Sellersrobe Posted August 18, 2018 Posted August 18, 2018 I was thinking about getting a smallmouth mount. I need a rather cheap mount, and a taxidermist who can go off pictures. Any recommendations? Quote
Super User Dwight Hottle Posted August 18, 2018 Super User Posted August 18, 2018 Best & cheap don't go together when looking for quality. Good luck with that. 4 Quote
Glaucus Posted August 18, 2018 Posted August 18, 2018 Do you need a Ferrari that's affordable too? ? Quote
Sellersrobe Posted August 18, 2018 Author Posted August 18, 2018 54 minutes ago, Dwight Hottle said: Best & cheap don't go together when looking for quality. Good luck with that. Would you consider the fish I posted about (I added a picture) to be a mount worthy fish? Obviously this is different to everyone, I just want to make sure if I spend a lot of money it'll be worth it. Again, I know everyone has different standards. Just wondering yours. 1 minute ago, Glaucus said: Do you need a Ferrari that's affordable too? ? Wouldn't mind it ? don't worry I get the idea. Go big or go home. Now for mowing lawns for a couple of months... Quote
SWVABass Posted August 18, 2018 Posted August 18, 2018 I’m sure you can find someone to do it. Don’t skimp on getting something mounted because in 20 years or less you will regret it. Keep digital copies of the photos, don’t loose the measurements, and save up. Or take your winnings and pump that into getting your replica done, instead of buying more tackle ? Quote
Sellersrobe Posted August 18, 2018 Author Posted August 18, 2018 1 minute ago, Swbass15 said: I’m sure you can find someone to do it. Don’t skimp on getting something mounted because in 20 years or less you will regret it. Keep digital copies of the photos, don’t loose the measurements, and save up. Or take your winnings and pump that into getting your replica done, instead of buying more tackle ? Lol I'd love winnings, but this is a youth program where a bunch of guys who know what they're doing take a bunch of dumb kids and show them everything they do wrong ? the sad part was this wasn't even the big fish. Someone caught a 6 lb largie (massive for ct) Quote
Super User slonezp Posted August 19, 2018 Super User Posted August 19, 2018 http://www.douglastaxidermy.com/ This guy is doing a walleye for me right now. His studio has some of the best work I've seen. As far as "cheap", that is a relative term. Are you talking $100 cheap, $500 cheap, or $1000 cheap? Quote
Super User Dwight Hottle Posted August 19, 2018 Super User Posted August 19, 2018 2 hours ago, Sellersrobe said: Would you consider the fish I posted about (I added a picture) to be a mount worthy fish? Obviously this is different to everyone, I just want to make sure if I spend a lot of money it'll be worth it. Again, I know everyone has different standards. Just wondering yours. You are right personal trophies are relative to the angler & the body of water he fishes. When I first started fishing for smallmouth I quickly set my goal to catch an actual 5lber. When I achieved that goal I strived to catch a 6lber. When I caught my first 6 my buddy asked me if I was going to keep it for a mount. I thought about & then released it. I told him I would catch a bigger one. I released my PB a 7-6 and never considered a mount or replica. My replica goal is a 8lber. My advice to you is let your gut tell you. If you fish quality waters you will top out above 5lbs. Maybe even bigger than 6. 1 Quote
Super User slonezp Posted August 19, 2018 Super User Posted August 19, 2018 32 minutes ago, Dwight Hottle said: You are right personal trophies are relative to the angler & the body of water he fishes. When I first started fishing for smallmouth I quickly set my goal to catch an actual 5lber. When I achieved that goal I strived to catch a 6lber. When I caught my first 6 my buddy asked me if I was going to keep it for a mount. I thought about & then released it. I told him I would catch a bigger one. I released my PB a 7-6 and never considered a mount or replica. My replica goal is a 8lber. My advice to you is let your gut tell you. If you fish quality waters you will top out above 5lbs. Maybe even bigger than 6. I have a 4 pounder on my wall I got 10 years ago. Caught a 6 pounder this spring. Her picture is on the wall and she's back in the lake. If I didn't already have a smallmouth on the wall the 6 pounder would be up there. 1 Quote
Global Moderator 12poundbass Posted August 19, 2018 Global Moderator Posted August 19, 2018 11 minutes ago, slonezp said: I have a 4 pounder on my wall I got 10 years ago. Caught a 6 pounder this spring. Her picture is on the wall and she's back in the lake. If I didn't already have a smallmouth on the wall the 6 pounder would be up there. You can't have too many. I'm sure you have plenty of wall space. Fill it up! 1 1 Quote
GReb Posted August 19, 2018 Posted August 19, 2018 My first mount was done fairly cheap by a guy who did it on the side. It was 20 years ago and the mount is not looking too good these days. If you are going to do it, spend the money on a quality mount by a reputable taxidermist. Today i would go with a replica though. They look great and last forever. Plus the fish lives Quote
