Banning skin mounts 2024
Jake Coucoules reply :
Hey guys I’ve been using this website forever but never felt the need to post until now. I can’t believe this disturbing trend of keeping a large bass to make a skin mount of it is still a thing. In this day in age cameras and fiberglass mounts are so good that there is literally no need to kill a fish to make a memory of it. So many lakes near me have been absolutely destroyed because of people keeping all the 5lb+ bass and I don’t understand the point of it. Some of these lakes are under 5 acres and can’t hold many bass over 5lbs. Why wouldn’t you wanna release it to catch it again another day? Especially if it’s not even a state/world record... don’t get me wrong a 5lb bass is a greasy catch and not very easy to come by in NJ but don’t these people understand they’re making it so much harder by taking them out and putting them on their wall? It just seems like we need to do something about this because it’s so ridiculously stupid and harmful to the fisheries and the only thing I can think of is making skin mounts illegal. Does anyone else agree or do I just care too much about these fish?
J Francho reply :
You talk like everyone is out skin mounting 5# bass. They aren't. For every fish skin mounted, how many more were released into Crisco bay? Never mind that, how many are caught illegally for resale at fish markets? I think you're picking the wrong fight. If I catch five 5 lb. bass in a day, I can keep them and eat them, mount them, feed them to my dogs, or fertilize my garden with them, legally. I'm not, though. The reality is, the people that catch these larger fish up here with any type of regularity are typically catch and release anyway. The fluke catch by a casual angler that gets mounted is a drop in the bucket, and not a problem. You could easily prove this to yourself by conducting your own informal survey. Ask all the local taxidermists how many skin mount bass they deliver to customers per year, and what sizes they were. Report back to us.
NittyGrittyBoy reply :
You have to remember, not everybody is conservation minded like you. It's like politics, everyone has an opinion. And keeping bass is legal and within their rights. No matter how strongly you disagree.
You could lobby your local Fish and Game conservation agency to tighten down on regulations, watch for poachers keeping too many fish, etc..But I agree with J Franco, skin mounts are not your problem, the frying pan is.
Jake Coucoules reply :
I don’t know why you took my post so personally I don’t even know who you are. I also have never even heard of Crisco bay I said in my post that I’m talking about NJ where regulations state that all bass caught between April 15 and June 15 be immediately released which is the prime time most of these skin mounted fish are caught. I also was referring more specifically to someone who I seen catch a bass over 6lbs in a 2 acre heavily fished pond to put it on his wall during the catch and release season. This person also claimed to have 4 other mounts of large fish from the area which seems like a problem to me. I agree in the grand scheme of things it is a small drop in the bucket, but it my area there’s not many lakes and most of them are extremely small and extremely pressured compared to most places in the world. Taking the biggest bass out of the pond just for “bragging rights” seems ridiculous when everyone has a camera in their pocket now a days. It just bothers me to see such a beautiful majestic and rare creature die for literally no reason.
And btw I completely agree that bucket fisherman are a much bigger problem to the fisheries as a whole but our F&G has a hard time managing that, even if you report it to them... but I only made this post because most of those people aren’t using $500 combos and claiming to be “expert bass fisherman.” The people Im talking about who are mounting big bass act like they could be professionals...
Choporoz reply :
On 2/11/2020 at 11:27 PM, Jake Coucoules said:Hey guys I’ve been using this website forever but never felt the need to post until now. I can’t believe this disturbing trend of keeping a large bass to make a skin mount of it is still a thing. In this day in age cameras and fiberglass mounts are so good that there is literally no need to kill a fish to make a memory of it. So many lakes near me have been absolutely destroyed because of people keeping all the 5lb+ bass and I don’t understand the point of it. Some of these lakes are under 5 acres and can’t hold many bass over 5lbs. Why wouldn’t you wanna release it to catch it again another day? Especially if it’s not even a state/world record... don’t get me wrong a 5lb bass is a greasy catch and not very easy to come by in NJ but don’t these people understand they’re making it so much harder by taking them out and putting them on their wall? It just seems like we need to do something about this because it’s so ridiculously stupid and harmful to the fisheries and the only thing I can think of is making skin mounts illegal. Does anyone else agree or do I just care too much about these fish?
Thank you. I'm so glad that a fisheries biologist could join us and weigh in on what is best for the waters. Yes!! By all means, we need more laws and more government to legislate against fishermen doing what the DNRs have so foolishly neglected to outlaw!! Rise UP! Write your congressmen! Maybe we can organize a protest at your local lake? Boycott taxidermists! Please post a link to the scientific studies that you have that show 'harmful to the fisheries' and how the 'lakes near (you) have been absolutely destroyed because of people keeping all the 5lb+ bass'. We probably should outlaw all bass fishing. Even if just for like 10 or 15 years...to let NJ lakes recover.
WRB reply :
Replica molds are made using a real bass so 1 dead bass that size was used.
I agree that a replica mount is superior and longer lasting then a skin mount if the artist has equal skills.
Mounts are expensive and doubt if anglers are killing bass for skin mounts often enough to impact a fishery. I remember seeing a dumpster full of frozen DD bass anglers brought to Trophy Fish Mounts back in the 90's to have replica mounts made that were not needed to make a mount. Anglers tend to keep their PB bass because they don't survive all the extra handling for pictures and bragging.
Tom
J Francho reply :
On 2/12/2020 at 12:06 AM, Jake Coucoules said:I don’t know why you took my post so personally I don’t even know who you are.
I didn't, it's a conversation forum. Opinions are posted, and debated all the time. Why post, if you are unwilling to pursue an open discussion? All I'm saying, try to change the law based on a sixer from a pond, and see how that turns out. I've been involved with change - it takes years, and data. Tons of data. Add in tons of support. It took thousands of anglers in NY to change bass fishing regulations in order to get a catch and release season from December through June. Even then, there is one region that is a hold out.
You aren't going to get much traction on a forum made up of anglers that practice and teach responsible harvest, catch & release, and promotes livewell fish care in tournaments to new and experience alike.
So, tell us what the real problem is, and maybe we can help. Emotion doesn't bring policy change, data does.
By the way, Crisco Bay is surrounded by Frying Pan, just over Flame. It's an expression for catch and eat. Maybe my response makes more sense to you, knowing that.
On 2/12/2020 at 12:17 AM, WRB said:Anglers tend to keep their PB bass because they don't survive all the extra handling for pictures and bragging.
I don't even have a picture of mine. 
JediAmoeba reply :
On 2/11/2020 at 11:27 PM, Jake Coucoules said:Hey guys I’ve been using this website forever but never felt the need to post until now. I can’t believe this disturbing trend of keeping a large bass to make a skin mount of it is still a thing. In this day in age cameras and fiberglass mounts are so good that there is literally no need to kill a fish to make a memory of it. So many lakes near me have been absolutely destroyed because of people keeping all the 5lb+ bass and I don’t understand the point of it. Some of these lakes are under 5 acres and can’t hold many bass over 5lbs. Why wouldn’t you wanna release it to catch it again another day? Especially if it’s not even a state/world record... don’t get me wrong a 5lb bass is a greasy catch and not very easy to come by in NJ but don’t these people understand they’re making it so much harder by taking them out and putting them on their wall? It just seems like we need to do something about this because it’s so ridiculously stupid and harmful to the fisheries and the only thing I can think of is making skin mounts illegal. Does anyone else agree or do I just care too much about these fish?
Living in Eastern Pa, skin mounts are far from the problem - a lot of the people fishing here keep everything to eat. And by everything, I mean everything. There are a few guys I run into that only live bait fish and last June (when it is illegal to keep any bass in Pa) they had a bucket with 12 bass, a bunch of perch, all sizes of sunfish, a dozen or more trout, a few bullheads and numerous small pickerel. They don't care what they catch, they keep them all. I have found these same guys with buckets of 2-3" sunfish and bluegill they keep to eat. Usually they have 10-15 poles cast out, all with sabiki rigs using various live baits.
This is my concern, not keeping a few fish. Also, large fish sometimes die when you catch them...may as well get it mounted if it's a great catch.
