Freshwater Fish that are hardest to catch

Anglers often boast of how hard they fought for prey. And that's true, there are many seeds out there that you would have to cut off your tail to bring in. But we're talking about creatures that strain every bit of your line, test your will to the last drop, and stiffen your back as a board! Today we are giving some props suitable for these fish. For hard-to-catch fish, only a handful of seeds can fill the bracket.

We chose to include both freshwater and saltwater species in our list. The sheer strength of certain fish accounts for their elusive status. Others evade you by using their brains. Some are simply impossible to locate. Let's get started without further ado!

Tarpon

One of the most coveted catches out there, Tarpon is a "right of passage" species for countless shore anglers. Lovingly known as the Silver King, these shimmering beasts have been through the line of anglers for years.

There are a few things that make Tarpon a remarkable catch. For one thing, they are notorious for being difficult to hook. It takes patience and skill to hook a Tarpon. So losing the first few (or a dozen) doesn't really put you off. However, when catching, don't think for a moment that you're done.

As soon as they feed you, the Tarpon begins an acrobatic show as you've never seen before. These guys will do everything they can to throw your hook, including rattling their gills, jumping out of the water, and twisting and turning. The greatest thing to do when you notice a Tarpon getting ready to jump is to "bow to the king." Simply lower your rod to reduce line pressure and watch the spectacle.

It's not a good idea to try to outmuscle a Tarpon. The majority of attempts result in misplaced gear and a shattered ego. The only way to apprehend these guys is to exhaust them. When a Tarpon becomes tired, it will roll to one side. This is when you begin to bring them in.

Tarpon is a strictly catch-and-release species in most regions, so handle them carefully. If you want a piece of the Silver King, head to the Gulf of Mexico's inshore waters or the south Atlantic coast. Florida, as you might expect, is the best place to catch a Tarpon.

Muskellunge

When you shift your focus to freshwater, the next rod vendor on our list is sure to give you some value for money. The muscle tissue known as 10,000 cast fish is elusive and unpredictable. These fish are native to many lakes and rivers in the northeast and are popular with countless anglers.

Muskies can be as tiny as 28 inches long or as large as 50 inches long. While getting a tiny Muskie isn't difficult, snagging a trophy-sized adult will transform you into a completely different angler. However, capturing a 30" Pike will be considerably easier than catching a 30" Muskie.

Landing is difficult not only because of the size of the fish. It's how meticulous and wise they are. These moody and curious fish chase your hook many times before deciding to attack. And when they do, don't be surprised if their toothed jaws bring your food home.

Fighting a huge Muskie may be a long and exhausting experience. However, if you catch one, you'll have some significant bragging rights. The vast lakes of Wisconsin are the place to go if you want to catch the biggest Muskies on the planet. This combatant has acquired the title of Badger State's official fish for a reason.

Permit

If catching Tarpon is a right of passage, catching a Permit will give you lifetime membership in the “Badass Anglers Club”. However, be careful. This fish breaks your heart.
Finding a Permit is not difficult. In fact, they are so numerous that you can find Permits anywhere from Massachusetts to Brazil. They are some of the most stubborn, unpredictable, and totally frustrating fish. And that's exactly why catching it is so gratifying.

Permit spend their maximum time close to offshore wrecks, however, that`s now no longer wherein most fishermen capture them. As any Permit angler will inform you, those fish come to expose face after they feed, and that takes place on shallow flats.

As good fortune could have it, Permit is aware they`re out in their intensity here (pun intended), making them greater spooky. On top of that, those hard-nosed fish boasts fantastic eyesight, to be able to get near them, you actually want to stroll on the water. And here`s the kicker: even in case you control to hook one, they`ll attempt to throw the hook with nostril dives into the seabed, reduce your line on rocks, and simply be an absolute pain.

