Hardest Fighters

[fishinwrench]

I wonder if the reason carp and buffalo are able to pull so hard is simply a result of the positioning of their mouth. You pretty much have to roll them "belly up" to turn them around.

Any fish hooked in front of, and below their center of mass probably has a leverage advantage over a fish hooked in front of, and above their lateral line, like most gamefish are hooked. If you've ever foul hooked a fish just behind the pectoral fin you know they instantly gain about 3 pounds...untill you see what's happened.

If you hooked a smallie, or a Wiper on the bottom of his chin...... he would probably pull like a carp of the same size.

[Greg]

I have never caught a striper or hybrid - so I can't give an answer there. But of the other gamefish I've caught here is my list:

1. Brown trout - for pure stamina and staying power (the few carp I've caught were at least equal though)

2. smallmouth bass - for ferocity

3. rainbow trout - showiness and leaping ability

I was fishing last weekend in Ark on the Norfork. I caught quite a # of 3 different trout species (brown, rainbow, and cutthroat). I was struck by how different they all 3 fight on the end of a fly rod. The browns are my favorite. They are not showy. But they just don't give up. It's easy to see why they sometimes don't seem to recover if the angler isn't careful after being landed. They sometimes literally fight themselves to exhaustion.

Greg

[trout fanatic]

I am gonna have to go with the smallmouth bass as my top pick...Although, last year I accidentally snagged a 7 lb freshrun winter steelhead in the tail. Battle was epic (just wish I would have been smart enough to figure out I tail hooked it earlier in the fight so I could have broke it off-I spent a long time reviving this fish and it swam away fine-but I always wonder).

Seen on another site, fella kept saying he was catchin "french bass". When someone asked what species they were he posted a picture of a rock bass. Says he has always called them french bass cuz they surrender so easily

[Bman]

Seen on another site, fella kept saying he was catchin "french bass". When someone asked what species they were he posted a picture of a rock bass. Says he has always called them french bass cuz they surrender so easily

[drew03cmc]

If I have one choice, it is a large bluegill. The fish over 9" long fight completely different than the dinks everyone usually catches. A big gill will run for deep water. They may not pull line against a drag or jump, but they are the epitome of never giving up. Also, I would have to say that largemouth in lakes are disappointing. They fight better in streams. Drum are fun, but only because they bulldog. Carp are fun, but not as fun as drum IMO. Green sunfish attack like there is no tomorrow!

[ozarkgunner]

If I have one choice, it is a large bluegill. The fish over 9" long fight completely different than the dinks everyone usually catches. A big gill will run for deep water. They may not pull line against a drag or jump, but they are the epitome of never giving up. Also, I would have to say that largemouth in lakes are disappointing. They fight better in streams. Drum are fun, but only because they bulldog. Carp are fun, but not as fun as drum IMO. Green sunfish attack like there is no tomorrow!

I vote the white bass familly (stripers, hybrids).

[cnr]

Steelhead are the hardest fighting cold water fish hands down, they're acrobatic, fast, and never give up.

[Sumday]

thanks for the input we all have our favorite I remember gettin' spooled by a striper at the Pothole one night

[brownieman]

I'm disappointed...nobody said chubs, lol

[ozarkgunner]

I'm disappointed...nobody said chubs, lol

I think it is odd how sometimes you can stick a really heavy fish that just doesn't want to put up a fight. Then you get a dink that is thinking it's swimming for its life!