J Francho reply :
I'm most concerned with what people living on shore and on watershed land use on their lawns.
NittyGrittyBoy reply :
I knew this would be a ???????????? topic ????
Jake Coucoules reply :
I didn’t make this post to offend anyone or with the intentions of ever changing any laws because as we all know they don’t get followed anyway. I made this post hoping I could at least convince one person to release their PB instead of killing it to put on their wall. I don’t think you guys truly understand the size of most of the ponds I’m referring to where it really hurts me. These are .5-5 acre ponds where there obviously aren’t many big fish in them it’s physically impossible. I don’t think you could fill a dumpster with ALL the fish in any one of these given ponds. And I know that they probably don’t matter to any of you but as a kid growing up without a car or a boat or access the any large bodies of water this is all I had. I spend countless days doing anything I could to just SEE one of these truly amazing beasts that are usually the kings of the ponds they reside in. I know I’m considered weird but I get more joy watching the fish swim away then I could have ever gotten from a picture or “bragging rights.” I always follow the rule of holding my breath for as long as the fish is out of the water because if it’s hard for me to breathe then imagine how hard it is for the fish. I know I care too much I just wanna see these awesome fish get a little more respect.
On 2/12/2020 at 12:31 AM, J Francho said:I'm most concerned with what people living on shore and on watershed land use on their lawns.
This is a great point I’m glad you brought it up. A lot of people living near bodies of water have no idea how much damage they do to the lakes with all the pesticides they spray in their lawn, or even better the township when they do construction and don’t set up silt fences and let all the loose dirt run right into the lake! Look at Newton Lake it’s only a couple years from turning into a total swamp from all the erosion and run off... but that’s a whole different story lol
12poundbass reply :
On 2/12/2020 at 12:35 AM, Jake Coucoules said:didn’t make this post to offend anyone
It doesn’t sound like anyone is offended here. It does appear that you’re a little taken back by the lack of support.
J Francho reply :
Who here do you think is offended? Seems like you are projecting. Take a spin around the "latest catch" thread, and see all the slobs posted that released. Maybe that will help you feel better. It's not that we don't support your efforts to be a good steward, and be cautious with all your catches, not just the trophies, but you are preaching to the choir. Pretty much everyone here respects the environment and the fish we angle for.
Jake Coucoules reply :
On 2/12/2020 at 12:42 AM, 12poundbass said:It doesn’t sound like anyone is offended here. It does appear that you’re a little taken back by the lack of support.
You’re right offend was probably the wrong choice of words. You’re also right I didn’t expect it to turn into an argument about what is the worst thing for a fishery. I’m not a biologist.. I barely graduated high school. I just love bass and fish in general and I’m so tired of seeing them die for something as pointless as a “trophy” on a wall. Especially when there are so many better options of making a memory of the fish without killing it.
jbsoonerfan reply :
I had a replica done of my PB, it looks nothing like it. Wish I would have went with a skin mount. I had pics from the guys work and it looked great. I guess I assumed mine would look exactly like the fish I caught and it doesn't. Every time I look at it I think, well that doesn't look like my PB at all. But it is what it is.
JediAmoeba reply :
On 2/12/2020 at 1:00 AM, jbsoonerfan said:I had a replica done of my PB, it looks nothing like it. Wish I would have went with a skin mount. I had pics from the guys work and it looked great. I guess I assumed mine would look exactly like the fish I caught and it doesn't. Every time I look at it I think, well that doesn't look like my PB at all. But it is what it is.
An artist's interpretation...kind of like when they turn a book into a movie - the idea is there but it's not the same thing.
DINK WHISPERER reply :
On 2/12/2020 at 12:35 AM, Jake Coucoules said:I didn’t make this post to offend anyone or with the intentions of ever changing any laws because as we all know they don’t get followed anyway. I made this post hoping I could at least convince one person to release their PB instead of killing it to put on their wall. I don’t think you guys truly understand the size of most of the ponds I’m referring to where it really hurts me. These are .5-5 acre ponds where there obviously aren’t many big fish in them it’s physically impossible. I don’t think you could fill a dumpster with ALL the fish in any one of these given ponds. And I know that they probably don’t matter to any of you but as a kid growing up without a car or a boat or access the any large bodies of water this is all I had. I spend countless days doing anything I could to just SEE one of these truly amazing beasts that are usually the kings of the ponds they reside in. I know I’m considered weird but I get more joy watching the fish swim away then I could have ever gotten from a picture or “bragging rights.” I always follow the rule of holding my breath for as long as the fish is out of the water because if it’s hard for me to breathe then imagine how hard it is for the fish. I know I care too much I just wanna see these awesome fish get a little more respect.
Trust me buddy we do understand but you have to choose your battles. And I completely agree that the frying pan is the bigger issue.
My son and I had an incredible honey hole ruined by this very thing. It was loaded with bass and hardly anything under 3 lbs. It is located in a remote area out in the woods that basically needs an ATV to get to it. We were fishing one day when this group of people on four-wheelers came by. Not thinking much of it we spilled the beans about what we used and how many fish were in there. Next thing you know the place starts getting trashed daily with litter and they ate everything they could get their hands on in there. I was infuriated at them and mad at myself for telling them but such is life.
Choporoz reply :
On 2/12/2020 at 12:58 AM, Jake Coucoules said:You’re right offend was probably the wrong choice of words. You’re also right I didn’t expect it to turn into an argument about what is the worst thing for a fishery. I’m not a biologist.. I barely graduated high school. I just love bass and fish in general and I’m so tired of seeing them die for something as pointless as a “trophy” on a wall. Especially when there are so many better options of making a memory of the fish without killing it.
I suggest you take a small step back and breath. We all care very much for our fisheries. You simply came in sounding a bit judgemental and made claims about the impact on the fisheries that you can't come near backing up.
Take that passion to your local DNR office and see if they need a volunteer -- or organize a shore clean up....or something else where you can actually make a difference - as opposed to yelling at the wind without a hint of data other than a single fish data point
NittyGrittyBoy reply :
The only perfect pond you can have is if you are the only one that can fish and manage it.
If its public, we just do the best we can with what we got. Nature of the beast.
Jrob78 reply :
It's also comes off a bit hypocritical to complain about people doing whatever they please with fish they legally caught while also fishing and posing for pictures with fish yourself. Do you think all those fish you caught lived? Do you think your own fishing pressure on tiny ponds has no adverse effect?
The vast majority of us do our best to be good stewards of the waters we fish and the fish we catch. Nobody wants to see their honey hole get burned by people not respecting the resource but I think you need to take a breath...and call a game warden if you see something illegal happening.
FishinBuck07 reply :
On 2/12/2020 at 12:33 AM, NittyGrittyBoy said:I knew this would be a ???????????? topic ????
You ain't lying!!!!????
I look at it like this, the other guy standing next to me most likely bought a license at the same cost I did. Therefor he has the same rights as I do, who am I to judge what he does with his catch? If he has followed all the rules, as I do, and all the things he is doing to catch that fish is within the same regulations I am abiding by, then why do I get a say in what he does with his harvest? Now if they are not following regulations and breaking the laws we have, then yes I will say something to a Wildlife Officer. As long as they are staying within the guidelines the state agency has set for my area, and they have a license I don't care what they do with their catch!
12poundbass reply :
On 2/12/2020 at 1:04 AM, JediAmoeba said:An artist's interpretation...kind of like when they turn a book into a movie - the idea is there but it's not the same thing.
I’m sorry but that’s horrible compared to the real fish. Had the painter (I call him that because a true artist would have done a much better job) matched the lines and detail you’d probably be happy with it. It looks like he just did what he wanted and what he ‘thought’ looked good, instead of matching your pictures.
Sorry you got the shaft.
JediAmoeba reply :
On 2/12/2020 at 1:13 AM, FishinBuck07 said:You ain't lying!!!!????
