Mounted or Replica

[Brush Hog20]

Killing a trophy fish for the sake of vanity is not okay in my book....Make the replica...

[Wayne P.]

The replicas in Moser's restaurant at Lake Fork Marina look good.

[Lard_Bass]

This has been a very good discussion.  My neighbor recently told me that his buddy caught a hawg in the pond by my house about 15 years ago that was 5 oz shy of the PA state record.  He got that hawg mounted.  When I heard that, I was disappointed but I am a catch and release guy.  

The decision comes down to your personal opinion what to do.  When I used to saltwater fish when I was younger, I kept more of my catch for eating.  Since I picked up freshwater fishing, I have been a C&R guy and prefer to return the fish to nature.  However, it's hard to argue against keeping a fish if you consider eating any fish as well.  Just my .02.  

[SnowBass23]

Since we all know opinions are like back-ends (and stink even worse) I thought I'd throw mine in!

Personally, I like the replicas, as long as it is from someone who knows what they are doing. Just like everyone else has said, it really is personal choice. As long as a person is following a state's creel limits then I have no problem with them keeping their fish, whether for food or trophy. That being said, I don't like to keep bass. For me, I have passion for the hunt and the actually catching of the fish. When I finally get a bass in, especially if it has any size, I don't like to kill them for any reason. To me, I take far greater pleasure in knowing that for just one minute, just one instant, all the stars lined up right, and in something that feels so primal and passionate, I fought and beat this beast. No one else. For me, killing that creature (for any reason) is not something I want to do. I am much happier sending her back on her way, knowing that I beat her.

Now, a few weeks ago my wife caught a 6.5 LMB that had just finished spawning (she had an enormous head/mouth but was real skinny). I think if she had caught her prior to spawn she would have been an easy 8. I have never gotten one that big, as soon as I unhooked her I wanted to throw her back. My wife wanted to eat her. I tried to emphasize the time it takes for a bass to grow bigger, and that this one was well on her way to being B I G. She wouldn't relent and demanded to eat her. So we did.

Now, As much as I disagreed with my wife's decision, it was HER decision. She caught it and she has a license so I felt she was within her rights as a fisherman to keep a fish that meets the slot requirements. I still occasionally give her a hard time for it.

Anyway, I'd go with the replica and the satisfaction that that big fish is out there still hunting and outsmarting other fishermen! I wouldn't hold it against someone that wanted a trophy either. It's a personal issue.

[Grey Wolf]

D-I-V-O-R-C-E.

[fishfordollars]

Since we all know opinions are like back-ends (and stink even worse) I thought I'd throw mine in!

Personally, I like the replicas, as long as it is from someone who knows what they are doing. Just like everyone else has said, it really is personal choice. As long as a person is following a state's creel limits then I have no problem with them keeping their fish, whether for food or trophy. That being said, I don't like to keep bass. For me, I have passion for the hunt and the actually catching of the fish. When I finally get a bass in, especially if it has any size, I don't like to kill them for any reason. To me, I take far greater pleasure in knowing that for just one minute, just one instant, all the stars lined up right, and in something that feels so primal and passionate, I fought and beat this beast. No one else. For me, killing that creature (for any reason) is not something I want to do. I am much happier sending her back on her way, knowing that I beat her.

Now, a few weeks ago my wife caught a 6.5 LMB that had just finished spawning (she had an enormous head/mouth but was real skinny). I think if she had caught her prior to spawn she would have been an easy 8. I have never gotten one that big, as soon as I unhooked her I wanted to throw her back. My wife wanted to eat her. I tried to emphasize the time it takes for a bass to grow bigger, and that this one was well on her way to being B I G. She wouldn't relent and demanded to eat her. So we did.

Now, As much as I disagreed with my wife's decision, it was HER decision. She caught it and she has a license so I felt she was within her rights as a fisherman to keep a fish that meets the slot requirements. I still occasionally give her a hard time for it.

