Reading Time: 7 minutes
You often hear anglers boast about how hard they fought their catch. And it’s true, there are plenty of species out there that will make you work your tail off to bring them in. But when it comes to the hardest fish to catch, only a handful of species can fill that bracket.
We’re talking creatures that will strain every bit of your line, test your will to the last drop, and make your back as stiff as a board! Today, we’re giving these fish some well-deserved props.
To create our list, we decided to go with a mix of freshwater and saltwater species. Some of these fish owe their elusive status to their sheer strength. Others use their wits to get away from you. And some are just very hard to find. Without further ado, let’s dive in!
Tarpon
As one of the most desirable fish to catch out there, Tarpon are a “right-of-passage” species for countless inshore anglers. Affectionately known as the Silver King, these shimmering brutes have been tearing through anglers’ lines for ages.
There are a few things that make Tarpon a special catch. For one, they’re notoriously hard to hook. Hooking a Tarpon requires patience and skill, so losing the first few (or dozen) shouldn’t really put you off. When you do hook one, however, don’t think for a second that the job is done.
As soon as they take your bait, Tarpon will start putting on an acrobatic show like you’ve never seen before. Gills rattling, jumping out of the water, twisting and turning – these guys will do everything they can to throw your hook. When you see a Tarpon getting ready to jump, the best thing to do is “bow to the king.” Just lower your rod to decrease tension on the line, and enjoy the show.
Outmuscling a Tarpon is a bad idea. Most attempts result in lost gear and a bruised ego. The only way to catch these guys is to tire them out. When a Tarpon gets exhausted, it’ll roll over to its side. That’s when you start pulling them in.
In most places, Tarpon are a strictly catch-and-release species, so make sure you handle them with care. If you want your piece of the Silver King, head for the inshore waters of the Gulf of Mexico, or the south Atlantic coast. As you’d imagine, the best place to hook into a Tarpon is Florida.
Muskellunge
Shifting focus to freshwater, the next rod bender on our list is bound to give you a run for your money. Known as the fish of ten thousand casts, Muskellunge are as elusive and unpredictable as it gets. These fish are native to many lakes and rivers in the Northeast, and are a favorite catch for countless anglers.
Muskies can range anywhere between “small” 28-inchers to huge 50-inch monsters. And while catching a smaller Muskie isn’t the hardest thing in the world, catching a trophy-sized adult will leave you as a different angler. That being said, you’ll have a much easier time catching a 30″ Pike than a 30″ Muskie.
That’s because it’s not just the size of these fish that makes them so hard to land. It’s how painstakingly clever they are. Moody and curious, these fish will follow your hooks many times over before deciding to strike. And when they do, don’t be surprised if their toothy jaws take your bait home.
Fighting a large Muskie is often a long and arduous affair. Catch one, however, and you’ll earn some serious bragging rights. If you want to catch the largest Muskies out there, look no further than the big lakes of Wisconsin. This fighter has earned the title of the official fish of the Badger State for a reason.
Permit
If catching a Tarpon is a right of passage, catching a Permit gets you a lifetime membership in the “badass angler” club. Be warned though: this fish will break your heart. Many times over.
It’s not that Permit are difficult to find. In fact, they are pretty abundant – you can spot a Permit anywhere from Massachusetts down to Brazil. The thing is, Permit are hard fish to catch. They’re some of the most stubborn, unpredictable, and downright frustrating fish there are. And that’s precisely why catching one is so rewarding.
Permit spend most of their time near offshore wrecks, but that’s not where most fishermen catch them. As any Permit angler will tell you, these fish come to show face when they feed, and that happens on shallow flats.
As luck would have it, Permit know that they’re out of their depth here (pun intended), and that makes them extra spooky. On top of that, these hard-nosed fish boast incredible eyesight, so to get close to them, you literally need to walk on water. And here’s the kicker: even if you manage to hook one, they’ll try to throw the hook with nose dives into the seabed, cut your line on rocks, and just be a downright pain.
If you want a piece of this silver devil, make sure you read our detailed guide.