I look at it like this, the other guy standing next to me most likely bought a license at the same cost I did. Therefor he has the same rights as I do, who am I to judge what he does with his catch? If he has followed all the rules, as I do, and all the things he is doing to catch that fish is within the same regulations I am abiding by, then why do I get a say in what he does with his harvest? Now if they are not following regulations and breaking the laws we have, then yes I will say something to a Wildlife Officer. As long as they are staying within the guidelines the state agency has set for my area, and they have a license I don't care what they do with their catch!
I have had a lot of problems with this though - a lot of people don't buy licenses in Pa. Especially out of staters. Our fish commission knows it's a big problem and I have been on contact with them (had a senator call me about it) but they don't have the resources to enforce such things
Hewhospeaksmuchbull reply :
On 2/12/2020 at 12:35 AM, Jake Coucoules said:I made this post hoping I could at least convince one person to release their PB instead of killing it to put on their wall.
Done!
MN Fisher reply :
On 2/12/2020 at 12:35 AM, Jake Coucoules said:I made this post hoping I could at least convince one person to release their PB instead of killing it to put on their wall.
My PB - definitely release after a few pics. Even though my fishery is over 14,000 acres and there's good bass in it.
2-3 pounders on the other hand have a 50/50 chance of ending up in my freezer.
Dens228 reply :
You posted that people around you don't obey the catch and release law, you think they'd obey the skin mount ban?
It's not about adding new laws, it's about enforcing the laws that already exist.
I'll list Chicago gun control as an example...........
jbsoonerfan reply :
On 2/12/2020 at 2:26 AM, Dens228 said:You posted that people around you don't obey the catch and release law, you think they'd obey the skin mount ban?
It's not about adding new laws, it's about enforcing the laws that already exist.
I'll list Chicago gun control as an example...........
Easy now.....
TnRiver46 reply :
On 2/11/2020 at 11:37 PM, J Francho said:You talk like everyone is out skin mounting 5# bass. They aren't. For every fish skin mounted, how many more were released into Crisco bay? Never mind that, how many are caught illegally for resale at fish markets? I think you're picking the wrong fight. If I catch five 5 lb. bass in a day, I can keep them and eat them, mount them, feed them to my dogs, or fertilize my garden with them, legally. I'm not, though. The reality is, the people that catch these larger fish up here with any type of regularity are typically catch and release anyway. The fluke catch by a casual angler that gets mounted is a drop in the bucket, and not a problem. You could easily prove this to yourself by conducting your own informal survey. Ask all the local taxidermists how many skin mount bass they deliver to customers per year, and what sizes they were. Report back to us.
Or how many die naturally ? People think they automatically live forever if you let them go. Fish are a renewable resource
LargeMarge reply :
I agree with you on not actually keeping a fish to mount, I have no interest in that.
But you've posed a separate issue with people keeping illegal fish in your area ponds. Not much we can do about that from this forum. I'm sure a local game warden would love to know about that, so I would suggest you reach out and voice your concerns.
Ultimately you gotta reach the right audience for this. If the issue is people who keep fish and don't follow the law at your local ponds, you need to reach those people in some way. I'm guessing there aren't many who are members or read this site.
scaleface reply :
I have a skin mount of my first 7 lb bass, caught about forty years ago before replicas were available . I will probably never have another one done but dont like the idea of that liberty taken away .
Dens228 reply :
On 2/12/2020 at 2:37 AM, jbsoonerfan said:Easy now.....
But this is off track and not the forum for this discussion. Just meant as an example
J Francho reply :
On 2/12/2020 at 3:33 AM, Dens228 said:But this is off track and not the forum for this discussion. Just meant as an example
AND AGAINST FORUM RULES.
TnRiver46 reply :
On 2/12/2020 at 1:00 AM, jbsoonerfan said:I had a replica done of my PB, it looks nothing like it. Wish I would have went with a skin mount. I had pics from the guys work and it looked great. I guess I assumed mine would look exactly like the fish I caught and it doesn't. Every time I look at it I think, well that doesn't look like my PB at all. But it is what it is.
My skin mount looks EXACTLY like the fish. I've only ever mounted one so please forgive me!!
jbsoonerfan reply :
On 2/12/2020 at 4:48 AM, TnRiver46 said:My skin mount looks EXACTLY like the fish. I've only ever mounted one so please forgive me!!
Lol, that's what I wish I would have done!
scaleface reply :
Even on skin mounts the Taxidermist has to paint the fish , so you could still get one that is vastly different than what it looked like when caught . Then you could get one from muddy water , not much color , looks washed out . I wouldnt want my bass looking like that .
J Francho reply :
Accuracy in the color has nothing to do with whether it's skin mount or replica. Both are painted.
soflabasser reply :
I rather print enlarged pictures of my catches and put them on the wall than kill a bass for a skin mount. Will only consider getting a replica made from someone who is known for very good replicas.
A-Jay reply :
On 2/12/2020 at 4:56 AM, soflabasser said:I rather print enlarged pictures of my catches and put them on the wall than kill a bass for a skin mount. Will only consider getting a replica made from someone who is known for very good replicas.
This is exactly what I go with.
Digital prints on canvas -
A-Jay
J Francho reply :
I have a replica of @A-Jay in my fish room.
MN Fisher reply :
On 2/12/2020 at 5:05 AM, A-Jay said:This is exactly what I go with.
Digital prints on canvas -
I'll probably just print them myself on 5x7 and put in frames. I have the technology....
That reminds me...need to do that to last year's best-of-the-year.
A-Jay reply :
On 2/12/2020 at 5:09 AM, J Francho said:I have a replica of @A-Jay in my fish room.
Well thank goodness it's not a skin mount
A-Jay
TnRiver46 reply :
On 2/12/2020 at 1:40 AM, JediAmoeba said:I have had a lot of problems with this though - a lot of people don't buy licenses in Pa. Especially out of staters. Our fish commission knows it's a big problem and I have been on contact with them (had a senator call me about it) but they don't have the resources to enforce such things
They have plenty of resources and want you to think there's nothing they can do. They drive 650000 dollar pickup trucks all over town and rarely get out. They are paid well with good benefits and most enjoy their job because they don't have much to do and are well compensated. I personally know 7 of them in my state, went to college with them and still talk daily. They've got it made and want you to think they are underfunded. That way they don't have to put forth a lot of effort. But that helps in cases of poaching, they would rather have a concerned citizen find the criminal so they don't have to do all the work
12poundbass reply :
On 2/12/2020 at 5:17 AM, A-Jay said:Well thank goodness it's not a skin mount
A-Jay
Jaderose reply :
I'm guessing the OP is pretty young. To him, I say this......you are posting this on probably the ONE place where virtually EVERY SINGLE MEMBER of the community cares about the quality of their fisheries and do their best to maintain or improve them. We also ALL understand what .5 to 5 acre pond looks like. If people are harvesting fish legally, you are free to be upset but you are not free to try to stop them other than asking them not to.
DINK WHISPERER reply :
On 2/12/2020 at 5:09 AM, J Francho said:I have a replica of @A-Jay in my fish room.
Where can I get one of those!?!
TnRiver46 reply :
On 2/12/2020 at 5:51 AM, DINK WHISPERER said:Where can I get one of those!?!
Viva la Mexico!!!
hahah Woops @DINK WHISPERER, I thought we meant replicas of ajays fish, not an ajay replica . My bad..... reading while walking ....... it’s a lot funnier now that I get it.......
Michigander reply :
I only started keeping track of my PBs a few years ago; released all of four of them after pictures. Skin mounts are expensive and the bait monkey would team up with my boat to beat me down for wasting money like that.
lo n slo reply :
On 2/12/2020 at 4:48 AM, TnRiver46 said:My skin mount looks EXACTLY like the fish. I've only ever mounted one so please forgive me!!
that pic makes you look like a crazy person ????
must have been fun!
Dens228 reply :
On 2/12/2020 at 3:55 AM, J Francho said:AND AGAINST FORUM RULES.
My bad........apologies.
papajoe222 reply :
It all boils down to the individual. One has a right to do as they please whether or not I disagree with them. Fact of the matter is, if I ever caught the state record bass, I'd have a very difficult time deciding whether or not to get it mounted and I've been a catch and release guy for close to 50yrs.