Anyway, I'd go with the replica and the satisfaction that that big fish is out there still hunting and outsmarting other fishermen! I wouldn't hold it against someone that wanted a trophy either. It's a personal issue.

You did the right thing. It was her decision. If you had put it back just think of all the enduring conversations you could have had with her and her new divorce attorney.

[Raul]

Good mounts and good replicas cost good money.

Why I wouldn 't have the fish mounted and get a replica instead ?

To allow it to pass it 's genes ? it has done it several times in the past, there must be several hundred fish with those genes already swimming in the lake.

I would release the fish hoping it will survive the ordeal of being caught with the expectation of catching it again in the future and hopefully with a few more pounds on it just to have another replica made. Having it mounted would eliminate that possibility once and for all.

[WRB]

Replicas stay looking great years down the road, mounts generally do not.

Regardless of looks, killing a big fish to put on your wall, defeats the purpose of fishing for big fish.

I regret not getting the measurements to my 12lber, nor did I get good pictures, otherwise I'd have a replica now. :-/

Your bass would be about 25 1/2" long X 22 1/2 girth to be 12 lbs., in CA.

Roberts Fish Mounts, Robert Munoz, 626/222.1366 is the bst in the business, IMO.

WRB

[WRB]

The big difference between any mount is how well the artist paints the fish and how long the mount looks good without deteriorating.

Fiberglass molded replicas only require one bass of a specific size to make up a mold. For example a 12 lb bass with a girth 75% length and another 12 lb bass with a girth 90% of it's length represents 99% of the 12 lb bass caught; northern and Florida strain is all the taxidermist needs to inventory. A good photo of the bass gives the artist who paints the fish an idea of what color scheme to use. A fish shin used to make the mount is gray color before painting, the fiberglass is white. Options like mouth open, straight body or acrhed body are different molds or forms.

I have a few skin mounts that date prior to fiberglass replica's and they have aged a lot, changing color, a few cracks etc. The replica mounts look like new after 20 years; the paint is still life like, as if the bass just came out if the water.

WRB

[Fish Chris]

Well now, like I've said many times before, I release 'all' of my biggest fish (and most of the smaller ones too) because "I like to catch big fish" ! For me to catch a big fish, kill it, and hang it on the wall, would be "to hurt my own future odds, of catching an even bigger fish".

My buddies and I have C/R'd big bass, and then re-C/R'd the very same fish, with solid photo proof, many times. And the more time that passes, the more often it happens.

If I C/R a big fish, then one of you comes along and catches it > totally because < I chose to release it, that's great ! Congrats to you. But I've got to be honest, I C/R'd that fish, first and foremost, to increase my own odds at catching that fish again, in the future, when it had grown to be even larger.

For me to kill a big fish, would be like shooting myself in the foot. Just totally counter-productive, and illogical.

Peace,

Fish

[Mattlures]

FC I am going to write up a big post about replicas and Skin mounts. Can you send me the pictures of your replicas? Send them to mattlures@yahoo.com THANKS! I know you had at least one done by Robersts and anothe done by lake fork. Those are 2 of the 3 shops I recomend so I would to show those.

[Fish Chris]

I'd be glad too.

Peace,

Fish

[VA BassHound]

Here is a site that compares skin mounts vs. replicas:

http://www.silverdoctortaxidermy.com/SDRvsSM.htm

[Newman12Fan]

One question that I did not see answered is what would you consider big enough for a mount?  My personal largest bass was 6.5 pounds.  I am sure many more serious fishermen here can catch a 6.5 pounder in their sleep.  So what would be your min size to get a mount made of?

[roadwarrior]

One question that I did not see answered is what would you consider big enough for a mount? My personal largest bass was 6.5 pounds. I am sure many more serious fishermen here can catch a 6.5 pounder in their sleep. So what would be your min size to get a mount made of?

12lbs.

That would be a nice smallmouth!

