I've seen 3lb Rudd cruising around in the Upper Niagara...and there have been some 4lb+ Rudd caught on the US side.
The big ones are super smart and very difficult to catch. Superior eyesight and extreme sensitivity to light and vibration.
Try to target them...before you knock them.
A big Rudd can pull just the same as a Carp of similar size.
The whole fishing diffrent species thing really changes the ball game alot, really add exsitment and new advantures instead of always going for the same popular game fish. I started pursuing diffrent species in my hometown such as bullheads, sauger, cisco, whitefish, goldeye, white suckers and many others and these days i get more pumped catching them then the usual walleye. Rudd does get me curious, if i have time on the trip i may try for them.