I dont think its possible that a striper can cross with a smallie. I take it back, the two cannot produce offspring. They are separated so far apart taxonomically thats there just isnt the possibility. Plus, they both have different spawning strategies: stripers are broadcast spawners, smallmouth build nests.

Anyway, too bad you dont have the head. That would really help. I have a nice photo of a pure redeye from New Melones where you can see the horizontal stripes. Ill post it later.