8-)

[Dangle]

id say replica, so that maybe you can catch the fish again.

[Wayne P.]

Since reading the silverdoctor site, I have reservations and questions about replicas since I have never considered one.

So a fish is killed to make the mold for a replica. Does that mean that if the mold supplier does not have an exact mold of the size caught or formed in the position you want, that you cannot get a replica of your fish in the correct size and in the pose that you want? If you don't want to settle for a replica that is close but not exact, is another fish killed to produce the replica? I have caught a bass that weighed 8# 6 oz and was 27 1/8" long and another that weighed 10# 4oz and was 27" long. Do replica producers have a mold for each of those or does the taxidermist make modifications to the replica before painting?

I was thinking that the replica was made from a sculpture by an artist of the exact deminsions provided instead of a mold of an actual fish.

"Inquiring minds want to know"

[Mattlures]

Wayne most of the big shops have thier own inventory of molds. Blanks can be altered a little but not much as far as lenght and girth goes. unique features such as split fins or a scar etc can be matched by any skilled taxidermist. There are Taxidermy supply companies that sell blanks(the actual unpainted replica) If you have a typical sized fish your taxidermist should have no problem matching your measurements and getting it in the pose you want. Now if you caught a rare size or shaped fish you may not have as many options. For instance say you caught a 20lb bass that was 28 in x 27 in. Well I am sure a good taxidermist would be able to find a match within 1/2 in on either measurement but you may only have one option for the pose. Or if you caught a 32 in bass that was super skinny and only weighed 12lbs it might be difficult to find a matching blank.  In general there are tons of options for typyical sized trophy bass. There are also some shops that will(for an extra charge) make a mold of your actual fish.

All of this depends on how important the exact measurement are to you. usualy the taxidermist will give you a wndow. The measurements will be within 1/2 in either way and the weight will be within 2ounces.  You as the customer wont be able to tell the difference anyways becase you cant lay the replica flat and get an accurate measurement.

Also remember this, Most skin mounts will be off MORE than 1/2 inch from the original measurements when they are finished.

[Catt]

Very interesting subject  

Personally I've never mounted nor had a replica made of any fish or animal. I have photos and memories which are good enough for me.

[rondef]

I still don't know what I would choose but I have a problem with what I read about the replicas. The problem I have with the replicas after reading the comparison is as follows.

"The replica producers must obtain (and kill) a large number of fish to have different mold sizes available. The meat is usually wasted in producing the molds."

So what is the real difference if someone chooses to keep their bass over having a replica made? Big fish still die in order to make these molds.

[hawghunter1744]

wow.. never knew such a simple question would have sparked a debate like this!!!

[Bankbeater]

I prefer a ton of pictures over a replica or a mount. They are alot easier to carry around and show people .

[Grey Wolf]

I prefer a ton of pictures over a replica or a mount. They are alot easier to carry around and show people .

PLUS A WHOLE LOT CHEAPER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Mattlures]

Rondef their is a big difference. The molds are already made. no more fish have to die. One mold will produce as many blanks as needed. Also not all the fish that are used to make the molds were alive and healthy. Many were made with old fish found freshly dead or they died when released. I know a big shop down here that had the rangers save any realy big fish that they found fresh.

That site that compaired skin mounts to repros did a poor job at best. It almost like they are trying to talk you into a skin mount. Like I said before most of the big world class shops wont do skin mounts because they are an inferior product. small shops or mediocertaxidermist can find a nich in the market by doing the work that the best taxidermist wont. Now I am not saying that perticular taxidermist is good or bad, I dont know. I do know his comparison is weak at best. I working on a very detailed article that will point out the good and bad with skin mounts and Repros. Since I dont do any taxidermy work for customers anymore, I have nothing to loose or gain by sharring my opinions on the subject.

[bigbasser121]

I caught my first big one a few years ago and regretfully had it mounted. I'll never take another bass out of the water for good again. But if i needed something to look at it would definatly be a replica.