Blue Marlin
Watching a small fish leap out of the water is exciting, but seeing a 1000 lb Billfish do it is enough to make your heart stop. That’s exactly what you get from a Blue Marlin, one of the most iconic game fish on the planet. What’s not to like about this fish?
Between dashing looks, impressive size, and its awe-inspiring physical ability, Blue Marlin has everything an angler could want. On top of that, it’s got a fighting spirit to rival any marine creature on the planet. No wonder the IGFA has it on their logo.
Setting a hook in the hard mouth of a Blue Marlin requires skill and patience. Bringing one to the boat requires that, plus some good ol’ muscle on top. Heck, some people have battled these fish for five hours only to lose them on the line. That’s not to say that you need to be an Olympic athlete to catch these Billfish. But rest assured, catch or lose one, you’re gonna be sore the next day.
Brown Trout
There’s no “hardest fish to catch” list without Brown Trout. Revered by fly fishing enthusiasts, Browns are arguably responsible for more angling obsessions than any other fish out there. Not to be outdone by the larger Rainbow Trout, these fish are pound-for-pound kings of freshwater.
What is it that makes these particular Trout so special? Simply put, Brown Trout are smarter than other fish. In fact, Browns learn and remember things better than any other species of Trout. For a fisherman looking for a challenge, that means a lot.
That also means that, ironically, the hardest Browns you can catch are the ones anglers fish for the most. These particular fish see more lures and flies compared to other Browns, making them more experienced and less likely to fall for “your favorite fly”.
But that’s not all. Once hooked, Brown Trout will put up a fight that would put many saltwater species to shame. They’ll use every inch of their thick bodies to throw your hook, so you’ll need to bring your A-game if you want to land them.
Roosterfish
Native to the fish-filled waters of the Eastern Pacific, Roosterfish is a stand-out fish if there ever was one. Seriously, if there was an award for “coolest looking game fish”, we’re pretty sure this guy would win it in a landslide. But its flamboyant looks aren’t what earned it a spot on our list.
Much like Permit, Roosterfish like to hunt on shallow flats. The difference is, Roosters come so close that you can readily spot them from the shore. That still doesn’t mean that you can easily catch them, mind you.
Roosterfish are common in the 30-45 pound range, so if you’re pulling one from the shore, you’re going to have your hands full. On top of that, these guys don’t muck about when it comes to hunting. They come in aggressively, attacking their prey without hesitation.
As soon as it takes the hook, a Rooster will start a frantic pull, changing directions as if possessed by an unknown force. It might seem like a Shark just came in and decided to take your catch away, but don’t be fooled: it’s just the Rooster taking you for a ride. Be careful if you’re wading for this fish, though, you can end up neck-deep in water!
Swordfish
Swordfish aren’t fish you see every day, and for good reason. Unlike other Billfish, these fearsome creatures prefer to spend most of their time in the deep, dark waters of the ocean. If you were wondering, that means anywhere from 1800 to 5000 feet!
One of the rare occasions when Swordfish come close to the surface is during their nighttime feeding runs. This is why most traditional Swordfishing expeditions happen at night. But in recent years, more and more anglers choose to hunt Swordfish during the day. Whichever way you choose to do it, catching one of these monsters will require some serious gear.
And when we say serious, we don’t just mean first-class, super-heavy tackle. We mean you’ll need top-notch electronics, as well as some oddball items, too. Cue the 10-pound concrete sinker!
But that’s the easy part. Using their broad bills, Swordfish will try to rip your bait to shreds before attempting to eat it. If you’re dropping bait into deep waters, you might not even feel this on your rod. Another challenge is that these deep-dwelling monsters are unbelievably strong. Their stocky bodies and fixed dorsal fins make them even harder to deal with than Marlin!
The Game Changers
It’s pretty clear that catching any of the fish we just mentioned is a bucket list achievement. Heck, anglers will call just seeing some of these a success! From fierce fighters to illusory brainiacs, these critters will leave you scratching your head in disbelief almost any time you try to catch them. But that’s why it’s called fishing, not catching. Practice makes perfect, so find a guide near you and start trying!
That was our pick of the hardest fish to catch, but what are your favorite targets? Have you ever caught one of these fish yourself? Let us know in the comment below!
