mounting fish

[the ohh face]

I have caught more than a few fish in the 6-8 pound range and one 9+ but have always said I would mount my first largemouth over ten pounds. I now know that replicas from pictures and measurements often look more lifelike. I plan on purchasing one when I finally do catch that fish. Having this discussion with a fishing partner he said he would still want to keep the fish to be mounted, just so he could say, that this is the fish i caught and not some replica. I suggested that each year this fish spawns the greater chance of catching its lunker offspring in the future. He responded that in new england a fish 10 lbs and up is near the end of its lifecycle anyways and has already spread its seed. While im not too sure thats accurate he remained adamant on that point. I wouldnt go so far as to say its irresponsible as long as you caught it legally but I am still against mounting if you could release the fish to be caught again.

             What are your opinions on mounting bass?

[CJ]

If I caught a 10+,I would get a replica made.If I kept it I would have a feeling of guilt.The beauty of a replica is that one fish may mounted multiple times.Giving us more happy anglers.

[fourbizz]

People can argue the end of life cycle, you might as well keep em point all they want. For me it boils down to this: I could not kill a big fish. Even if I knew she would die in a month, I would still let her go to finish her life naturally. Replicas look better anyway. Check out these companies and tell me that they aren't beautiful replicas.

http://www.advancedtaxidermy.com/ my absolute favorite, i have seen these in person and they are by far the most amazing work i have seen.

http://www.lakeforktaxidermy.com/ also great work

[Bud]

  I would agree with Fourbizzle.  I would have a replica made.   Also the replica will last longer and look better longer than a real mount.

[the ohh face]

yeah those are some nice work

[TXBasshunter]

Just found this site and WOW I love it already!

As a former taxidermist of 10 yrs, yes get a replica and let that fish live to produce lots more future lunkers.  A lot get killed before they reach that size.  They are the minority.  Replicas will last beyond your lifespan, so something to pass on.  Skin mounts will go down hill eventually.

Lake Fork Taxidermy is a great place to get a replica and have the reputation and business.  Only go to a shop that does.  Ask questions and make sure to examine their work.  Don't go by price alone.

[BassChaser57]

I took photos and measurements of my big girl, kissed her and set her free to enjoy life and make more bass babies. I have a replica made of her with the colors and size correct. These last forever and the skin mounts need redone every few years. It is replicas for me in the future. This is a decision each one will have to make for themselves as it is legal so don't get too excited about it either way.

[BassBeat101]

Yeah, I'll never kill a bass intentionally - it's too rare for them to get to that size anyways - even if they're only 7 pounds or so - and in this case,  maybe it's a younger 10# bass that has a spawn or two left?  Replicas are a good idea, at least give the bass a chance.

Daryl

[Fish Chris]

Mounting fish, you asked ? I thought about it a few times, but I didn't want to get scales on my #$@# ! Doh ! :-) LOL

Okay, now seriously, no matter what anyone might tell you, the final decision is your own. Seeing as a large part of my life has / does revolve around trophy bass, and the bigger, the better, of course I think releasing a big bass is always a great idea.....

However, with that said, I'm the first to admit, when I C/R a big bass, I'm doing it first, and foremost "FOR ME" ! Hey, if you happen to go out and C/R a big bass that I had previously C/R'd, that's great. Hats off to ya' ! But I wasn't thinking about you, when I released that fish.... I was thinking about me ! Call me selfish, but I love to stick big bass !

......and BTW, I have re-caught and released several big bass in the past, and every time it happens, it reminds me why C/R, most especially of the big ones, is ALWAYS a great thing.

Peace,

Fish

PS, Here's one I C/R'd in 2005:

....and again in 2006

For me to kill a big bass, would be like punching myself in the nose.

[bassboy1]

I have a mounted bass that my grandad mounted 30 or 40 some odd years ago.  Recently, it has gone on a death run.  Pieces of fin are peeling off.  The eyes are falling out, and it is really losing its color.  I would really recommend getting a replica, so that maybe your grandkids can inherit something that doesn't spit fins and eyes.

