Need Help With Replica Mount

[MO_TightLines]

Alright guys, I need your help. So last year on April 22nd I caught my Personal Best Largemouth Bass weighing in at 7.7lbs. I told myself I would fish the rest of the year to see if I could better it and if not i would do a replica. Well, the year came to an end and I didn't catch anything bigger, so today I called the place I've been looking at and gave them all the dimensions and pictures of my fish.

 

Well, they got back with me and here in lies my problem. The fish was short and had a massive belly. She measured 21 3/4 inches in length and 17 1/2 inches in girth. Well, they don't have any molds that can replicate the belly sag that "MY" fish had. So I don't feel like it's an accurate representation of my fish. The closest they can come is 22" length and 16.5" girth. So here's my question. Am I being to picky and particular here or do I have valid concern? I am almost of the mindset to just print some pictures off, frame them and hang them up.

 

This is my first wall hanger and was really wanting it to represent the fish I caught. I hope a bigger one come's along, but you just never know.

 

 

[Jig Man]

I'd contact another company.

[Vilas15]

Do they have an example of one from that mold they can show you to compare? The  1/4" of length shouldn't matter at all but an inch of girth might make a difference in how it looks. If it's not close enough then look at some other companies.

[MO_TightLines]

3 minutes ago, Vilas15 said:

Do they have an example of one from that mold they can show you to compare? The  1/4" of length shouldn't matter at all but an inch of girth might make a difference in how it looks. If it's not close enough then look at some other companies.

Yeah I'm not worried about the 1/4 of length, but the almost 1' of girth makes the belly of the replica mold look much different than the belly of my fish. That is what I'm just not sure i can live with.

[Mobasser]

Nice fish! Before you give up in frustration, I would shop around. I'll bet someone can make your fish look correct for you

[Bluebasser86]

You can get some really cool pictures  done of your fish. Have it blown up and framed in a nice frame. Replicas are neat, but a picture captures the whole moment too.

[WRB]

try contacting Lyons and O'Haver in San Diego, out bass are heavy body and your bass is a common shape.

Tom

[MO_TightLines]

1 hour ago, Bluebasser86 said:

You can get some really cool pictures  done of your fish. Have it blown up and framed in a nice frame. Replicas are neat, but a picture captures the whole moment too.

I do agree with this Bluebasser. 

 

52 minutes ago, WRB said:

try contacting Lyons and O'Haver in San Diego, out bass are heavy body and your bass is a common shape.

Tom

Thanks Tom, I plan on contacting them tomorrow and explain what I’m running into.

[Craigholland]

A good taxidermist can build extra w bondo I think. I like Joe fittante out of Wisconsin. I would be shocked if he couldnt do that. I think he's the best , but there are other good ones out there. Id shop around and get one to your specs. If it were me I wouldn't want it if it wasn't to spec.

[TnRiver46]

I'm personally not a fan of a replica. My opinion (which I'm not pushing on anyone, just stating), is that if you are going to hang the fish on the wall, then hang the doggone fish on the wall. If you are going to hang a recreation from a photo, why not just hang the photo. Thats just me, not saying its correct. Just a preference I have . As to your dilemma, I  would agree with earlier posts to shop around and see if anyone can make an exact mold

[MAN]

Pretty sure a good taxidermist can use a hardening putty to create the unique features of a persons particular fish.  

I am not a replica person myself. I want the fish I caught hanging on my wall skin and all. Otherwise I guess I could just grab a pre-painted fish that matches the weight of the one I caught and be in and out in 5 minutes with my mount. Just doesn't have the same feeling.  To each his own

[MO_TightLines]

23 hours ago, WRB said:

try contacting Lyons and O'Haver in San Diego, out bass are heavy body and your bass is a common shape.

Tom

Tom, I contacted them today and they are closing their business down. 

[WRB]

18 minutes ago, MO_TightLines said:

Tom, I contacted them today and they are closing their business down. 

