1. Catfish
2. Longnose Gar
3. Any other Gar, Carp, Buffalo, Drum
4. Perch/BlueGill/Bream
9875. Bass

1. Bull Bream (bluegill, redears and yellowbreasted sunfish)
2. Crappie
3. Blue catfish then flatheads

Saltwater -
AJ's
Kings
Dolphin
Grouper

I've yet to go Saltwater fishing, but I hope to be able too some day.

Brew- I've been spooled the same way by carp before, including one on 20lb test on a baitcaster. So it happens, they are a little more power then speed generally though, I think Stripers, Hybrids, and Redfish are the only freshwater that match them, or at least, come close.

The longest fight I've ever had was a carp, my PB, about 23 pounds probably, I caught him on 6lb test, and it took me 32 minutes. He stripped off somewhere between 50-100 yards of line, several times. Then of course there were plenty of shorter runs.

The most drag I've had taken off recently was a carp from Cottonreel, it was only a 7 pounder but he ran and ran for a loong time, it was awesome.

Crappie
Redfish
Sandies/Hybrids
Stripers
Bass

"I think Stripers, Hybrids, and Redfish are the only freshwater that match them, or at least, come close"

Nothing fights harder than a longnose gar IMO..and i'm a catfish/gar/carp/buff guy. The other gars, spotted/short/alligator dont fight nearly as hard as the longnose. Blue's also put up a heck of a fight

I've caught longnose, they do fight nice, but I've yet to catch any over about 8-10 pounds. If I can catch a long nose the size of some of the carp I've caught, especially side by side on the same gear, then I'd be able to form a better opinion about who fights better lol.

Starless, if you want to catch some BIG longnose gar, try fishing at granbury. That lake is loaded with them. I hooked a 60# one last year and fought that thing for 30min on my catfish setup.

Kevin,

Yes, when you get back from Lake of the Woods, I am sure that you will have Northerns, Muskies and Smallies at the top of your list.

I had my first taste of Musky Fever at Lake of the Woods in 1990 when a huge Musky over 50" came up and nosed my topwater 3 times but wouldn't take it. Your pulse rate goes up dramatically, your stomach is churning and you are just dreaming about what might happen. Unfortunately, I had to have my dreams over several cold beers at the cabin that evening because she never would take the bait. With Muskies that is not unusual. Hope you hook a big old hawg Musky or Northern.

Awesome fight with a 20lbs GAR on a 8lbs line.. He took my lure along side the boat...

stripers & small mouth, but i'd give anything to land a big ole PEACOCK BASS!

LARGEMOUTH BASS!!!!!!!!!!!

1. Carp
2. Big Buffalo
2. Schooling Sandies
4. Catfish
5. Perch

If cottonreel was bigger I think we'd see people get spooled on ultralights. Been a while since I've seen carp that run like that. Now that I have a fly rod, I can't wait to get into a Carp on it!

Gotta revise that, gave cats too much credit cause I like to eat em.

1. Carp
2. Big Buffalo
2. Schooling Sandies
4. Perch
5. Catfish

I forgot about Northern Pike and Muskie. They are a blast to catch. especially the big ones. That would have to be number 3 and 4 on my list as well. The fun thing about pike is they all hit the same-big or little, like a train. Then after they are on you know if you have a fight or not.

Flathead catfish
Blue Catfish
Channel Catfish
Alligator Gar