012/08/24/hybrid-black-bass/

[CaptainNemo68]

Thanks for everyone's help and input. The smallmouths that I catch out of this river are extremely dark as well....almost black. As a matter of fact, nearly all of the fish I get out of this river are a darker shade than normal. I guess it's the sediment or rock in the river that causes this.