SWVABass Posted August 19, 2018 Posted August 19, 2018 @Sellersrobe well take advantage of that chance to learn from a more experienced angler and build on it. As far as it not being the big who cares? You landed a toad for a smallmouth and if you want something on the wall to remember it but then so be it. If not keep hammering away and you’ll get what you are looking for. Quote
Super User MickD Posted August 19, 2018 Super User Posted August 19, 2018 Take pics, release the fish, and find a replica taxidermist. Quote
Sellersrobe Posted August 19, 2018 Author Posted August 19, 2018 1 hour ago, MickD said: Take pics, release the fish, and find a replica taxidermist. That's exactly what I did. Sadly the fish was too stressed out and didn't make it, but I figured it'd be better to release it anyways on the miracle it would make it, or at least return the nutrients to the foodchain. I have some pictures to use for a replica. Quote
Super User MickD Posted August 19, 2018 Super User Posted August 19, 2018 Regarding releasing fish, I read recently about releasing bonefish that if the fish is not dripping water, it's been out of the water too long. I've been keeping fish out too long, but will change my behavior after reading that. I'm not implying anything, but thought this perspective was worth passing on. Quote
Sellersrobe Posted August 19, 2018 Author Posted August 19, 2018 4 minutes ago, MickD said: Regarding releasing fish, I read recently about releasing bonefish that if the fish is not dripping water, it's been out of the water too long. I've been keeping fish out too long, but will change my behavior after reading that. I'm not implying anything, but thought this perspective was worth passing on. Thank you. The fault can only be my own since I caught it. I think I should've fizzed it, but didn't have the equipment. Again, nobody's fault but my own. Nothing I can do to change that, but going forward I will always have the stuff needed and make sure to keep it in water as much as possible. Quote
22RangerZ520R Posted August 19, 2018 Posted August 19, 2018 Here's my PB smallie replica, 6lb 4oz. Dave Campbell did it, he's one of the best in the country. Other companies like Lake Fork Taxidermy, etc in the $500 price range can't touch his paint jobs. He did my PB largemouth too. Dave told me that most people's deciding factors on the replica comes down to price, but this is one place where you don't want to "cut corners" and go cheap..... It's something that will hang on your wall and you'll be able to enjoy the rest of your life (unless you get a cheapo' mount done, then you'll regret it). Both of my PB's are on his website under the "master grade" examples and I've posted pics of my PB largemouth on this website as well. Good luck with your search... www.davecampbellfish.com 3 Quote
Sellersrobe Posted August 19, 2018 Author Posted August 19, 2018 5 minutes ago, 18RangerZ520L said: Here's my PB smallie replica, 6lb 4oz. Dave Campbell did it, he's one of the best in the country. Other companies like Lake Fork Taxidermy, etc in the $500 price range can't touch his paint jobs. He did my PB largemouth too. Dave told me that most people's deciding factors on the replica comes down to price, but this is one place where you don't want to "cut corners" and go cheap..... It's something that will hang on your wall and you'll be able to enjoy the rest of your life (unless you get a cheapo' mount done, then you'll regret it). Both of my PB's are on his website under the "master grade" examples and I've posted pics of my PB largemouth on this website as well. Good luck with your search... www.davecampbellfish.com wow... that's amazing. I just shot him an email to ask about prices. Thanks! Quote
22RangerZ520R Posted August 19, 2018 Posted August 19, 2018 4 minutes ago, Sellersrobe said: wow... that's amazing. I just shot him an email to ask about prices. Thanks! No problem. He's at the high end of the price spectrum, so be sitting down when he responds to your email. I got his "top of the line" / Master Grade finish on both of my PB's and seeing them in person they were worth every penny! You get what you pay for! Keep in mind there's a reason a Lamborghini costs more than a KIA......... Good luck. Quote
22RangerZ520R Posted August 19, 2018 Posted August 19, 2018 Here's my PB largemouth he did, 12lb 8oz: Quote
Super User Jar11591 Posted August 19, 2018 Super User Posted August 19, 2018 33 minutes ago, 18RangerZ520L said: Here's my PB smallie replica, 6lb 4oz. Dave Campbell did it, he's one of the best in the country. Other companies like Lake Fork Taxidermy, etc in the $500 price range can't touch his paint jobs. He did my PB largemouth too. Dave told me that most people's deciding factors on the replica comes down to price, but this is one place where you don't want to "cut corners" and go cheap..... It's something that will hang on your wall and you'll be able to enjoy the rest of your life (unless you get a cheapo' mount done, then you'll regret it). Both of my PB's are on his website under the "master grade" examples and I've posted pics of my PB largemouth on this website as well. Good luck with your search... www.davecampbellfish.com Thats one of the best mounts I have ever seen. Very impressive. Quote
22RangerZ520R Posted August 20, 2018 Posted August 20, 2018 15 hours ago, Jar11591 said: Thats one of the best mounts I have ever seen. Very impressive. Thanks. I'm glad I spent the extra money and went with him. They look even better in person! Quote
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