Salmon. 20-30 pound run Salmon while they're still healthy. I fight them right in the marina, have to fight a tough fish and work it around docks/buoys and everything else. Plus I only catch them on a small 7'1" pole with 15 pound braid test. Makes it a ton of fun.

Chain Pickerel. Elusive, fight hard, tasty if you know how to clean them.

Redfish, they are basically giant saltwater smallmouths. 

I have many species I love to catch but snook are my favorite.  The average fish is just big enough to give a nice fight, but there is a pretty good upsize.  Not one of the more difficult fish to catch, but some knowledge is required.  Being a non aggressive fish enticing a strike isn't always easy, there is a degree of challenge involved.  Physically they are pretty easy to handle, don't have sharp teeth to worry about, once you catch a few you are well aware of the sharp gill plates, doesn't pose a problem.  Each one is different some go deep and others like to go airborn when hooked.

Stripers(or hybrids)! I grew up fishing for them and my family is the striper kings on Lake Hartwell. I love the fight and the taste!

 

Pike because they hit and fight hard, are often willing biters on moving baits when bass are not, we have good numbers of them around here, and big ones are just plain fun on bass gear.

X2

I have yet to catch a walleye (lost one through the ice yesterday) but I plan to get my first this year. My favorite other than bass right now is yellow perch on Lake Erie. Just gotta be prepared for the occasional smallie, white bass and sheephead. Last time out we were haulin in 12" yellows all day!

1.Bowfin- Sometime in late July when they stack up you're pulling out 18-30 inch fish by the cast!