Hardest fighting freshwater fish?

[garry77]

I'd have to pick the mudfish with smallmouth being a close second.Pound for pound however would go to the smallie.

[Micro]

Bowfin.  

[RoLo]

Ounce-for-ounce:   Redear Sunfish

Among those listed:   Bowfin

Roger

[Tin]

Smallie. Also probably the hardest fish on that list to get in the boat. They love to throw your bait at you when they rocket 4' out.

[bocabasser]

peacock bass. those are some fighters.

[CJ]

Funny, I just wrestled with a bowfin a couple weeks ago at the river.He was probally about 4 lbs. but, with some current on light gear,it was alot of fun.

[Sam]

I agree, for their size a smallie fights a good fight.

But you hook into a nice size striper and you have a good fight on your hands.

[Catt]

Of the ones you have listed "choupique", grinnel", "mudfish", or bowfin

#1: Esox masquinongy: muskellunge  

[roadwarrior]

I'm a striper and smallmouth fisherman, but you left out the strongest freshwater fish: German Brown trout

The German brown trout NEVER gives up!

8-)

[Red]

i have to say smallie....but i did catch about a 12lb muskie once on light tackle and 6lb test.....and man that thing fought hard!  took me forever to land it...but i think a 12lb smallie would have been a harder fight!  ;D

[garry77]

Dang! I did forget a few fish didn't I?Sorry :-/

[dodgeguy]

musky,pike,pickeral

[Shadcranker]

Pound for pound- Shellcracker (Red Ear Sunfish). If they grew to 10 lbs, we'd be using Penn International Saltwater reels to catch em.

Other than that I say a tie b/w smallies and the big spots of the Coosa chain in AL. Smallie's jump more, but those darn big ole spots never quit.

[dave]

Ounce-for-ounce:      Redear Sunfish

Among those listed:   Bowfin

Roger

I agree with this and the other post.  Redears are fighters.  

I've heard of stripers being referred to as a swimming freight train with stripes.

[Bassin_Fin@tic]

x3 on the redear.Those little fellows are crazy.

Of those on the list I would have to go with the bowfin.Catch one five pounds or better and your in for a wrestling match.They have long powerful runs,unlike the short bursts from a bass.

I for one have not ever had the pleasure of catching a smallmouth before. :-[

[HOIST-N-HAWGS]

Northern PIKE!

[MALTESE FALCON]

As much as I like to catch those ill-tempered smallmouth, the hardest fighting freshwater fish I've caught is the muskie.

Falcon

[FishTank]

I had to go with a Smallmouth.  I hooked a 4lb last year and thought I had at least an 7-8lb Largemouth.  It was one the hardest fighting freshwater fish I have ever caught.

[Catt]

Now if y'all want to examine small fish try a Warmouth (Lepomis gulosus): Redeye, Goggle-eye, Red-eyed Bream, Stump Knocker

If these little guys grew to 10 lbs they would eat the prop off your outboard thinking it was a buzz bait

[Jeff C.]

I think that is what we call "Rock Bass"

they and sunfish & Bluegils seem to be very strong for there size.

[ba7ss3in]

Have to say bowfin and the alligator gar, never had the chance at smallies. yet

[Guest muddy]

Ihaveonly hooked one, but have a couple of trips hooked uo for

MUSKIES

[Mrs. Matstone]

I have not caught all of the types of fish in the poll but so far the smallmouth has been the biggest fighter for me. ( and the most addicting too) ;D

[TeamBerettaGold]

King Salmon from lake michigan (shore fishing), hands down no contest.

[GitRDoneIke23]

Pound for pound SMALLIES HANDS DOWN!!!