The head is large and long. Mouth is very large and terminal with upper jaw reaching past the center of the eye in adults. The upper parts of the body and head are greenish with a silvery or brassy luster. The belly is white to yellow. There is an irregular dark band along the sides.
Eyes are brown.
They have a deep notch in dorsal fin. The soft dorsal fin usually has 12 to 13 rays. The measure from 10 to 28 inches in length and weigh 8 ounces to over 15 pounds. They are warm water fish preferring clear water with structure and cover. Generally they move to deep water during the day and return to the shallows to feed at night.