[rocknfish9001]

Well in my opinion, a good skin mount looks much more realistic, no questions. It doesnt seem as glossy, which looks kind of fake, the head/fins are also much more life like. I have a skin mount and am not ashamed one bit. Now i am talking in a general matter. My skin mount was done by somebody who has been doing this for 20+ years, and is the flat out best i know. Most replicas i see are the ones that are done in mass amounts. The same measurements, pose, and colors. Not unique at all. Make sure if you get a replica, to not cheap out and be sure you are getting completley original work. I have caught a fish bigger than the one on my wall, and quickly released it.

[clipper]

I have a mounted bass that my grandad mounted 30 or 40 some odd years ago. Recently, it has gone on a death run. Pieces of fin are peeling off. The eyes are falling out, and it is really losing its color. I would really recommend getting a replica, so that maybe your grandkids can inherit something that doesn't spit fins and eyes.

I had a bass I caught in the 1950's and one my dad caught about that time.  I treasured them both because my dad has passed on and I was with him when I caught mine.  Both weighed about 8 lbs.  They began to fade out, get cracks, and the fins were breaking.  I was sad to see them deteriorate.  I took them to a taxidermist in Cartersville to ask if he could do anything with them.  For a very reasonable price he restored both to look better than they originally did.  I was overjoyed.  They now hang on the wall of my office and everyone who comes in remarks how good they look.  

I would go for a replica now, I think the replicas will last longer.   Bassboy1, I will pm you the name of the taxidermist in Cartersville.  Have your fish restored to remember your granddad by.

[KYbass1276]

Unless it's a WR which isn't going to happen here in Ky, any fish I catch of size is going to have a Kodak moment and then back to the water it goes.  I personally like just taking a picture and showing it and when I catch one bigger it will replace the picture before it.  

[bass109]

Fish Chris, monster bass 8-)

[roadwarrior]

BigBassRFun,

Welcome aboard!

I wouldn't even consider intentionally killing a big bass unless it is something of a record. I don't however have any problem with someone else mounting their PB. A replica would be better, but harvesting ONE big fish is okay by me as long as it's not one of MY pet smallmouth!

[Tom Bass]

The biggest bass that I have caught so for in life was 7.5-8 pounds. That is a guess. I didn't have a scale. I released it...well, it actually released itself. It struggled right out of my hands and over the edge of the boat dock into the water as I was bending down to turn it loose.

I think the final decision is up to the person that catches the fish. I would get a replica made and turn the fish loose.

I honestly think that I would even turn a world record fish loose after the measurements and photos. Yeah, like that's gonna happen! ;D

How much do these replicas cost?

Tom

[the ohh face]

Great responses.  I didnt even think about a record.  Probably cause my chances of even getting my state record are pretty slim.  I could see keeping a state record to get mounted though.  You can be pretty sure the fish is at the end of its life if you manage a state record.  Would that situation make any of you change your mind from a replica to skin mount?

[TXBasshunter]

How much do these replicas cost?

Tom

Tom,

I charged $15/inch.  Some charge more, some less.

Thomas

[Guest the_muddy_man]

You should at least take it out to dinner first

[dodgeguy]

I have caught more than a few fish in the 6-8 pound range and one 9+ but have always said I would mount my first largemouth over ten pounds. I now know that replicas from pictures and measurements often look more lifelike. I plan on purchasing one when I finally do catch that fish. Having this discussion with a fishing partner he said he would still want to keep the fish to be mounted, just so he could say, that this is the fish i caught and not some replica. I suggested that each year this fish spawns the greater chance of catching its lunker offspring in the future. He responded that in new england a fish 10 lbs and up is near the end of its lifecycle anyways and has already spread its seed. While im not too sure thats accurate he remained adamant on that point. I wouldnt go so far as to say its irresponsible as long as you caught it legally but I am still against mounting if you could release the fish to be caught again.

            What are your opinions on mounting bass?

your friend is %100 correct.

[Fish Chris]

No disrespect, but IMPO, his friend is 100% mistaken.

It seems that no matter how much I show people the undisputable evidence of C/R's, followed by re-C/R's of the very same fish, there are still some people that think it's okay to kill a big fish.