I have a mount my father had done when I was in my teens and I can say, with all honesty, that looking at that mount stirs more in me than viewing the picture I took of him holding the fish when he caught it.
N Florida Mike reply :
On 2/12/2020 at 1:00 AM, jbsoonerfan said:I had a replica done of my PB, it looks nothing like it. Wish I would have went with a skin mount. I had pics from the guys work and it looked great. I guess I assumed mine would look exactly like the fish I caught and it doesn't. Every time I look at it I think, well that doesn't look like my PB at all. But it is what it is.
My pb was a skin mount and it didn’t look like the real thing either. Much darker than the real thing.
Michigander reply :
On 2/12/2020 at 9:05 AM, N Florida Mike said:My pb was a skin mount and it didn’t look like the real thing either. Much darker than the real thing.
Never hired a taxidermist, is it an option to have a mount redone?
Bigassbass reply :
25 years ago I caught a 6lb bass out of a local lake, put it in the live well and drove around the corner to the weigh in to have it weighed. The bass was dead when I took it out, couldn't have been in the live well more than 5 minutes. So I weighed it and tried to revive it but no success. My neighbor then had a taxidermist shop so I got him to mount the fish, wasn't going to eat it or waste it. Cost a lot of money even back then but it looks as good as day one. I practice catch and release but sometimes stuff happens thats beyond your control, I've never regretted mounting my fish, I would mount a 10lb or better one if I ever catch it!
N Florida Mike reply :
On 2/12/2020 at 8:27 AM, lo n slo said:that pic makes you look like a crazy person ????
must have been fun!
It’s because of that hat with the T on it. ????
On 2/12/2020 at 9:10 AM, Michigander said:Never hired a taxidermist, is it an option to have a mount redone?
I have never heard of them being redone but seems like it wouldnt be too hard.
gimruis reply :
My PB large is a skin mount on my wall. Not because I wanted it there, but because it didn’t survive. I deep hooked it in August when it was very warm out and I tried for 15 minutes to revive it, unsuccessfully. So I kept it and got it mounted. My Father has a replica of his PB smallmouth and I would go that route if I decided to get another mount in the future.
People harvesting bass, or fish in general, constitute a much larger percentage of mortality that people keeping a fish for a skin mount.
N Florida Mike reply :
It’s ok to want to preserve bass. I just don’t want any more new laws to make it happen.
soflabasser reply :
On 2/12/2020 at 5:05 AM, A-Jay said:This is exactly what I go with.
Digital prints on canvas -
A-Jay
Awesome catches @A-Jay. What is the length and girth of that smallmouth bass? At this moment in time I have most my favorite catches in photo albums. The rest of the photos are saved in memory chips. Having enlarged photos like you have is a great idea and you save lots of money. That saved money can be used for fishing vacations which to me is more valuable than having a skin mount or replica bass on the wall.
Mobasser reply :
Lots of folks, even very avid fisherman, fish for years before they catch a bass that's big enough to be mounted. Of course their proud of this fish, and the time spent in catching it. We all know the big bass don't always come easy. If someone wants to skin mount a trophy bass, so be it. I don't know the percentage, but would imagine these are a small percentage of the bass caught in an average season. I see no harm in it.
Bluebasser86 reply :
I have one skin mount. It's a 6lb fish I caught out of a pond in the middle of summer. Water was hot, temps were in the mid 90s in the middle of the day, and she took the small crankbait deep into her gills. Didn't look like she was going to make it, kept floating back to the surface and the big snapping turtles were closing in fast. I still felt guilty keeping the fish. The mount looks good, but it doesn't look much like the fish did when I caught it. Water had a very dark, tannic stain, so the fish was almost black. The fish I got back wasn't nearly as dark as the fish in my pictures.
I don't personally have any desire to ever get a skin mount of fish done again and don't understand the need for it to be "your fish", but it's legal so it's not my place to tell someone what they can and can't do with it provided it was caught legally by someone with a fishing license.
jeffo21 reply :
I took pictures and had a replica made of my PB. I thought my replica turned out good.
jbsoonerfan reply :
Yours looks like mine, almost exactly. Being that you are from Durant, there is a good chance it was done by the same person.
jeffo21 reply :
I used Smitty's taxidermy just west of Durant
TnRiver46 reply :
On 2/12/2020 at 8:27 AM, lo n slo said:that pic makes you look like a crazy person ????
must have been fun!
Deep in the archives, there are pictures that make me look like a much crazier person. It was spring break my senior year of college, dragged My papaws Jon boat all the way to Texas with nothing but a trolling motor (Thread hijack alert). I owe Texas one bass
slonezp reply :
Not a bass but my PB walleye is the most realistic skin mount I have ever seen. Makes my PB bass and PB crappie skin mounts look mediocre at best. If I ever catch a new PB bass and this guy is still practicing taxidermy I'm going to wrap the fish in a wet towel, put it in the freezer, and bring it to him to make a permanent memory for my trophy wall. Sometimes I regret throwing back my PB smallie, but I already had a smallmouth skin mount. Still debating a replica, but confident I'll catch another Sturgeon Bay hawg that will spend its afterlife above my fireplace.
A-Jay reply :
On 2/12/2020 at 9:49 AM, soflabasser said:Awesome catches @A-Jay. What is the length and girth of that smallmouth bass? At this moment in time I have most my favorite catches in photo albums. The rest of the photos are saved in memory chips. Having enlarged photos like you have is a great idea and you save lots of money. That saved money can be used for fishing vacations which to me is more valuable than having a skin mount or replica bass on the wall.
Thanks -
Not to be a hi-jacker but
I never got the length & girth of that fish.
Got a weight and did some show & tell for the video & released her.
https://youtu.be/IsGq2UNY_K8
As for the prints - they are all done by Kevin Washburn.
You can find him on FB @TheAntzlProject
He does world class work.
A-Jay
Dwight Hottle reply :
I look at the big picture. We all practice catch & release, conservation and are good stewards of our fisheries. With that in mind what difference does a dead bass make? If you want to have a skin mount go ahead. A replica actually will last longer, be more durable & will not bleed out oils like a skin mount does over time. The same thing applies to keeping fish for the dinner table. If you want to it’s your right to do so within the limits. The few fish we kill will not adversely affect the health of our sport.
QUAKEnSHAKE reply :
Look at it this way. There are many out there that feel fishing as a sport is 
unethical and want to ban fishing altogether.
jbsoonerfan reply :
On 2/12/2020 at 11:26 AM, jeffo21 said:I used Smitty's taxidermy just west of Durant
????
GreenPig reply :
BASS! It's what for dinner. Oh yes I do.
Largemouth & Spots get equal attention.
slonezp reply :
On 2/12/2020 at 1:11 PM, GreenPig said:BASS! It's what for dinner. Oh yes I do.
Largemouth & Spots get equal attention.
Unfortunately some people have issues with what people do with legally harvested fish. Try cutting the bass fillets into scallops, wrap with bacon, put them on shishkabob sticks and grill over indirect heat.
NittyGrittyBoy reply :
Yall making me hungry!!
Jake Coucoules reply :
On 2/12/2020 at 11:56 AM, Dwight Hottle said:I look at the big picture. We all practice catch & release, conservation and are good stewards of our fisheries. With that in mind what difference does a dead bass make? If you want to have a skin mount go ahead. A replica actually will last longer, be more durable & will not bleed out oils like a skin mount does over time. The same thing applies to keeping fish for the dinner table. If you want to it’s your right to do so within the limits. The few fish we kill will not adversely affect the health of our sport.
This is the same attitude people who litter and don’t recycle have. “I’m just one person so if I throw all my trash in the street it’s not gonna effect anything.” And once everyone adopted that mindset our entire environment became full of trash. What difference does it make if I throw my McDonald’s cup in the trash or on the ground?
scaleface reply :
All bass die
J Francho reply :
On 2/12/2020 at 9:16 PM, Jake Coucoules said:This is the same attitude people who litter and don’t recycle have. “I’m just one person so if I throw all my trash in the street it’s not gonna effect anything.” And once everyone adopted that mindset our entire environment became full of trash. What difference does it make if I throw my McDonald’s cup in the trash or on the ground?
