fish on the wall

[jb_from_texas]

ok, this might be a stupid question but what the hell...

is it necc to keep your trophy bass in order for a taxidermist to create a wall mounted fish?

I mean, it's just a replica of your fish.  Wouldnt a few pictures do just as well?

i dont want to have a 10+lbs fish to die in the name of a wall mount.

if i ever catch a 10lbs'er (which is the only size or larger that I'll want mounted) i plan on mounting "it."

if killing it is necc i will probably just get some great pics and have a nice one framed, rather than killing the fish.

[KU_Bassmaster.]

You absolutely DO NOT need to keep your trophy. Just get a bunch of good pics and a good taxidermist should have no problems making you a replica. From what I understand, you have one of the best right there in TX. Lake Fork Taxidermy. I am planning on getting the one in my avatar done by them.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Why wouldn't you have a replica made?  I mean, of all the choices, killing a fish would be my last, especially a 10+ lbr.

Is it the money?  A goosd mount will cost just as much if not more than a replica and not look as nice (usually)

[roadwarrior]

For a price, today's replicas are PERFECT. Not only can you get the exact size of the bass you catch, it can be painted to look EXACTLY like the one you caught.

There is NO reason to kill a big fish unless it weighs 22 lbs. 5 oz. or more.

[jb_from_texas]

i dont plan on killing anything, even if it was a 22lber.

i figured pics would suffice and it's good to know they do.

now, if i could just hook up on a 10 i'll send you a few pics too!

my screen name is a bit misleading.  i'm from Texas (born and raised) but now live in central florida.

so i moved from one great fishing state to another.

jb

[BD]

For a price, today's replicas are PERFECT. Not only can you get the exact size of the bass you catch, it can be painted to look EXACTLY like the one you caught.

190% agreement

There is NO reason to kill a big fish unless it weighs 22 lbs. 5 oz. or more.

;D

[GobbleDog]

I don't keep fish. Ever.

But honestly, when I finally do land that double digit monster.... he's probably coming home with me. Especially if we're talking well over 10 lbs. A replica just ain't the same.

[fishinfool]

I'm going to go with GD on this one. A replica just isn't the same, its not the fish you caught. Anyone can have a replica made of a 20lb fish just by taking some pictures off of the internet and taking them to the taxidermist and having a replica of that fish made and put on THEIR wall. Maybe its just a pride thing but if I get a fish mounted(atleast 10#) it will be the real thing, I don't want to step on any toes here b/c its not really that big of an issue but I would probably be ashamed to have a replica of a fish on my wall as opposed to the real thing. I'm just stubborn like that, maybe i'll come around one day....Oh and I have a question, how much to taxidermist usually charge for their services? I've never had anything stuffed or mounted so I have no clue.

But to answer your question JB, no you don't need the actual fish...just take some good pics, the more the marrier..and get all the measurements you can and you'll be set. LOL

[janalon]

I have never stuffed a fish, digital photos suite me just fine

[GobbleDog]

Oh and I have a question, how much to taxidermist usually charge for their services? I've never had anything stuffed or mounted so I have no clue.

I have a 7 lber mounted. I actually didn't want to keep it, but it was badly gut hooked and after a half hour of unsuccesfully trying to revive it, I gave up and decided to mount it even though I've caught a few bass that were bigger... (8.5 lbers are my PB).

I don't remember exactly how much it was, but I think it was around $200. I remember they charged by the inch. Like $10 per inch, or something like that

[rocknfish9001]

I have a skin mount on my wall and am not ashamed of it. I caught that fish, and that is what makes it special. That is my fish that i worked for, and it is really the actual fish. I have no problem keeping fish to eat, or mount. Since when i get a mounting fish again, it wil be another speciese, and its only 1 fish that i have caught and kept that i wont eat in several years. I only killed 1 fish for a trophy purpose in 16 years. But i will probably get a replica next time because now i have the money for it with my new job. They are more expensive than skin mounts.

[Siebert Outdoors]

here is a horrible picture of a fiberglass reproduction on my wall.  It was alot more then a skin mount but she is still swimmin.

[Poor Richard]

I would think a big bass would run more like 400-500 bucks.  But I dunno; when I had one big enough, I let her go.  Just couldn't picture her on the wall.  What I do want is a great big pike with a bikini-clad Barbie Doll stuck in its mouth.  This would entertain all the children that come to visit our family cabin.

------------------------

Kiss 'em and let 'em go.  Eat bluegills.  

