My friend and I were talking on the boat yesterday and the topic came to the best freshwater fighting fish. Now for this to work, we need to be talking about pound for pound, because a big muskie will obviously fight harder than most or the others. Lets set the limit at 5 pounds.

So, for a 5 pound fish, which one do you think would fight the hardest. My friend and I were actually leaning towards bluegill. My friend read a book estimating that a 7 pound bluegill would require heavy tackle to land, which would not surprise me.

So lets hear it, best (freshwater) fighters anyone?

Well I actually think that the small mouth will fight the hardest but I accidently clicked catfish and now I can't remove my vote so even though my vote is on catfish I think smallies fight best.

I think pound for pound, it's the bluegill.  Now, what would I rather catch?  A bass.

Ounce for ounce - Bluegill, hands down.

Out of all other fish listed I'd say a Small Mouth when it comes to fight to weight ratios.

gamefish smallmouth bass   or wipers (they hit lures like a freight train)

trash fish carp

ive never caught a walleye that had 1 ounce of fight they are all very lathargic here just swim right to the boat beggin to be eaten ;D

Smallies all the way.

My vote goes to the Metal Mouths (Steelhead) that run into the rivers sometime about the end of Dec. first of January in the Pacific Northwest....... those bad boys will break you off and break your heart in a matter of moments.

Smallies.

Pound for pound, bluegill. Inch for Inch, Pickerel

Even though I voted for SM (having fished Lake Erie for years I'm prejudiced  ), I'm surprised no one has pitched a vote for spotted bass.  They can be a rip snorter    Another scrapper is the shellcracker.  On light tackle they're dynamite.  For another education, try bluegill on fly fishing tackle.

I'd have to go with the Peacock bass.

It would be a tossup between a Peacock & a Striper; since you don't list striper I'll vote Peacock.  

i like the fight of the peacock.

hybrid and striped bass

Spotted bass - smallmouth - Bluegill

Pound for Pound, a Bluegill. A 1 pound bluegill fights as good or better than a 3 pound bass.

I voted peacock bass.  Why you may think.  Well when the top dog in Smallmouth Fishing...KVD...says they fight harder than a smallmouth, and his brother Randy VanDam(has the record for Ohio) also says so.  I am going to say...Peacock Bass.

its a toss up for me...smallie and hybrid striper.....in my experience a smallie almost always gets airborne....but the hybrids run deep and fast...both are great fun

Cliff

Guys, I've got to give it to the saltwater fish for the best fight by far so I voted "other".  In particular, the Jack Cravelle.  I've caught a ton of mean fish but those things are BAD!!!

The best fighting fish I have ever caught would have to be monster size river red fish. I was fishing with my uncle in some river down in NC and caught a gigantic red fish. However after catching a small red fish in a bay my idea's on red fish changed since it seems only the large ones fight good.

Game fish : Small mouth

Trash fish : Carp

Salt water fish : Not really sure.

Guys, I've got to give it to the saltwater fish for the best fight by far so I voted "other". In particular, the Jack Cravelle. I've caught a ton of mean fish but those things are BAD!!!

That was kinda funny...I was gonna ask you where you would find a Jack in Fresh water...then I read your post...lol.   So which to you is the best FRESH WATER fighting fish?......kinda the question in the first place.

I have to say bluegill.

Second would be the striper hybrids (wipers), but you don't list those. I agree with TheRedTorpedoe on that one. Deep, fast runs are a lot of fun. These are the fish that have made my drag scream more than any other.

For me Bluegill, followed by smallies.

I have to go with smallies.  Sometimes while fishing on the Greenbrier I will catch a few larger size fish in the three to four pound range.  My God,  I have to rest after the fight.  They just will not give up!!!

Of the fish you listed I went with the Smallies.

But pound for pound the toughest fish I have ever caught was a Florida Tarpon. It took hours to bring that sucker in.

Without a doubt, smallies.

Falcon