Mounting Fish Criteria

[Lucky Craft Man]

Let me first start by saying that when I say "Mounting Fish," I do mean getting a replica made.  I would never kill a trophy fish (or any fish for that matter).

I was wondering if you guys have any criteria, such as size of fish, you would consider mounting or getting a replica of?  

For me, my criteria for a Largemouth Bass is over 8 lbs. (which I'm sure for you Cailfornia guys and Southern guys your criteria might be 15 lbs., but for the Northeast, I think 8 lbs. is pretty rare).  My Smallmouth Bass criteria is over 7 lbs. and for Musky is over 50 inches.  Though, recently I caught and released a 21 inch, 4.5 lb. Smallmouth, which is not my PB, but the colors on this fish are just amazing to me.  I was thinking about getting a repilca made of it, but I don't think a sub - 7 lb. Smallmouth is "replica worthy."  Therefore, would you conside size alone or are there other factors that you would think about when considering getting a mount or replica made?  I was just wondering what you guys would consider "mount worthy" or better yet "replica worthy."  

[cpvenom]

For me I would probably go with a 10+ LM. No smallies here in GA so I'll just stick with that.

[Taliesin]

I'm a cheapskate and think that pictures are good enough.

Having said that...

If I ever manage to hang into a 10+ LMB, a 7+ SMB, a 2+ bluegill (or hybrid), a 20+ striper hybrid, a 30+ channel cat or a 65+ flathead or blue catfish there will be a replica made.

Now if a bass is a couple of pounds shy of that, but is just perttier than all get out... I might fudge it.

[RoLo]

In my view at least, your 4.5 lb smallmouth is a "trophy-class" fish.

I believe that your 7-lb target is unrealistically high, UNLESS you live near the Tennessee River

or Dale Hollow Reservoir. Even at that, a 7-lb smallmouth bass is a real pig

I'll give you an idea why I say that, below are five state records:

Indiana: 7-lb 4oz            

Georgia: 7-lb 2oz            

Missouri: 7-lb 2oz            

New Jersey: 7-lb 2oz            

Arizona: 7-lb 1oz      

I did this study several years ago, so one or more of those state records may have since been broken,

but the weight-ceilings are nonetheless revealed. The odds of boating a state record are phenomenally low.

The smallmouth bass listed below are not trophies, they are "state records", again they may be outdated but still speak volumes:

6:14      NM      

6:12      VT      

6:7      IL      

6:6      KS      

6:6      MT      

6:6      MT      

6:2      SD      

6:1      NB      

5:12      CO      

5:9      ND      

5:1      NV      

5:1      WY      

4:15      DE      

4:2      HA      

Adult-Class: 2 lb       15      

Trophy-Class: 4-3/4 lb 20            

Record-Class: 7¼ lb       22.5

World-Class: 10 lb      

Roger

[George Welcome]

Don't let anyone kid you: a fish that is over 7 pounds is a huge fish. Very few in this world of fishing will truly catch one bigger. I see from 500 - 750 people each and every year and I can ensure you that the majority have not even seen one as big as 7 pounds.

Mount the fish that makes you happy - not someone else's idea of a trophy.

[Lucky Craft Man]

I would normally say a 7 lb. Smallmouth is unrealistic, but I fish Lake Erie often and have caught several 6+ lb. fish.  Therefore, I feel a 7 lb. Smallmouth is achievable for me (though maybe not). I think a trophy criterion is based upon where you live and fish and the potential of the lake you have nearby. If I lived in Florida or California, I don't think an 8 lb. Largemouth would not be replica worthy, but in Southwestern PA, it would be. This is part of the reason I asked the question. I like to see what all the guys out there consider "replica worthy."

[RoLo]

At this point, I'm really not sure if you're asking us or telling us.

If you're going for the "Moon Shot", then you'll have to raise the ante.

In 1993, Randy Van Dam took a 9lb 5oz smallmouth from Lake Erie

Roger

[Lucky Craft Man]

At this point, I'm really not sure if you're asking us or telling us.

If you're going for the "Moon Shot", then you'll have to raise the ante.

In 1993, Randy Van Dam took a 9lb 5oz smallmouth from Lake Erie

Roger

I apologize for mixing questions with my opinion (hence, appearing that I am telling, which was not my intention).  

My intended question was what criteria would you use in considering getting a replica of a fish made.  If it is size, then what size have you or would you look to catch in order to consider it for a replica.  Maybe the criteria is for just memories, independent of size.  That what I was wondering.  

How about you Rolo?  What would you use as a criteria in getting a replica made or if you already had a fish mounted, why did you choose to get that particular fish mounted?

PS  I would pass out if I brought a 9 lb 5 oz. Smallmouth to the boat.

[Gorgebassman]

I dont really have a guideline for having a mount made I think its all in what a person thinks is a trophy to them. If it looks like something beautiful you would want on your wall I say have it done.

[David P]

Don't let anyone kid you: a fish that is over 7 pounds is a huge fish. Very few in this world of fishing will truly catch one bigger. I see from 500 - 750 people each and every year and I can ensure you that the majority have not even seen one as big as 7 pounds.

Mount the fish that makes you happy - not someone else's idea of a trophy.

Well said, a 7 or 8 lb bass is something d**n well to be happy and proud about. If you have the money, and don't mind spending it, who's to say it's not worthy of having a replica made.

I remember catching my first 5lb bass, I skipped the 3 and 4lbers and hooked a 5. Made me extremely happy and excited, not to mention a memorable moment.

Living in California, I'll probably wait till I hook a double digit bass. There's no shame in having  a 7 lb bass replica made though.

[Alpster]

Don't let anyone kid you: a fish that is over 7 pounds is a huge fish. Very few in this world of fishing will truly catch one bigger. I see from 500 - 750 people each and every year and I can ensure you that the majority have not even seen one as big as 7 pounds.