[rocknfish9001]

To get my 21 1/2" fish mounted, it cost me $150. Although it was a friend of ours. Most places are about $10 per inch on a skin mount, and $13 an in for a replica.

[basser89]

Check this link out. They do great work IMO!

http://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.CFPage?appID=39&option=2&template=taxid-pr.cfm#fish

[BillyBob]

Here's an example....same fish that I'm holding to the left, caught and released 4 years ago. Replica made at a cost of $10 per inch. She was 27.5 inches. Made for me by a company in Ft Lauderdale, Fla. Makes me happy that she's still havin babies and she's on my wall too!

[what]

i dont know, i kind of like the real thing because its there but the fake one looks like crap you just dont get the sclaes and fins like you would get in a real mount

[basser89]

i dont know, i kind of like the real thing because its there but the fake one looks like crap you just dont get the sclaes and fins like you would get in a real mount

Do some research before you invest you money in one. If it's a local, ask for references or pics of their work. The link I posted above even shows some close ups. I'd rather have that big girl swimming around able to produce and have a replica just a little off if any! Just my $.02

[5bass]

For a price, today's replicas are PERFECT. Not only can you get the exact size of the bass you catch, it can be painted to look EXACTLY like the one you caught.

RW, I have gotten 3 replicas done and none of the 3 were painted like my many pictures sent to them.More and more I keep hearing that the paint jobs on the replicas are getting to be all the same,which I believe.The replica guys think all bass look the same apparently.Well,they dont.It seems they all have one generic paint job to cover every fish they do.All of the replicas I've had done look good,but they look nothing like the fish that I caught.

And on my last smallmouth that I fiberglassed,the dude didnt even put the little white spot on the "ear"(edge of the gill plate).Every smallmouth I've ever seen,no matter how big or small,has the little white spot right there.You probably know what I'm talking about.Sure,thats a minor detail but for the price of the replicas,it should look how you want it to and have all the distinct markings.

[Rattletrap]

Kill a 22lb 5oz and you will not get the record. A record has to be broke by 2 oz.  22lb 6oz is the goal.

[roadwarrior]

rattletrap,

You are technically correct, but I think they make an exception on this one!

Either way, I'm keeping her.

[Rattletrap]

RW. I agree. It would be hard releasing a 22lb plus fish. They are about ready to die of old age when they get that big anyway. I have heard that most of the 20lb plus bass die after being released. It's a stress thang!!!

[RoLo]

RW, I have gotten 3 replicas done and none of the 3 were painted like my many pictures sent to them.More and more I keep hearing that the paint jobs on the replicas are getting to be all the same,which I believe.

FiveBassLimit, you're right about the decline in good custom paint jobs.

When I lived in Sayreville, NJ, I used to mount fish heads as a sideline hobby (saltwater species).

I quickly found that the paint job is where all the work and creativity lies. In all fairness though,

whether you elect to go with a fiberglass replica or a skin mount, you still have to paint back the colors.

Paint jobs aside, in my opinion, nothing can take the place of a well done skin mount.

When you look at a fiberglass repro, no matter how talented the artist, the lack of separation

between the scales shouts "replica".  If I'm not going to get a skin mount, I think I'd be happier

with a few high-quality photographs than with a replica. After all, I can go out tomorrow

and order a replica of my 15-lb dream-bass, so the significance just isn't there.

Just my $0.02.

Roger

[Rattletrap]

I remember in the mid 80's when skin mounts were $6.50 an inch.

[5bass]

RW, I have gotten 3 replicas done and none of the 3 were painted like my many pictures sent to them.More and more I keep hearing that the paint jobs on the replicas are getting to be all the same,which I believe.

FiveBassLimit, you're right about the decline in good custom paint jobs.

When I lived in Sayreville, NJ, I used to mount fish heads as a sideline hobby (saltwater species).

I quickly found that the paint job is where all the work and creativity lies. In all fairness though,

whether you elect to go with a fiberglass replica or a skin mount, you still have to paint back the colors.

Paint jobs aside, in my opinion, nothing can take the place of a well done skin mount.

When you look at a fiberglass repro, no matter how talented the artist, the lack of separation

between the scales shouts "replica". If I'm not going to get a skin mount, I think I'd be happier

with a few high-quality photographs than with a replica. After all, I can go out tomorrow

and order a replica of my 15-lb dream-bass, so the significance just isn't there.

Just my $0.02.

Roger

Exactly. A replica is "the right thing" to do but its just NOT the same......and the fact that on the replicas that I've had done,I have sent many pictures with each one and none of the 3 are even close to my pics.Why even take pics if the people cant match the colors?