Greater Amberjack vs Smallmouth Bass
Seriola dumerili compared with Micropterus dolomieu
Taxonomy & Classification
| Attribute | Greater Amberjack | Smallmouth Bass |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Seriola dumerili | Micropterus dolomieu |
| Order | Carangiformes | Centrarchiformes |
| Family | Carangidae | Centrarchidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Physical Traits
| Attribute | Greater Amberjack | Smallmouth Bass |
|---|---|---|
| Max Length | 200.0 cm | 69.0 cm |
| Max Weight | 80.6 kg | 5.4 kg |
| Color | Olive-green to bluish back with a wide amber to golden-yellow mid-lateral stripe running from eye to tail; silvery-white belly; a dark diagonal stripe extends from snout through the eye to the dorsal fin. | Bronze-green to golden-brown body with 13–15 irregular dark brown vertical bars or blotches on the flanks; red-orange eyes; belly pale cream; dark brown radiating lines from eye to snout. |
Habitat & Environment
| Attribute | Greater Amberjack | Smallmouth Bass |
|---|---|---|
| Water Type | Saltwater | Freshwater |
| Depth Range | 1-385m | 1-7m |
| Geographic Range | Circumglobal in tropical and subtropical waters including the Atlantic, Mediterranean Sea, Indian Ocean, and Pacific. Commonly found around deepwater reefs, rocky outcrops, and offshore oil … | Native to the St. Lawrence River and Great Lakes drainage south through the Ohio River system and upper Mississippi basin. Prefers clear, cool, rocky streams … |
| Habitat | Pelagic, coral reefs | Clear, cool rivers and streams of eastern North America from the Great Lakes to Tennessee. Prefers rocky and gravelly substrate in moderate to fast current. … |
Fishing Information
| Attribute | Greater Amberjack | Smallmouth Bass |
|---|---|---|
| Game Fish | Yes | Yes |
| Fight Rating | 9/10 | 8/10 |
| World Record | — | — |
| Mercury Level | — | — |
Cuisine & Edibility
Greater Amberjack
Firm, rich flesh with a moderately strong flavor; can carry parasites in tropical waters, requiring thorough cooking. Good grilled or baked; related to the highly prized Japanese hamachi.
Smallmouth Bass
Clean, white, mildly flavored flesh with low fat; considered slightly firmer and more flavorful than largemouth bass. Excellent pan-fried or baked; a respected table fish in the Great Lakes region.
Species Overview
Greater Amberjack
The greater amberjack is the largest of the jacks, known for brutal head-shaking fights and powerful dives toward structure. Found near reefs, wrecks, and offshore platforms in tropical and subtropical waters worldwide.
Smallmouth Bass
The smallmouth bass is widely considered the best-fighting freshwater fish pound-for-pound. Found in clear, rocky streams and lakes, it is more athletic and acrobatic than its larger cousin, the largemouth bass.