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

Bowfin.  

Ounce-for-ounce:   Redear Sunfish

Among those listed:   Bowfin

Roger

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.

peacock bass. those are some fighters.

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.

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.

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

#1: Esox masquinongy: muskellunge  

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-)

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

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

musky,pike,pickeral

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.

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.

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. :-[

Northern PIKE!

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

Falcon

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.

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

I think that is what we call "Rock Bass"

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

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

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

MUSKIES

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

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

Pound for pound SMALLIES HANDS DOWN!!!