I want you to understand that I'm not getting all bent out of shape over here as I type this.... Look, I'm smilling :-) I just want every angler to "fully understand" that by killing even 1 big bass, they will have single-handedly reduced their own chances of catching an even bigger bass in the future. Yea', theirs the whole thing about that fishes genes, and yada, yada. But it's not near so much that, as it is the VERY REAL possibility of an angler re-catching that exact C/R'd fish, maybe when it has grown even larger ! Heck, my buddies and I have done it numerous times ! So would you say that's just because we are just the most awesome anglers on the planet ? ;-) LOL I think not. It can happen for anybody.

So anyway, the other fact of the matter is, if 98% of the anglers on this forum were to catch and kill every big bass they ever caught, it would have "zero" effect on me personally, as most people here don't even fish the same waters I do. {thankfully, one of the only ones who does, Supermatt, feels as strongly about C/R of giant bass as I do. Thank you Matt}

If a guy loves to catch big bass, then to kill even one of them on purpose, is like punching himself in the nose. Go for it ! I won't feel a thing :-)

Peace,

Fish

[Guest the_muddy_man]

I catch and release from the smallest dink to my PB however I the purpose of me fishing is not to assure anyone anything. If I catch a 10 lbr and its a leagal fish and I want to eat it for breakfast and I paid for my licence it is my business. I am not chasing a world record but I dont have it in me to kill fish so I do not. But if i wanted to I aint punchin myself or anyone else in the nose . Fishin is fishin in all its legal forms and so on I certainly am not going to worry if I am helping out the Hawg Hunters if I decide to keep a leagal fish.

I have nothing against Hawg Huntin, it seems like a fun thing to do. Last I looked t I fish in America I fish to feel a little freedom in the out doors and If I choose not to share a lunker IT DOES NOT MAKE ME SELFISH I paid for the licience, I took the time to catch it and the book says its legal so I dont feel an iota of guilt or remorse if EXCUSE ME I OPT to KEEP A LEGAL FISH and not help somone beat the Lake PB by a few ounces THats really not why I m fishing. So if I come to your house and I see a new lunker on your wall I ll shake your hand, listen to the fun you had and thats the end of it JEEZZZ

[Fish Chris]

we can go round and round on this, but yes, if a guy likes to catch big fish, then he turns around and kills a big fish, he has hurt his own odds in the future. It's as simple as that. Of course that is his choice. I just feel that he should be fully aware of the concequences of his own actions. Lest you wonder why I should feel the need to go on and on about this, it's simply because so few people seem to understand how direct, and immediate the consequences of their actions can be, concerning the C/R of big fish.

........And believe me, I've been there too ! Nine years ago when my buddy C/R'd his new PB of 13.2 lbs, then I C/R'd the very same fish a week later, to become my new PB as well, we thought that was just the most incredibly amazing coincidence on the planet ! Nine years later, we routinely re-catch big bass, and hardly bat an eye.

Peace,

Fish

PS, You seem to be taking this somewhat personally Muddy Man. Please don't. I'm simply saying that if you have 10 big bass in a pond, and you remove one, you have reduced your odds by 10%. Their doesn't need to be any emotions involved here. These are just the facts of the matter.

[Guest the_muddy_man]

Hey Fish Chris I am not taking this personally, just feel strongly on the subject of a lot of people in America seeem to be telling other people in America: where to smoke or not to smoke; all humor must be policically correct; we must obey the president blindly; if you grab a gun and hunt your own meat that makes you akin to some type of mass murderer now fishing is an issue

 Mr Chris you are one of the more righteous people on htis forum and you debate with respect twoards others if I came across like I was personally bothered by you  I APOLOGIZE I do however feel strongly that If a guy buys a fising licience and fishes in a leagal fashion it is not mine or anybody eleses business what that guy does. If it hurts consevation and is illegal IT IS EVERY BODYS BUISNESS  But producing big bass is GODS BUSINESS im my view

[Fish Chris]

It bothers me too, to hear people trying to tell the next guy what he should or should not do.... or should I say, "to make his decisions for him".... or how about, "to take away his rights".

All I attempt to do is to "fully inform" anglers of the results of their decisions. Given the proper information, I believe most people will make the right decision. A few will not, but we can't do anything about those few.

Peace,

Fish