Bass-Mounting?

[5bass]

The early reproductions lacked scale-definition and were very easy to identify as hoaxes, but today's repros are superb imposters.

I've seen fiberglass replicas that were virtually indistinguishable from the real thing.

After all is said and done, a replica could never substitute for the real McCoy, and here are two reasons why:

1. A replica is NOT you're fish, but a prototype reproduction of someone else's fish (a cast made from an actual fish).

It will not be the identical Length, Girth and Shape of your fish, but identical to the fish prototype you choose.

In other words, "your" fish will be identical to hundreds of others hanging on other walls across America,

maybe your neighbor's wall, across the street.

2. This one disturbs me most of all. You will not be able to dictate the position and posture of your fish.

With a skin mount, you supply the taxidermist with several hand sketches and photos of exactly how you want the fish to look.

With a repro you're forced to settle for someone else's pose. After looking at practically every pike pose available in the US,

I've yet to see a pose that doesn't make the pike look like a "fish-out-of-water", usually with some unnatural banana-bend.

At least with a replica you'll never be alone, and might see that same silly pose on your neighbor's mount, across the street

Roger

Exactly what I said earlier in this thread......you get a generic form (pose) and most likely a generic paint job.A taxidermists work (skin mount) is original and you have more options.Thanks for expanding Rolo!

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

The only way I'll keep a fish is if it's a record.

Releasing a 15 pounder would be the highlight of catching it for me.

How sweet does THIS look?

[Turtle.]

That looks awsome LBH,now someone else has a chance at something awsome.And I dont belive for a minute that,that  fish will be dead in less than a year

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

No way,...that's lake Fork, she's just a baby,lol

[Mattlures]

WOW I CANT BELEIVE HOW WRONG SOME OF YOU GUYS ARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

First off replicas are fiberglass not graphite.

2nd you get a generic paint job because you went the cheap route(Bass Pro) who does thousands of mounts and does not care about matching you fish.

If you go to a good taxidermist (which most are not good) they can match your fish. Colors, body markings, fins and any other thing that makes your fish unique.

3RD A REPLICA IS A MUCH MORE ACCURATE REPRESENTATION OF YOUR ACTUAL FISH !!!!!!!!!!!!

Now of course your thinking that I am wrong becuase a skin mount is a real fish and is much more accurate than a molded replica, especialy since it is your fish, Well your wrong. Let me explain.

A skin mount is just that. Its only the skin. its preserved and wrapped around a foam manikin. all areas that have had tissue and muscle and bone removed now need to be built up with clay or other material. Over time the skin warps and shrinks and rots and cracks and yellows and distorts. after all it is an actual piece of skin wich is slowly rotting away. The position of the mount is up to the taxidermist. Verry rarly are skin mounts mounted in natural positions. The mouths are usualy over extended, the throuts are usualy pushed in instead of flairing out. The fins are usualy over streatched and the eyes are usualy set incorectly. Also if you think skin mounts look beter because they arent painted well thats wrong to. Replicas and skin mounts are both painted. The quality of the paint job depends on the taxidermist. I will admit for a les skilled taxidermist a skin mount is easyer to paint, that would explain why some people think they look beter.  but like I said earlyer most taxidermist are not very good.  

So to sum up a skin mount, usualy it is possed in an unnatural pose. It will yellow, it will warp and if you take measurements of your mounted fish and compare them to the actualy measurements of when you caught it you will most likely be suprised.

A Replica is superior in every way.  They are more natural. They are more anatomicaly correct. they also eliminate most of the errors that taxidermist make. The are molded from actual whole fish in a natural postion. They are not shrunken in around the head. They dont have incorectly positioned throats and over extended mouths. there fins are not over streached. Replicas are also much more durable and they are easyer to clean. They can also match your fish's measurements better than the streched skin.

Here is a morbid way of comparing the two. Think of a wax replica of a person. If done right it looks just like a real person. now think of a mumified persons skin wrapped around a manikin. Which is going to look more like the real person? The wax replica of course.

Another thing to consider is this, most world class taxidermist will not do a skin mount. They only do replicas.  I have done many fish mounts in my time and many other big game mounts. I am good enough to recognize great taxidermy when I see it. I can aslo spot poor taxidermy easily. I know what I am talking about. I no longer do taxidermy because its too time consuming I am already too busy as it is but I can definatly recomend some great taxidermist. One thing you have to consider. If your getting a fish mounted it is most likely a very special fish to you. DO NOT TRY AND GO CHEAP!!!!!!. in Taxidermy you absoluty get what you pay for. dont expect beautiful customized mountes from Bass pro. it aint gonna happen. spend the extra $100 and get a mount that you will love fore ever. GET A REPLICA. Oh yeah, you also get to release the fish!

I apologize if I have made anybody mad for saying they are wrong. My intention is to educate not chastize. I just cant help but get fired up about this subject.