There you go - that's how you sell it when you see someone doing what you think is wrong. That's a good angle for doing better than what the law allows, without coming off as preaching. They are one person, that's one trophy. What of others could catch that fish, and feel the same joy. The world needs more of that.
Jake Coucoules reply :
On 2/12/2020 at 9:22 PM, scaleface said:All bass die
All people die. Or is that against forum rules to say ????
DanielG reply :
Maybe it's the location that is important. I fish lakes here that are tough, the fish aren't huge but the lakes are fairly large and deep. There are 22 of them in my area. It seems like in some areas the bodies of water are smaller with big fish that can be easily fished out. Maybe in some places mounting might be an issue.
In a (small) show of support.
I've got a daughter and her husband who have solar panels on their roof, drive an electric car, eat guacamole and hummus and go to the gym regularly. I'm amused by it, and sometimes, as a Dad I kid them about it. But, deep down I know, it doesn't mean they're wrong.
gimruis reply :
On 2/12/2020 at 9:16 PM, Jake Coucoules said:This is the same attitude people who litter and don’t recycle have. “I’m just one person so if I throw all my trash in the street it’s not gonna effect anything.” And once everyone adopted that mindset our entire environment became full of trash. What difference does it make if I throw my McDonald’s cup in the trash or on the ground?
Good point.
I think what has made bass fishing as good as it is to this point in most parts of the country is the strong catch and release ethic that is practiced amongst fish of all size. I rarely see anyone keep bass where I am. Maybe this is because people target other species instead to harvest but I think generally people are not targeting them to harvest them. If people started harvesting them here like they do walleyes, panfish, trout, etc, our bass population would go south quickly because it takes them a long time to grow up here in colder northern waters.
MickD reply :
On 2/12/2020 at 12:17 AM, WRB said:Replica molds are made using a real bass so 1 dead bass that size was used.
I thought the replicas did not require a real fish to be brought in as a "model" except for maybe the first one. EVERY replica requires a fish? If so, doesn't make any difference, does it. I just looked at the sites for fish taxidermy from fiberglass mounts that say
"painted to your photo," and none mentions requiring anything more than the photo. Are you sure?
Jrob78 reply :
On 2/12/2020 at 10:06 PM, MickD said:I thought the replicas did not require a real fish to be brought in as a "model" except for maybe the first one. EVERY replica requires a fish? If so, doesn't make any difference, does it. I just looked at the sites for fish taxidermy from fiberglass mounts that say
"painted to your photo," and none mentions requiring anything more than the photo. Are you sure?
I think he's talking about the first one, the one the "base" is modeled after. It's a pretty poor argument.
OP, I admire your passion for this topic but I feel like you're barking up the wrong tree.
Grim_Reaver reply :
Harvest of large individuals can be a problem if done at a large scale, but many fishermen choose to release larger fish. Laws are often ineffective due to the will of the people. Those who choose not to abide often get away. Education is a much better approach at changing a cultural practice. If you truly want it to stop, inform them about why leaving larger individuals in the system are important and encourage them to keep the smaller individuals. Again, you can't change everyone's opinion but then again laws won't either.
slonezp reply :
If we're going to talk about devastation to a fishery, why not talk about pollution Asian carp or invasive birds like cormorants and pelicans which will do more damage than any human could.
the reel ess reply :
This is less of an issue now than it has ever been in the history of modern bass fishing. I was raised by an old school fisherman who though if you didn't clean and eat the fish, you didn't really catch them. Most people today don't need a trophy bass for food. Most people fanatical enough to fish long enough to catch lots of big bass don't keep them. And those are the only people who could do damage to a fishery. One of the reasons I fish instead of hunt is that I can catch that trophy more than once. I'm pretty sure I've caught the fat bass in my avatar twice because that gut is unusually large for my reservoir and they were caught close together. But even if people do kill their trophies, and a few will, there's no law against it. Hell, bass tournaments probably kill more big fish. I don't see a lot of arguments against weigh-ins on this site because it hasn't impacted the sport negatively.
J Francho reply :
On 2/13/2020 at 12:24 AM, the reel ess said:This is less of an issue now than it has ever been in the history of modern bass fishing.
I agree with this statement, but have to pose the counterpoint: why are the huge bass records so old? Some go back (including the WR) more than half a century. </smoke bomb> 
Jrob78 reply :
On 2/13/2020 at 12:24 AM, the reel ess said:This is less of an issue now than it has ever been in the history of modern bass fishing. I was raised by an old school fisherman who though if you didn't clean and eat the fish, you didn't really catch them.
My old man still gets frustrated with me when I throw bass (or any game fish) back. In his mind fishing just for the sport of it is a waste of time and I'm throwing back food. I've told him before that I can go buy catfish filets for $3.99 lb at the grocery store, it doesn't help my cause. ????
The flip side is my state takes very good care of our fisheries and has an aggressive stocking program. I have no problem keeping fish to eat, I just don't do it myself very often, unless I'm with my dad.
jbsoonerfan reply :
On 2/13/2020 at 12:28 AM, J Francho said:I agree with this statement, but have to pose the counterpoint: why are the huge bass records so old? Some go back (including the WR) more than half a century. </smoke bomb>
Nah, the WR was caught in 2009
J Francho reply :
On 2/13/2020 at 12:31 AM, jbsoonerfan said:Nah, the WR was caught in 2009
In a catch and kill by law lake. 
gimruis reply :
On 2/13/2020 at 12:00 AM, slonezp said:If we're going to talk about devastation to a fishery, why not talk about pollution Asian carp or invasive birds like cormorants and pelicans which will do more damage than any human could.
Asian carp and pollution were caused by humans so those points are completely moot. The human race is generally responsible for the most of the serious problems on this planet.
geo g reply :
Don’t get too excited, the number of people taking fish for skins is very small. First you have to catch it, then you have to take care of it, then you need a quality tax, then big fish don’t taste good compared to a nice 2 pounder, then most are already sold on catch and release of big fish. The quality of artificial trophies are very good these days. The numbers effected are very small.
the reel ess reply :
On 2/13/2020 at 12:28 AM, J Francho said:I agree with this statement, but have to pose the counterpoint: why are the huge bass records so old? Some go back (including the WR) more than half a century. </smoke bomb>
Could be that people cheated and got away with it.
On 2/13/2020 at 12:28 AM, Jrob78 said:My old man still gets frustrated with me when I throw bass (or any game fish) back. In his mind fishing just for the sport of it is a waste of time and I'm throwing back food. I've told him before that I can go buy catfish filets for $3.99 lb at the grocery store, it doesn't help my cause. ????
The flip side is my state takes very good care of our fisheries and has an aggressive stocking program. I have no problem keeping fish to eat, I just don't do it myself very often, unless I'm with my dad.
We had a builder remodeling our house that filled about 8 deer tags this year. He kept bringing me summer sausages and those meat and cheese sticks without being asked. I was going fishing from time to time and he kept asking why I didn't keep and eat the fish, even the big ones. So last time I went to my buddy's pond full o' dinks I kept 8 and gave them to him. It's just a totally different mentality to me. But i wasn't always this way. And I, too, will keep a few every now and then, especially crappie. I just don't want to fill the freezer anymore. My family doesn't like freshwater fish very much.
jimmyjoe reply :
On 2/13/2020 at 12:36 AM, gimruis said:The human race is generally responsible for the most of the serious problems on this planet.
There are no "serious problems" on this planet.
None.
None whatsoever.
This planet is an ecosystem in a constant state of adaptation to changing conditions. The way I see it, that's been true for millions and millions of years. As old as I am, I have to admit that I wasn't around back then.
The only "serious problem" we have is that many people want the adaptation to stop at some certain specific point, to reinforce their value system.
Nature doesn't work like that. Nature doesn't give a hoot about your value system. In terms of Nature, people are no more important than fire ants, starlings, foxes or trophy-size bass.