That is too bad, we will no longer have a good local taxidermist in So Cal, it's difficult to run a profitable business in California. Roberts Trophy Fish Mounts was the best we had for fresh water bass mounts, Lyons was next best. Wonder what they will do with all the molds?

Tom

 

[MAN]

15 hours ago, WRB said:

 it's difficult to run a profitable business in California.

Tom

You mean as a taxidermist or a business in general?  

[WRB]

3 hours ago, MAN said:

You mean as a taxidermist or a business in general?  

In general, ask Gary Dobyns!

California has nearly ideal weather climate with a horrible business climate that punishes any business that manufactures products with high taxes, unreasonable regulations and litigation.

Tom

 

[Dwight Hottle]

If the replica doesn't match the dimensions of the fish you caught keep shopping until you find someone who can. You caught a greatly proportioned fish which deserves a mount that replicates your accomplishment. 

[jeffo21]

I caught my PB back in May and it measured 24 1/4 long and 18 1/4 girth and weighed 10.52 the guy that did mine had no problems with anything here is a pic what he made for me.

 

 

[MAN]

Thats awesome Jeff ...can post a picture of the actual fish? 

[jeffo21]

yes

 

 

[22RangerZ520R]

Give Dave Campbell a try... He did both of my PB's, a 12lb 8oz largemouth and a 6lb 4oz smallie.  I did hours of research online before I went with him.  He modified both of my mounts to better match my actual fish.  He paints each scale individually, not just the generic "air brush" paint job many of the other $500 replica companies do like Lake Fork Taxidermy, etc.  Let me know if you have any questions about Dave or my mounts.  Below are pics of my two PB's and their respective replica mounts.  Good luck in your search.  

 

www.davecampbellfish.com

 

12lb 8oz largemouth:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6lb 4oz smallie:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[MO_TightLines]

5 hours ago, 18RangerZ520L said:

Give Dave Campbell a try... He did both of my PB's, a 12lb 8oz largemouth and a 6lb 4oz smallie.  I did hours of research online before I went with him.  He modified both of my mounts to better match my actual fish.  He paints each scale individually, not just the generic "air brush" paint job many of the other $500 replica companies do like Lake Fork Taxidermy, etc.  Let me know if you have any questions about Dave or my mounts.  Below are pics of my two PB's and their respective replica mounts.  Good luck in your search.  

 

www.davecampbellfish.com

 

12lb 8oz largemouth:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6lb 4oz smallie:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OMG, those are unbelievable

[22RangerZ520R]

6 hours ago, MO_TightLines said:

OMG, those are unbelievable

Thanks 

[Craigholland]

Yeah that's a good paint job. Looks amazing. Nice job for sure.

[MO_TightLines]

So, Coast to Coast Fish Mount’s got in touch with me and they had almost the exact size. 22” Length x 17.2” Girth.

I’ve conversed with them for a couple days now & researched their process and believe they do reputable work and take pride in it. I placed my order and my mount should arrive in 8-10 weeks.

Now, with that being said I believe my next mount will most definitely come from Dave Campbell by way of recommendation from 18RangerZ520L. I visited his website and his attention to detail is unmatched to anyone else I’ve seen out there.

[22RangerZ520R]

18 hours ago, Craigholland said:

Yeah that's a good paint job. Looks amazing. Nice job for sure.

Appreciate it.  

11 hours ago, MO_TightLines said:

So, Coast to Coast Fish Mount’s got in touch with me and they had almost the exact size. 22” Length x 17.2” Girth.

I’ve conversed with them for a couple days now & researched their process and believe they do reputable work and take pride in it. I placed my order and my mount should arrive in 8-10 weeks.

Now, with that being said I believe my next mount will most definitely come from Dave Campbell by way of recommendation from 18RangerZ520L. I visited his website and his attention to detail is unmatched to anyone else I’ve seen out there.