Mount the fish that makes you happy - not someone else's idea of a trophy.

You said it GW! I have fished for more than 30 years in a dozen states and caught many 100s of bass and my PB is still just a hair over 6lbs. I have 2 LM mounts on my wall and both are around 6lbs and over 20 years old. LOL I have a 9lb Hybrid Striper coming from the taxidermist soon.

Ronnie

[RoLo]

How about you Rolo? What would you use as a criteria in getting a replica made or if you already had a fish mounted, why did you choose to get that particular fish mounted?

Actually that's a good question.

Many believe that length is a useless gage of weight, but if the fish isn't noticeably fat or noticeably skinny,

length is an excellent gage of weight. This has been my usual routine for many years (all species, not just bass):

1. Measure the Length of the fish

2. Estimate the Weight based on the Length

3. Weigh the fish

More often than not, my estimate will usually be within a matter of ounces, but without the length I'll be about 2 pounds heavy (jk)

Length is a more accurate gage of AGE, while body weight is heavily skewed by the forage base.

For example, the bass in California are Florida-strain bass, yet Florida-strain bass don't reach those "weights" in Florida.

To answer your question, if I were looking for a second replica of a preexisting mount it would have to be a "longer" specimen.

Whatever you elect to do, I wish you the best of luck.

Roger

[Cephkiller]

Indiana boy here.  When I was younger, I always said I would mount a 5 lber.  After I caught that, I decided 6 lbs would be more worthy.  Then after I caught that I said 7 lbs.  My pb is currently 7 lb 11 oz (the fish in my avatar) and now I'm shooting for 8 lbs.  I still have zero fish mounts.  I don't know exactly when a fish will be worthy of a replica for me, but I hope I know it when I catch it.

[deadeye32.]

Another Indiana boy here to and I mounted my first fish over 8lbs (wish now I would have done a replica) :'( , and I am getting one done that went 11+ from when I went to Florida.  So I will continue to get replicas made whenever I break my PB.  So when I catch that 12lb'er, that replica will be made.  

[Guest avid]

Criteria for Mounting Fish

They must be a consenting adult.  8-)

[Guest the_muddy_man]

Criteria for Mounting Fish

They must be a consenting adult. 8-)

HA HA HA HA HA I knew you would HOP ON THIS ONE I left it alone for you my brother :

[BoroBass]

What are the approximate prices for having a replica made compared to getting a fish mounted? My friend took an 8lb+ bass to the taxidermist a few weeks ago and the cheapest place he found in town was $175. I would guess replicas are significantly more expensive?

[armesjr]

I think if it is citation weight, then mount it.

[Fish Man]

i live in delaware and the state record is 10.5 and citation weight is 5,if i can catch a fish 75% of the record (7.5) id get a mount,oddly enough that is also imbetween the citation and record so id feel justified in mounting it whether it be real or a replica,because as some say if it is that big it has already lived a full life and has already had a chance to spawn a few times

just my $.02,

RedneckRiot

[mattm]

I would say somewhere around 7-8 lbs is where I would start considering it.  7-8 lbs regardless of where you fish is a big bass.  Obviously every situation is a little different.  My personal best of 6-12. I thought for sure she was going to go between 7 and 8 and I would not of mounted it.  I caught it out of a private pond that I get to fish a lot.  So in my mind I have a very realistic chance of catching that fish again.  So it wasn't mount worthy in my mind.  However, I fish a small local lake(70 acres) if I drag an 8 out of  there a replica is going on the wall.  7-8 is kind of small for Texas, but IMO that is a nice fish and if I end up mounting several of that size that would be cool.  If I was not in a situation where I could afford to mount several fish I would probably set my mark at 10 lbs.  I just think it would be really cool to mount every fish I ever caught over 8lbs. IMO that would make a cool room.  I understand the logic of setting mounting marks really high, but sometimes I think people are unrealistic about it and setting themselves up for failure.  I know a guy that GUIDES on Fork and has only caught 1 over 10lbs.  Plus, if I mount 5 that weigh 8 and then catch a 12 I guarantee you that i'll still mount the 12 and the 8's will not be any less special to me.  

[boostnut]

Stop me if you've heard this one........size isnt everything! In my case I've got a 7lb 1oz. LMB and a 2lb crappie on my wall, neither are much to write home about. Why did I have them mounted? The pond they came out of was privately owned and the owner was pushing 95 years old. It was only a matter of time before he passed and I wanted something(s) to remember him by. A couple of years have passed, he has too. To this day I have zero regrets for taking those fish. Everytime I walk into my home office I think of the times past and memories made thanks to Charlie. Sentimental value means more to me than 7 vs. 10 lbs. By the way, I'm from central illinois so my 2 are respectable to most.

[Tpayneful]

I will get a fiberglass reproduction of the first 8lb or larger Largmouth Bass that I catch.  I just hope that my first isn't my last ;D  Bass Pro does fiberglass reproductions for $220 to $250.

[Fish Man]

i dont get the major drawl to get a fiberglass rather than the real thing ,what makes em so much better  :-?, personally i tthink that most/many fisherman take C an R way to far(ryme not intended) and in a sense worship it and think the killing of a fish for any reason is wrong when to me its not  :-/

[linesider7]

It's going to take 14lbs before I have a replica made.

[Hookemdown.]

i dont get the major drawl to get a fiberglass rather than the real thing ,what makes em so much better  :-?, personally i tthink that most/many fisherman take C an R way to far(ryme not intended) and in a sense worship it and think the killing of a fish for any reason is wrong when to me its not  :-/

I'll agree with you there. (But I'd personally get yet a replica made )

My criteria would just be my first DD bass