Many people don't want to recognize that. It hurts their ego. jj
TnRiver46 reply :
On 2/13/2020 at 12:00 AM, slonezp said:If we're going to talk about devastation to a fishery, why not talk about pollution Asian carp or invasive birds like cormorants and pelicans which will do more damage than any human could.
Quit making sense
Boomstick reply :
On 2/12/2020 at 1:32 AM, 12poundbass said:I’m sorry but that’s horrible compared to the real fish. Had the painter (I call him that because a true artist would have done a much better job) matched the lines and detail you’d probably be happy with it. It looks like he just did what he wanted and what he ‘thought’ looked good, instead of matching your pictures.
Sorry you got the shaft.
I have seen many replica mounts that look pretty convincing, so I have to agree with this.
That said, I doubt skin mounts are a leading factor contributing to the deaths of many large bass. Some people catch a 8 pounder and take it home and eat it. Others leave them out of the water for way too long.
TnRiver46 reply :
On 2/13/2020 at 12:36 AM, gimruis said:
Asian carp and pollution were caused by humans so those points are completely moot. The human race is generally responsible for the most of the serious problems on this planet.
Dinosaurs were hunted to extinction with 30/06? Humans are a tiny pixel on a big screen
NittyGrittyBoy reply :
On 2/13/2020 at 12:31 AM, jbsoonerfan said:Nah, the WR was caught in 2009
I hate to be the one bro, but Ga still has it.
(Balloon busting)
I keep bass ranging around 1lb to 2lb. It's good for most fisheries and I only do it probably 1 out of every 5 trips. Again, bass are a renewable resource and if you dont manage effectively you wont catch Large ones very long.
Also I remember about 2 yrs ago I was fishing a pond in early spring, it was so windy it was miserable but we were catching fish off points throwing sqaurebills. Well I hook into a grown un, get her landed and realize she completely gilled that crankbait. So I felt bad about putting her back to die, so only thing reasonable was to fry her. She weighed just over 9, not my pb so no need for a trophy. But fried fish and fried roe fed a bunch of folks. Throwing her back to die would've fed other fish/birds down throughout ecosystem. So just be smart about it.
Choporoz reply :
On 2/13/2020 at 1:28 AM, TnRiver46 said:Dinosaurs were hunted to extinction with 30/06? Humans are a tiny pixel on a big screen
Ray Bradbury would be so proud....or confused
MickD reply :
To me the difference between a skin mount and a fiberglass one is all in the skill of the taxidermist. I know of two real skin mounts with friends that look like plastic fish. I believe all mounts are painted, even the real skin mounts. So why does anyone need the real fish?
Where I often fish for smallies we take fish regularly from 4 to over 6 pounds. All of these fish are considered trophies worthy of mounting to most anglers I know. I have had 5 different friends take their personal best in the last 3 years from my boat. All catch and release, never a whimper from my friends. That fishery has a strong catch and release "ethic," I am glad to report. I think if it did not the fishing for big fish would go downhill very rapidly. On a national scale, mounting may not be a big issue, but I submit it can be in some local areas.
WRB reply :
On 2/12/2020 at 10:06 PM, MickD said:I thought the replicas did not require a real fish to be brought in as a "model" except for maybe the first one. EVERY replica requires a fish? If so, doesn't make any difference, does it. I just looked at the sites for fish taxidermy from fiberglass mounts that say
"painted to your photo," and none mentions requiring anything more than the photo. Are you sure?
Only 1 bass the length and girth is needed to make a mold for that size bass, that mold is then used for every replica that is "similar" in length and girth. Most LMB mounts from a regional area are very "similar" regarding weight having the same length, few angles measure girth and that is why a good taxidermist wants a photo to match the bass size and coloration. Most replica's are between 24" to 26" long, a few bass up to 28", each inch requires a bass to make a mold from. Molds are made left or right sides, wide open mouth, normally open and closed mouth, bass moving up, turning, down or plain side profiles, etc. It takes several bass to have enough molds to satisfy multiple anglers.
Skin mounts don't use the whole bass, only the skin and head, tail and fins may be used if in good condition but usually reconstructed. The cured skin is stretched over a form to replicate the body, glass eyes and fins are added. The grey colorless skin is then painted.
Tom
Catt reply :
69 yrs old with 3 dozen double digits & to many to count between 6-10#...not a single one mounted or a replica.
They're all memories for myself & those with me.
When we're dead and gone you think anyone else will care?
TnRiver46 reply :
On 2/13/2020 at 2:13 AM, Catt said:69 yrs old with 3 dozen double digits & to many to count between 6-10#...not a single one mounted or a replica.
They're all memories for myself & those with me.
When we're dead and gone you think anyone else will care?
My buddy has his dead and gone grandpa's skin mount of a big walleye from Wisconsin hanging in his home bar. It's one of his most prized family heirlooms so I would say the answer to your question in some cases is yes
gimruis reply :
On 2/13/2020 at 1:28 AM, TnRiver46 said:Dinosaurs were hunted to extinction with 30/06? Humans are a tiny pixel on a big screen
I was only trying to make a point. Fact is that pollution and the introduction of asian carp is not a natural phenomenon. Obviously no one was out hunting velociraptors with a rifle during the jurassic era.
J Francho reply :
None of this thread references natural phenomena. I'm lost.
Boomstick reply :
On 2/13/2020 at 2:27 AM, J Francho said:None of this thread references natural phenomena. I'm lost.
The new thing people are worried about is coronavirus...
Choporoz reply :
On 2/13/2020 at 2:13 AM, Catt said:69 yrs old with 3 dozen double digits & to many to count between 6-10#...not a single one mounted or a replica.
They're all memories for myself & those with me.
When we're dead and gone you think anyone else will care?
On 2/13/2020 at 2:19 AM, TnRiver46 said:My buddy has his dead and gone grandpa's skin mount of a big walleye from Wisconsin hanging in his home bar. It's one of his most prized family heirlooms so I would say the answer to your question in some cases is yes
Same here....my grandfather's 17.5# northern pike skin mount was one of the more fought over inheritance piecies
TnRiver46 reply :
On 2/13/2020 at 2:24 AM, gimruis said:
I was only trying to make a point. Fact is that pollution and the introduction of asian carp is not a natural phenomenon. Obviously no one was out hunting velociraptors with a rifle during the jurassic era.
No worries I was also only trying to make a point. I don't think all serious problems are caused by humans, let's not flatter ourselves. I'm sure the million year old fish get a kick out of humans worrying about them , they were here before us and will be here when we are gone
NYWayfarer reply :
Like others in this thread I would rather have a picture than a skin mount or a replica.
I remember in the years before cellphone cameras I used to carry a disposable camera in a ziplock baggie in my Plano tackle box. When it was full I would have it developed.
slonezp reply :
On 2/13/2020 at 12:36 AM, gimruis said:
Asian carp and pollution were caused by humans so those points are completely moot. The human race is generally responsible for the most of the serious problems on this planet.
I will agree to disagree. While human influence is responsible for some problems with the planet, the earth goes thru it's own cycles and there is nothing you or I can do to save the planet as it will eventually go through another ice age or extreme period of heat and all intelligent life will perish and be reborn from a single cell.
TnRiver46 reply :
On 2/13/2020 at 3:03 AM, slonezp said:I will agree to disagree. While human influence is responsible for some problems with the planet, the earth goes thru it's own cycles and there is nothing you or I can do to save the planet as it will eventually go through another ice age or extreme period of heat and all intelligent life will perish and be reborn from a single cell.
It's all written in the very back of a thick book. #1 best seller of all time
MN Fisher reply :
On 2/13/2020 at 3:03 AM, slonezp said:I will agree to disagree. While human influence is responsible for some problems with the planet, the earth goes thru it's own cycles and there is nothing you or I can do to save the planet as it will eventually go through another ice age or extreme period of heat and all intelligent life will perish and be reborn from a single cell.
Life adapts - that's part of evolution. If that adaptation means going back to the beginning and starting over...oh well.