[5bass]

I apologize if I have made anybody mad for saying they are wrong. My intention is to educate not chastize. I just cant help but get fired up about this subject.

I get fired up too because nobody is wrong.Everyone has his/her own opinion.My intention in this thread was to voice my opinion on things that I have seen up close,in person.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

All I know is that even if I got a record up here in RI, I want Lake Fork Taxidermy to do the replica.  Their work is in every restauraunt/diner in town and they are BEAUTIFUL!!!

Not cheap but again, especially with taxidermy, you get what you pay for.

[fishbear]

I'm wondering how you guys feel about mounting a Bass?

I would suggest working the clubs first.  If meeting women is tough in high expectation places like the clubs, try the super market.  I've found a couple keepers in the frozen foods aisle.  

No Bass should ever have to go through that.

Man, LBH you took the words right out of my mouth....  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

my only oother question is ummmmmmmmm,,,, wellllllllllllllllllllllllll shoot, never mind, this is a family forum..... : : :-[ :-[ :-[ :-/ :-/

[Mattlures]

fivebasslimit, a lot of the statements were in fact wrong. Opinions are neither wronr or right. Your post actualy backs up one of my ponits. If you try and go the cheap route you will get inferior quality.

Low buget, I am familiar with Lake Fork taxidermy and I recomend them. They do outstanding work. lyons and Ohaver and Roberts fish mounts do world class mounts and Lake fork taxidermy isclose behind

[fourbizz]

Look at Fish's reproductions then look at the skin mounted tens that we have seen in the last couple months. No comparison. Dead in a year or not, someone might get to catch her in 11 months.

[Keithscatch]

I had Lake Fork Taxidermy do my 9.5lber and she looks excellent. Whether or not it is the exact same size, width, length is irrelevant to me. Why do I need the exact fish skin anyway? My memory serves me well and I will never forget that fish. She went back in the lake and lived another day. That plus the catch makes it so much nicer.

I am not a hunter so killing a trophy is out of the question. I just don't see doing it. As much respect as I or we have for these fish it is then hard for me to understand why someone would kill this fish of their dreams.

I don't even know what they cost anymore but when Lake Fork Taxidermy did mine they charged me $10 per inch. It is almost 10 years old now. I have moved so many times that I have broken a few pieces off of the fins in my moves but other then that it looks good.

Go with a replica and you will feel better about yourself.

[senko_77]

Matt and Keith made some great points.  Although I will admit when I caught my 14lber thoughts of mounting that fish did cross my mind but I couldn't kill it.  I do everything in my power to save gut hooked fish, so why kill the big one and do just the opposite.  IMO there is just no reason to kill the fish.  First it suffocates and dies, and after that it can't feel anything else, but you just nail it to a wall.  Completely unnecesary when you could have released the fish, let it die of natural causes, and go get your lazy butt out there and take the extra time to make a fine replica.

[Bassackward]

I just got my pb mounted a couple months ago.  The only bad thing about it is that I cant stop looking at it!

[Guest avid]

I tried mounting a bass once.

Turned out to be a musky

Girls still call me "shorty"

[Guest the_muddy_man]

I tried mounting a bass once.

Turned out to be a musky

Girls still call me "shorty"

Thats funny!!!!!!!!!!

[RoLo]

I tried mounting a bass once.

Turned out to be a musky

Girls still call me "shorty"

[senile1]

I appreciate everyone's comments in this thread.  I've always released my fish and I've never had a replica or a skin mount.  As Rolo stated, early reproductions were easily identified as hoaxes which is why I've never had one.  Over the years, I haven't really kept up with the status of creating replicas but it sounds like it might be worth getting one from a reputable taxidermist.  

[Guest avid]

Just an FYI.

MY pb in 7lb 8oz LMB caught back in 1980 on Long Island.

I had it skin mounted which was common practice back then with trophies.

The mount that I got back was a bass to be sure, but that's where the resemblance to "my" bass ended.

It was pretty and hung on my den wall for years untill my son knocked it off while having a pillow fight with a friend.  

If I were to have a mount done today.  There is no question in my mind that it would be a replica.  Not only because it's good C&R practice, but also because the replica mounts are in fact, superior to skin mounts.

[MALTESE FALCON]

RUSS, YOU'RE INSANE

                                 

BUT VERY FUNNY.

RICK

[Valascus]

I would go with a replica. I think the technology and skills available to good taxidermists has come a long way and it is possible to make a replica that looks identical to your fish. The key is finding a reputable taxidermist, taking as many pics in as much detail of the fish as possible along with proper length and a few girth measurements, and finally, paying top dollar to have it done. Now, for me, paying top dollar for a replica is a tough blow to the ol' pocket book to take, but if I ever catch a DD fish, you can bet I will document every inch of that fish to the best of my ability and as long as the fishes safety will allow for as nice a replica I could get.