Bass Replica Mount measurements

[Basser2021]

Hey guys I caught a really nice bass the other day out of a farm pond. I wanted to mount it, but didn't want to take the fish's life to do so and I decided to get a replica mount. I measured the length and the girth at the widest spot. Is there any other measurements I should've taken? I don't have any experience with taxidermy and I wanted to see if any of you guys had knowledge on this topic. Thanks guys!

[J Francho]

I'd say that and a picture of the fish would be plenty.

[gim]

I did this with a tiger muskie last year.  I was unwilling to kill the fish and opted to do a graphite replica instead.  The taxidermist said he needed the best photos that I had.  Luckily I had about 4 or 5 of them which was adequate.  Graphite replicas cost more than a skin mount but quite honestly I think they look better and they will also last longer too.  Plus I know that the fish was released fully alive to live another day too.

[WRB]

If you want the mount to look like your bass a good color photo along with length and girth measurements is a good idea.

Tom

[PressuredFishing]

14 hours ago, gimruis said:

I did this with a tiger muskie last year.  I was unwilling to kill the fish and opted to do a graphite replica instead.  The taxidermist said he needed the best photos that I had.  Luckily I had about 4 or 5 of them which was adequate.  Graphite replicas cost more than a skin mount but quite honestly I think they look better and they will also last longer too.  Plus I know that the fish was released fully alive to live another day too.

Looks beautiful, they got some real art skills

[jbsoonerfan]

I have a replica. Here is what I can tell you. I only weighed the fish, did not get a length and girth. That being said. It will be real hard to find a form that is your "exact" measurements. My fish was 8-2 and I'm guessing 23" and FAT. There was no replica available that was under 24" for an 8lber. I ended up getting the shortest/fattest 8lber I could get. The guy that did it was a terrible artist and it looks nothing like the fish I caught. I am going to have it re-painted as soon as I can. 

[schplurg]

I figure if I get a fish mounted that with my luck I'd catch a bigger and better one as soon as I paid for it. Hmm maybe it would be worth that?

[gim]

6 hours ago, schplurg said:

I figure if I get a fish mounted that with my luck I'd catch a bigger and better one as soon as I payed for it. Hmm maybe it would be worth that?

This has definitely crossed my mind more than once too. I had a specific size set in my mind ahead of time for each specific species I target and if I caught one that big, I always said I’d get a replica made.

 

My new minimum for a tiger muskie replica is now 45 inches. Considering it took me 15 years to catch a 40+ incher, it may be a while before I can add a second.

9 hours ago, PressuredFishing said:

Looks beautiful, they got some real art skills

It’s done by LAX Reproductions out of Conover, WI. He specializes in graphite replicas of muskies.

 

I should mention that I have a skin mount of a largemouth bass too. It died after I caught it when it was real warm in August 2006.  I tried to revive it for 20 minutes unsuccessfully.

[slonezp]

On 12/17/2021 at 8:46 AM, gimruis said:

I did this with a tiger muskie last year.  I was unwilling to kill the fish and opted to do a graphite replica instead.  The taxidermist said he needed the best photos that I had.  Luckily I had about 4 or 5 of them which was adequate.  Graphite replicas cost more than a skin mount but quite honestly I think they look better and they will also last longer too.  Plus I know that the fish was released fully alive to live another day too.

She's lonely hanging up there all by herself. You'd better catch her some friends to play with.

[Basser2021]

Thanks for all the comments! I was worried I didn't get enough measurements or photos for it but these posts reassures that I did the right thing.

[slonezp]

1 hour ago, Basser2021 said:

Thanks for all the comments! I was worried I didn't get enough measurements or photos for it but these posts reassures that I did the right thing.

Research the artist. All the pics and measurements in the world can't make up for an only moderately talented taxidermist.

[Basser2021]

12 minutes ago, slonezp said:

Research the artist. All the pics and measurements in the world can't make up for an only moderately talented taxidermist.

I'll be sure to do that! I have a pretty well-known taxidermist in my area who has done taxidermy for country music stars and such.

[WRB]

The mount is only as good as the artist painting it. 

Choose carefully!

Tom

[BrianMDTX]

On 12/18/2021 at 2:34 AM, schplurg said:

I figure if I get a fish mounted that with my luck I'd catch a bigger and better one as soon as I payed for it. Hmm maybe it would be worth that?

I waited a lo-o-o-ng time to get a good shot on a nice buck with my bow for a shoulder mount. One year I arrowed a real pretty four pointer and got it mounted. Turned out great. The next year I arrowed a nice 8. So you may have something there!