Been wondering about what fights harder? Smallmouths or Peacocks

[Aaron Stelmach]

Don’t see much posts online asking this question so thought I’d be the guy to start the topic/debate. Genuinely curious tho ???‍♂️

[geo g]

I have caught both many times.  Going to college in Ohio I caught small mouth many times, and living in Florida for the past 40 years I have caught hundreds of peacock up to 8 pounds with many in the 4 pound range.  Pound for pound nothing beats a Pea for vicious hits, aerobatic jumps, and long runs pulling drag.  They are pit bulls of freshwater.  The fight doesn’t stop when landed, and will tear up a thumb in a heart beat, not with sharp teeth but muscular rapid explosions  unlike a largemouth which usually stop once caught.  We are so lucky to have them here in south Florida, and they are here to stay!  You know immediately it is something special  once hooked, way before you ever see it.  They have the eye of a wild Tiger!

[softwateronly]

I don't know, one day I hope to get a peacock, but I'm not sure that SM out fight LM through all water temps.  In general, I think SM are more acrobatic, pull more drag, and are pound for pound more relentless, but big LM in high 60's to mid 70's water temps have made me a fool countless times.  I'm gonna go try to catch some smallies later today, I hope they read this.

 

scott

[SWVABass]

Hard for me to compare the two. When catching one on a spinning rod and 8lb test vs bc with 40lb braid. They both are pit bulls in their own environment.

[FryDog62]

This spring I caught 3 pound - Peacocks, Smallmouth and White Bass. All were great fighters!  But the edge (at least in that size category) - drum roll... White Bass

[Bluebasser86]

I think the peacock is the more high impact, violent fight, but I think smallmouth fight longer. I have pretty limited experience with peas, but that was my takeaway from the ones I've caught.