What bass is this?

Sand bass. Aka white bass.

My first impression is sandbass as well. But a closer photo sure would be nice to be 100% sure.

What lake were you fishing?

I was fishing Somerville, yea the photo isn't the best. Why would it not be a striped bass?

Well, so far as I can tell, there's been no stripers stocked in Somerville, but it does get hybrids pretty regularly. Not sure if you're asking about stripers or hybrids.

Striped bass are far more elongated, with much more prominent stripes.

Hybrids are deep-bodied like sandbass, and generally have multiple darker (sometimes 'broken') stripes.

Sandbass tend to have one dark stripe and the others are lighter. But their eyes are larger in proportion to their body size than a hybrid usually is.

The key test is to check the center tooth patch. If it's triangular, it's a sandbass. If it's elongated and split, it's a hybrid.

I have been catching several of the new crop of hybrids released into Somerville this year. That looks about the size so it could be a hybrid as well.

If in doubt and the fish is not 18 inches, toss back and repeat. Intel curve can be very costly not only in $ and cents but in our future game management !

I tossed him back but really didn't think it was a white but now I'm not so sure

Sometimes it can be hard to tell when they are the size of a white bass. One of the best ways to properly identify the fish is by looking at its tongue. There is an off white/pale area that is call a "tongue patch". On white bass there will only be one small patch. On a hybrid or striper there will be two tongue patches that look almost like a deer foot print. I remember which is which by thinking white bass are small and only have one tongue patch, hybrids and stripers are bigger and have two tongue patches.

https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/fishing/freshwater-fishing/bass-identification

Definitely white bass or sandbass

If it calmed down when you held it then it is a sandbass if it keeps fighting its a hybrid.

Best way is tongue patch!

Hybrids is also known as wipers up north.

Cigga, that's an awesome chart. Guys, I'm going to sticky this topic, as it's something that comes up on a regular basis and every new angler could use our help on fish identification.

It's a sandabass!