I think almost any fish that lives in a river has to survive in current, so they have the strength and stamina to put up a good fight like the smallmouth.

From personal experience, the least fighting fish I've ever caught was Pickerel.

Guess they're like a cheetah, fast but wear out quick.

3 hours ago, dsw1204 said:

I am currently visiting in the Tampa area.  Are there any Peacocks around this area?

No, too far north.  Palm Beaches are their limit so far.  Can't survive cold temps.

IMO, the best fight would be from a smallie. The strongest would be a catfish.

On 6/10/2023 at 4:25 AM, Darnold335 said:

Musky on bass gear yeah feel insane. Musky on real musky gear generally aren’t that impressive.

My experience too. My standard muskie gear can handle a sizable fish with ease, whereas if I accidentally pile into one on my bass gear it feels like I hooked into a submarine.

And of course a 5lb bass on muskie gear feels like you caught a minnow.  Only saving grace with walleyes is you can fish light tackle as cover isn't the problem making them feel artificially bigger.  Wearing them out is no big deal either if you plan to eat them.  Once a year is enough for me though, I just don't find pursuing them fun.

Fresh water is a musky/pike and then the snakehead

Pound for pound nothing beats a peacock.

14 minutes ago, geo g said:

Pound for pound nothing beats a peacock.

Pound for pound nothing beats a Cichlid period....... having grown up in a tropical fish store as a child. ?

Cool topic I have no clue! I’ve had a 25#Muskie fight less than a 5lb bass a few times but on occasion the Muskie took my kayak for a cruise…. Sorry a bit off topic

No one has mentioned common carp..It is a very sporting fight, you will think your getting spooled, and with using small hooks lighter gear is mandatory. But of course nothing tries to jump like a smallie.

Pound for pound probably river smallmouth, but a 30 pound flathead on a Shakey head and bass gear peels drag like no other.