I really like all of the redhorses, but if I had to pick one it would be the River Redhorse. It only lives in very clean large river systems, and thrives where wild midwestern rivers are left alone by civilization. I like these rivers. A river is always a special catch.
It would have to be the Lake Sturgeon for me, I think. Fish well over 100 lbs are caught in my area every year now it seems like. One of those that size would surely be the catch of a lifetime for just about any angler. I'd die a happy angler catching one like that. Its tough to make the call on an overall favorite though. A very close second would be the Greater Redhorse or Flathead Catfish.
Too many great ones out there to deciede between but I pretty much always say Lake Sturgeon when asked. Greaters, Rivers, Bowfin, Flatheads,Channels, and Mooneyes rounding out the noteworthy list. aw hell, pretty much anything. I don't even mind catching perch.
Still carp for me. They are widely accessible, can be caught without much difficulty, have a nice average size, put up a great fight and yet the huge carp (30 pounds or bigger in my mind) are a rare catch in Minnesota. I still get very excited to hook up on one since the fight is tremendous and you are hoping they won't snag you up in cover. Even a 4 pounder can tire your arms - especially ones that live in fast water. Of course I like many different fish but carp are outstanding.
I was going to say Northern Hog Sucker, just because every time I catch one it puts a big smile on my face. But then I think about bowfin, which are just so badass. I could say sturgeon, but they're not something I get to go after very often. It would have to be a redhorse. I think I'll pick the Greater Redhorse, because they fight like a bulldog and are so cool-looking. Plus they live in some really wild places that are fun to explore.
I also have trouble maintaining loyalty to any one particular species as that typically changes with my mood and the season. Right now, I'm really into lake trout and plan to spend most of the winter trying to catch as big a one as I can under the ice. It's the hardest pulling fish around my parts so why not.
The fish I pursue the most though are lake whitefish. It's my main food fish staple and I find there is always something new to learn about catching them, which, of course, helps keep it interesting.
I too am partial to anything that I am fishing for at the time. I even enjoy Sunny fishing and I am never one to complain when I see a 24"+ inch Walleye (yes, yes - the hated walleye!) on the end of my line.
There is definitely something cool about catching White suckers though. Most guys around here have never even seen one. I have had people ask me if they were Sea lampreys.
Most days I am dreaming of Arctic char though.
Chain Pickerel: All the bad assery of a Northern Pike wrapped up in a smaller, prettier package.
I guess I'd say channel cats. They run big/decent sized where I live. They don't nibble on a bait, they just hammer it. They fight well and look pretty cool.
Where I was born, there's a fish called the dorado (salminus brasilliensis) which grows large, and looks like an oversized, yellow piranha. To my surprise, they actually aren't on the lifelist for South America, but they give an excellent fight, and have good meat.
Who's gonna turn down a Junior Mint? It's chocolate, it's peppermint -- it's delicious!
Carp are definitely the fish I go after the most, but I will also spend a lot of time chasing after freshwater Drum. They are just so much fun. They fight like a beast and once they break for the current all you can do is hold on.
I will have to echo Eli's response of whatever I am fishing for. If I had to choose, I would say Bowfin. To me they represent the Junkyard dog of the fishing world, and a worthy opponent on any bait or tackle.
Just your run of the mill Orvis Boy. Fly fishing elitist. I cannot hear you over my false casting. All guided trips every day.
I really like all of the redhorses, but if I had to pick one it would be the River Redhorse. It only lives in very clean large river systems, and thrives where wild midwestern rivers are left alone by civilization. I like these rivers. A river is always a special catch.
It would have to be the Lake Sturgeon for me, I think. Fish well over 100 lbs are caught in my area every year now it seems like. One of those that size would surely be the catch of a lifetime for just about any angler. I'd die a happy angler catching one like that. Its tough to make the call on an overall favorite though. A very close second would be the Greater Redhorse or Flathead Catfish.
For me its always been the Bowfin, I think they are the ultimate rough-fish.
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DavidG Blog: http://www.boundless-pursuit.com
Too many great ones out there to deciede between but I pretty much always say Lake Sturgeon when asked. Greaters, Rivers, Bowfin, Flatheads,Channels, and Mooneyes rounding out the noteworthy list. aw hell, pretty much anything. I don't even mind catching perch.
Still carp for me. They are widely accessible, can be caught without much difficulty, have a nice average size, put up a great fight and yet the huge carp (30 pounds or bigger in my mind) are a rare catch in Minnesota. I still get very excited to hook up on one since the fight is tremendous and you are hoping they won't snag you up in cover. Even a 4 pounder can tire your arms - especially ones that live in fast water. Of course I like many different fish but carp are outstanding.
"There's always a bigger fish"
I'm going to go with the old cliche answer and say 'whatever I happen to be fishing for at the time'...I actually feel that way too quite often.
The rest of the time I just daydream and lust after Arctic Grayling.
Eli
I was going to say Northern Hog Sucker, just because every time I catch one it puts a big smile on my face. But then I think about bowfin, which are just so badass. I could say sturgeon, but they're not something I get to go after very often. It would have to be a redhorse. I think I'll pick the Greater Redhorse, because they fight like a bulldog and are so cool-looking. Plus they live in some really wild places that are fun to explore.
Too many to choose from, so I'll echo Eli's answer.
Which, at this time of year, is Big Pike!
Fishn sure is neat
I also have trouble maintaining loyalty to any one particular species as that typically changes with my mood and the season. Right now, I'm really into lake trout and plan to spend most of the winter trying to catch as big a one as I can under the ice. It's the hardest pulling fish around my parts so why not.
The fish I pursue the most though are lake whitefish. It's my main food fish staple and I find there is always something new to learn about catching them, which, of course, helps keep it interesting.
mike b
im going to settle on the northern pikeminnow. they are a gorgeous hard fighting fish
I could never pick one so I choose salmonids esox and carps. But you also gotta love bowfin and gars
I too am partial to anything that I am fishing for at the time. I even enjoy Sunny fishing and I am never one to complain when I see a 24"+ inch Walleye (yes, yes - the hated walleye!) on the end of my line.
There is definitely something cool about catching White suckers though. Most guys around here have never even seen one. I have had people ask me if they were Sea lampreys.
Most days I am dreaming of Arctic char though.
Chain Pickerel: All the bad assery of a Northern Pike wrapped up in a smaller, prettier package.
I guess I'd say channel cats. They run big/decent sized where I live. They don't nibble on a bait, they just hammer it. They fight well and look pretty cool.
Where I was born, there's a fish called the dorado (salminus brasilliensis) which grows large, and looks like an oversized, yellow piranha. To my surprise, they actually aren't on the lifelist for South America, but they give an excellent fight, and have good meat.
Who's gonna turn down a Junior Mint? It's chocolate, it's peppermint -- it's delicious!
you've really had people ask you if the were lampreys??
you have dorado?? i've seen pictures but not actual fish. thats pretty cool!
The gods do not subtract the alotted span in men's lives the hours spent in fishing.
Carp are definitely the fish I go after the most, but I will also spend a lot of time chasing after freshwater Drum. They are just so much fun. They fight like a beast and once they break for the current all you can do is hold on.
I would have to say the channel catfish. They fight hard and are delicious.
I will have to echo Eli's response of whatever I am fishing for. If I had to choose, I would say Bowfin. To me they represent the Junkyard dog of the fishing world, and a worthy opponent on any bait or tackle.
Just your run of the mill Orvis Boy. Fly fishing elitist. I cannot hear you over my false casting. All guided trips every day.
Fishing for compliments since 88.