On 2/13/2020 at 3:05 AM, TnRiver46 said:It's all written in the very back of a thick book. #1 best seller of all time
One version of how it worked...I look elsewhere for explanations.
TnRiver46 reply :
On 2/13/2020 at 3:17 AM, MN Fisher said:Life adapts - that's part of evolution. If that adaptation means going back to the beginning and starting over...oh well.
One version of how it worked...I look elsewhere for explanations.
Yes I recall reading that here. I've got no qualms with that, to each his own. The beauty of America
J Francho reply :
On 2/13/2020 at 3:05 AM, TnRiver46 said:It's all written in the very back of a thick book. #1 best seller of all time
War and Peace. The working title of this book was originally, War, What is it Good For?
A-Jay reply :
On 2/13/2020 at 12:36 AM, gimruis said:
Asian carp and pollution were caused by humans so those points are completely moot. The human race is generally responsible for the most of the serious problems on this planet.
On 2/13/2020 at 3:03 AM, slonezp said:I will agree to disagree. While human influence is responsible for some problems with the planet, the earth goes thru it's own cycles and there is nothing you or I can do to save the planet as it will eventually go through another ice age or extreme period of heat and all intelligent life will perish and be reborn from a single cell.
"Most of the serious problems" are only a problems for humans - not the planet.
There's a decent chance that 'Humans' have an exaggerated opinion as to their 'importance' to the entire planet's well being. Mother earth will tolerate whatever's going on for some time,
and then shake us off and snuff us out like the bugs we are.
And there's nothing we can do about.
Either way - I hope to enjoy my ever so brief stay.
#weareinsignificant
A-Jay
jbsoonerfan reply :
On 2/13/2020 at 3:33 AM, J Francho said:War and Peace. The working title of this book was originally, War, What is it Good For?
And then Edwin Starr (sp?) made a song about it.
TnRiver46 reply :
On 2/13/2020 at 3:33 AM, J Francho said:War and Peace. The working title of this book was originally, War, What is it Good For?
Nope not that one.........
J Francho reply :
Know your Seinfeld.
schplurg reply :
On 2/12/2020 at 9:55 AM, Mobasser said:Lots of folks, even very avid fisherman, fish for years before they catch a bass that's big enough to be mounted. Of course their proud of this fish, and the time spent in catching it. We all know the big bass don't always come easy. If someone wants to skin mount a trophy bass, so be it. I don't know the percentage, but would imagine these are a small percentage of the bass caught in an average season. I see no harm in it.
Exactly, that's why I would never keep one. One reason anyways. There are a limited supply of trophy sized bass at any given time, and they are the ones kept. Nobody mounts the dinks.
As far as mounting and displaying dead animals in general, well.....
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/ab/92/8d/ab928d5cc4bf095a4b56f2150245c0df.png
scaleface reply :
Only speculation but in most fisheries I suspect more mature bass die of natural causes than too trophy hunters . Maybe not in the ponds the OP is referring to .
TnRiver46 reply :
On 2/13/2020 at 3:59 AM, scaleface said:Only speculation but in most fisheries I suspect more mature bass die of natural causes than too trophy hunters . Maybe not in the ponds the OP is referring to .
The difference? Nobody sees the ones that die naturally. Out of sight out of mind. I bet largemouth bass kill one hundred times more largemouth bass than humans in every scenario. They literally eat their own babies
collinfiske_RFC reply :
Been following this one from the beginning. Thanks for the adventure guys lol.
MN Fisher reply :
On 2/13/2020 at 4:37 AM, TnRiver46 said:They literally eat their own babies
Which is why a number of Rapala series (DT, Shad, Rattlin', etc) have 'Baby Bass' as a color selection.
Jake Coucoules reply :
On 2/13/2020 at 12:00 AM, slonezp said:If we're going to talk about devastation to a fishery, why not talk about pollution Asian carp or invasive birds like cormorants and pelicans which will do more damage than any human could.
Don’t forget about the Canadian Geese!
TnRiver46 reply :
On 2/13/2020 at 5:30 AM, Jake Coucoules said:Don’t forget about the Canadian Geese!
Believe me, I was thinking about them all day........ two days in a row that’s the only meat I’ve had 
MickD reply :
On 2/13/2020 at 2:13 AM, Catt said:When we're dead and gone you think anyone else will care?
Yes
Columbia Craw reply :
This entire dialogue makes me want to go out and skin mount a zebra mussel.
Catt reply :
Some pretty prideful people round here ????
Proven fact two generations & no one will remember y'all.
Oh they'll look at your skin mount & say that was old so & so...but know who you are not!
NittyGrittyBoy reply :
I so called it. Knew this thread was gonna be hot. 5 pages though? Let's go for 7 ????????
A-Jay reply :
On 2/13/2020 at 7:23 AM, NittyGrittyBoy said:I so called it. Knew this thread was gonna be hot. 5 pages though? Let's go for 7 ????????
It's February.
A-Jay
NittyGrittyBoy reply :
Are yalls lakes still iced? Man it's already hot here ????
slonezp reply :
On 2/13/2020 at 2:55 AM, NYWayfarer said:Like others in this thread I would rather have a picture than a skin mount or a replica.
What a great country we live in that we have a choice.
On 2/13/2020 at 7:30 AM, NittyGrittyBoy said:Are yalls lakes still iced? Man it's already hot here ????
Supposed to get another 6" of snow tonight
A-Jay reply :
On 2/13/2020 at 7:30 AM, NittyGrittyBoy said:Are yalls lakes still iced? Man it's already hot here ????
I'm just as surprised as you are ~
Who knew being 1,100 miles north of south GA
could make it so cold.
????
A-Jay
MN Fisher reply :
On 2/13/2020 at 7:30 AM, NittyGrittyBoy said:Are yalls lakes still iced? Man it's already hot here ????
Short forecast for us
14 below tonight
1 below for the high tomorrow
15 below tomorrow night.
Ya, the lakes still have LOTS of hard water yet.
NittyGrittyBoy reply :
Oh my... all that snow... and ice... and cold.... ????????
A-Jay reply :
On 2/13/2020 at 8:06 AM, NittyGrittyBoy said:Oh my... all that snow... and ice... and cold.... ????????
No doubt, but as long as I keep reminding myself that soon
it should get a little warmer, and the ice & snow will eventually all melt away.
That's when the we reap the rewards . . .
A-Jay
#cabinfeverisstrong
DanielG reply :
Winter really hasn't started yet here in Maine. It's mid February and little 4-6 Inch storms. Some zero weather for a night or two then back up to a balmy 35 during the day. Seriously, 35 this time of year is light jacket and get out weather.
My lake which should be 3-4 feet thick of ice seems to be less. I saw an auger, from my front window, the other day punch through in seconds. Looked like six inches. No more than a foot for sure. Strange...
The National Weather Service predicts winter to extend into March though... there's still hope.
J Francho reply :
I hope I’m remembered for more than a fish. Anyway, let’s get back on topic - if there’s anything left to discuss here…
813basstard reply :
On 2/13/2020 at 7:30 AM, NittyGrittyBoy said:Are yalls lakes still iced? Man it's already hot here ????
It was 89 around here today.
Jumped on the scale after my workout and went from ‘really fat’ to ‘acceptable fat’.
I want none, zero, zip, of what y’all got going up there.
The wife put the A/C on 72 and I plugged in the electrical blanket...
JediAmoeba reply :
How about robotic replicas that look and feel like the real thing? A whole lake of Dotties swimming around... And they will all be fueled by a vegetarian diet so they cant eat all those baby shad, sunfish and other forage fish they would normally consume. We will have lakes of trophy feeder fish swimming around that live forever and grow indefinitely.
slonezp reply :
On 2/13/2020 at 9:38 AM, JediAmoeba said:How about robotic replicas that look and feel like the real thing? A whole lake of Dotties swimming around... And they will all be fueled by a vegetarian diet so they cant eat all those baby shad, sunfish and other forage fish they would normally consume. We will have lakes of trophy feeder fish swimming around that live forever and grow indefinitely.