Blue Marlin

It's thrilling to see a little fish leap out of the water, but seeing a 1000 lb Billfish do it will make your heart stop. That's exactly what you get with a Blue Marlin, one of the world's most recognizable game fish on the planet. What’s not to like about this species?

Blue Marlin has everything an angler could want, including dashing beauty, remarkable size, and awe-inspiring physical capabilities. It also has a fighting spirit that rivals that of any other marine organism on the globe. It's no surprise that the IGFA has it as part of their logo.

Setting a hook on Blue Marlin's tough mouth requires skill and patience. Bringing one to the boat additionally requires some good ol’ muscle on top. Damn, some people fought these fish for only 5 hours to lose them on the line. That doesn't mean you have to be an Olympic athlete to catch these swordfish. But rest assured, catch one or lose one, you will be furious the next day.

Brown Trout

Without brown trout, there is no list of the most difficult fish to catch. The Browns are respected by fly fishing fishermen and are more responsible for their obsession with fishing than any other fish. Unmatched by the large rainbow trout, these fish are comparable to freshwater pound kings.

What is the reason this particular Trout is so special? Simply put, Brown Trout are smarter than other fish. Browns actually learn and remember better than any other type of Trout. For fishermen looking for defiance, that means a lot.

That also implies that the toughest Browns to capture are the ones that fishermen target the most. When compared to other Browns, these fish see more lures and flies, making them more experienced and less prone to fall for "your favorite fly".

That's not all, though. Brown Trout put up a fight that would put many saltwater species to shame if hooked. If you want to land them, you'll need to bring your A-game since they'll use every inch of their massive bodies to hurl your hook.

Roosterfish

The Roosterfish, which grows naturally in the fish-rich waters of the eastern Pacific, is an outstanding fish if any. Seriously, if there was the coolest game fish award, we are confident that this guy will win it in a landslide. But that extravagant look wasn't on our list.

Roosterfish, like Permit, like shallow flats to hunt. Roosters, on the other hand, come so close that they can be seen from the shore. That doesn't imply you'll have an easy time catching them.

Roosters are common in the range of 30 to 45 pounds. So pulling one off the shore fills your hands. Besides, these guys don't care about hunting. They come aggressively and attack their prey without hesitation.

As soon as it takes the hook, the Rooster begins a distressed pull and turns as if he were obsessed with an unknown force. It may look like a shark came in and decided to catch it, but don't be fooled. It's just a rooster taking you. Be careful when walking this fish, but you may get water up to your neck!

Swordfish

Swordfish aren't commonly seen and with good cause. These terrifying predators, unlike other Billfish, prefer to spend most of their time in the deep, dark waters of the ocean. If you're curious, that means somewhere between 1800 and 5000 feet!

One of the rare opportunities for Swordfish to approach the surface of the water is during night feeding. For this reason, most traditional Swordfish expeditions take place at night. However, in recent years, more and more anglers have chosen to hunt Swordfish during the day. No matter how you decide, you'll need a lot of equipment to catch one of these monsters.

And when we take it seriously, we don't just mean top-notch, super-heavy tackles. I think you'll also need top-notch electronics and weird items. Cue the 10-pound concrete sinker!

But that's only the beginning. Swordfish will try to rip your bait to shreds with their broad bills before attempting to eat it. You might not even see this on your rod if you're dropping bait into deep waters. Another difficulty is that these deep-sea monsters are incredibly powerful. They're much more difficult to handle than Marlin because of their stocky bodies and fixed dorsal fins!

In a nutshell

Obviously, catching any of the fish we just described is a bucket list accomplishment. Anglers will consider simply witnessing some of these a success! These critters will have you scratching your head in doubt practically every time you try to catch them, from strong warriors to exceptionally intelligent people. That is, after all, why it is called fishing rather than catching. Practice makes perfect, so locate a local guide and give it a shot!
That was the most difficult fish choice we have to catch, but what is your favorite pick out? Have you ever caught one of these fish yourself? Let us know in the comments below!