Already been done
JediAmoeba reply :
On 2/13/2020 at 10:02 AM, slonezp said:Already been done
You are bringing up flashbacks when walking into any store around christmas, 20 years ago. Agggghh
NittyGrittyBoy reply :
So close to 7 pages....
jbsoonerfan reply :
On 2/13/2020 at 10:46 AM, NittyGrittyBoy said:So close to 7 pages....
What if Irene shows up?
slonezp reply :
On 2/13/2020 at 10:49 AM, jbsoonerfan said:What if Irene shows up?
On 2/13/2020 at 10:49 AM, jbsoonerfan said:What if Irene shows up?
There have been no personal attacks. No reason for Irene
NittyGrittyBoy reply :
Irene wont happen, too much good information on this thread ????
scaleface reply :
On 2/13/2020 at 10:02 AM, slonezp said:Already been done
I have one that goes on the trailer hitch ball
Basswhippa reply :
http://marinecreations.homestead.com/testpage.html
Check these replicas out... Especially the largemouth. They look phenomenal . I d.o enjoy a good skin mount. Always have. Always will.
I’m a weirdo but don’t I like looking at fish mounts on eBay. I wish I could hear the tales.
NYWayfarer reply :
On 2/13/2020 at 7:38 AM, slonezp said:What a great country we live in that we have a choice.
I agree.
I should have also stated that if someone wants a skin mount with a legal caught fish I have no problem with that. My own Dad is one of those folks.
Jrob78 reply :
So I wake up this morning and get to work only to find out y'all still don't have them skin mounts banned yet??
Bass Ninja reply :
jbsoonerfan reply :
jbsoonerfan reply :
NittyGrittyBoy reply :
This is HILARIOUS
Hook2Jaw reply :
On 2/13/2020 at 7:30 AM, NittyGrittyBoy said:Are yalls lakes still iced? Man it's already hot here ????
They were on bed today and I caught a 7. 
...oh, wait, are we banning bed fishing as well? HURDUR YEW WEEL DESTERB DE REPERDUCKSHUN.
NittyGrittyBoy reply :
You caught a 7? Ahh lucky. I was bed fishing today too, didnt catch any that big. Just a few good ones for fish tacos tonight.
I actually used zoom ole monsters haha and deadly nedly's
Hook2Jaw reply :
I was on a pretty good private pond. I had a really killer day. I don't think the biggest was on the bed, she absolutely hammered an S-Waver 168. Besides that I caught them on my BOSS Finesse Flip Jigs with YUM Money Craws cut to size. The craws were absolutely deadly on a shakyhead too. The only fish I can guarantee that was on the bed was a buck bass I managed to make hit after half an hour of repositioning, hiding, finally getting behind a dog fennel and snatching his ass onto the bank on the set. He was probably 2.5. His girlfriend is twice his size, at least. Gonna try for her on Saturday.
NittyGrittyBoy reply :
Dem savannah farm ponds!!
S-waver? You drank that kool aid? (Does it work?) ????
I caught several on the ole monster Zoom. Buddy I was fishing with said let's try a ned rig. I was like naw that's for northern waters lol.. He proved to me in 20fow that stinking thing flat caught fish. Zman just gained a customer. I was flat impressed
jbsoonerfan reply :
I'm gonna try to find momma on the bed later and see if I can get her to hammer the ol monster.
JediAmoeba reply :
On 2/14/2020 at 6:40 AM, Hook2Jaw said:They were on bed today and I caught a 7.
...oh, wait, are we banning bed fishing as well? HURDUR YEW WEEL DESTERB DE REPERDUCKSHUN.
It's already illegal in Pa.
NittyGrittyBoy reply :
@jbsoonerfan I got 3 on the Ole monster, and 1 on a magnum lizard w/ 1/2oz pegged tungsten. Water was still a tad cold they haven't moved in all the way. Just the early birds.
But moved out to 20ft drop offs and picked em off like crazy with the ned, I think we used the big TRD? Not sure about the name. It took 5mins for that sucker to sink seemed like!! Good learning new tricks ????
soflabasser reply :
I am amazed this subject went for 7 pages now. Like I said earlier I rather make enlarged photos of the trophy bass I have caught along with photo albums but everyone is free to decide if they want a skin mount, replica, photos, whatever makes them happy as long as it is legal.
MN Fisher reply :
On 2/14/2020 at 10:50 AM, soflabasser said:I am amazed this subject went for 7 pages now. Like I said earlier I rather make enlarged photos of the trophy bass I have caught along with photo albums but everyone is free to decide if they want a skin mount, replica, photos, whatever makes them happy as long as it is legal.
If we allow 'them' to ban one thing about fishing - where will it stop?
TnRiver46 reply :
On 2/14/2020 at 10:50 AM, soflabasser said:I am amazed this subject went for 7 pages now. Like I said earlier I rather make enlarged photos of the trophy bass I have caught along with photo albums but everyone is free to decide if they want a skin mount, replica, photos, whatever makes them happy as long as it is legal.
I believe 7 pages was a personal goal of @NittyGrittyBoy. Congrats! We’ve made it!!
jbsoonerfan reply :
slonezp reply :
On 2/14/2020 at 8:26 AM, NittyGrittyBoy said:You caught a 7? Ahh lucky. I was bed fishing today too, didnt catch any that big. Just a few good ones for fish tacos tonight.
I actually used zoom ole monsters haha and deadly nedly's
Don't use bass for fish tacos. Bluegills are much better. Bass are good for tilling in the garden. They produce big juicy tomatoes.
Hook2Jaw reply :
On 2/14/2020 at 10:26 AM, NittyGrittyBoy said:Dem savannah farm ponds!!
S-waver? You drank that kool aid? (Does it work?) ????
I caught several on the ole monster Zoom. Buddy I was fishing with said let's try a ned rig. I was like naw that's for northern waters lol.. He proved to me in 20fow that stinking thing flat caught fish. Zman just gained a customer. I was flat impressed
Nevils, GA, waaaay back in the woods pond. I wish I had some farm ponds chock full of livestock steroid runoff! As far as the S-Waver koolaid goes, yes. I've caught three fish off of it now and they've all been at least two ponds. My first was a two out of Evans County PFA(I swear there isn't more pressured water). Then I lost a tank right after, she hit right beside me and she was big. That was back in early December. Then today, first a bite, then a nice fish.
The S-Waver works. I've caught more fish on it than a Ned rig! Man, I hate that thing. I bet it would make a hell of a bed bait, though.
On 2/14/2020 at 10:45 AM, JediAmoeba said:It's already illegal in Pa.
Tell them it's just hard bottom.
soflabasser reply :
On 2/14/2020 at 11:06 AM, MN Fisher said:If we allow 'them' to ban one thing about fishing - where will it stop?
I agree with you. We have similar issues in Florida where the state is making saltwater regulations more strict as the years pass. For example the snook population is extremely healthy in South Florida but you can only keep 1 snook between 28-32'' long (on the east coast), during short seasons, and on top of that you need a special snook stamp to harvest one of these fish. There are other saltwater regulations that are more strict than the snook regulations. Fortunately I know how to catch snook and know good places to fish so I tend to catch slot snook but it is much harder to catch a slot snook in season than to catch a snook 33'' or bigger. The West coast of Florida had a ban on keeping snook for a while, so that means people that usually fish for snook on the West coast of Florida had to drive to the East coast if they wanted to keep a snook.
On 2/14/2020 at 11:17 AM, TnRiver46 said:I believe 7 pages was a personal goal of @NittyGrittyBoy. Congrats! We’ve made it!!
Lol
Columbia Craw reply :
Well I gave up on skin mounting a zebra mussel after I cut myself. Actually I might have a replica of my PB made of wood. A veneer mount.
NittyGrittyBoy reply :
Thanks for all the effort team, we pushed, we struggled, but in the end we gained victory.
Hook2Jaw reply :
I don't understand why all of you were so offended.
J Francho reply :
I think that's enough fun for one thread.
related General Bass Fishing Forum topic
previous topic
most viewed General Bass Fishing Forum topic
© 2024 - fishing.qciss.net. All Rights Reserved.