How big before you HAVE to keep it and mount it. 2024

32251 reply :

How big would a bass have to be before you would consider it a keeper for a trophy mount?

I have released all the large bass I caught, even up to 10lbs. I would have to say if I ever was lucky enough to get something up in the 12-15lb range, I might be VERY tempted to have it mounted. That size would surely be once in a lifetime for a non pro fisherman.

Any opinions.

fourbizz reply :

35lbs

Ive got that 13, and not only was she released, I will get a bigger one, and Im not a pro.

KYntucky Warmouth reply :

Release them all....just take detailed pictures and measurements for replica

ptomacbass reply :

never, i release all that I catch.

Muddy reply :

Bout this size

Grey Wolf reply :

NEVER.

Man you're stirring the pot with that question.

jjbassjj reply :

the fish in my avatar was a replica mount.(she was released) you just need a couple of detailed pictures and precise measurements. The one mounted was my first citation (8 lbs 8oz.) I just wish i wouldve waited till last may and got my 11 pounder mounted! lol.

I would highly suggest looking into the fiberglass replica mounts. You can remember that trophy forever and you can know that she was released safely.

HopelesslyAddicted reply :

I'm gonna say around 24 lbs then it might have to die

armesjr reply :

If it was state record, then it would be going on my wall.

mattm reply :

Yep....state record.

crappiesisgood reply :

i have been fishing for over 50 years and havent yet caught one big enough to mount on my wall so i cant help with that question

32251 reply :

Quote
NEVER.
Man you're stirring the pot with that question.

Not trying to cause any consternation, just asking at what point the size of the bass would be such that a trophy mount would be warranted and accepted in the sport.

Every one is entitled to an opinion, and the explanations of some will cause the others to rethink their own. Some will change and some will intensify even more.

roadwarrior reply :

Welcome aboard!

Keepers and skin mounts:

Smallmouth: 12 lbs 1 oz

Largemouth: 22 lbs 5 oz

8-)

Red reply :

i would do the replica thing. take some good pics and measurements, and let her go

Grey Wolf reply :

Quote

Quote
NEVER.
Man you're stirring the pot with that question.

Not trying to cause any consternation, just asking at what point the size of the bass would be such that a trophy mount would be warranted and accepted in the sport.

Every one is entitled to an opinion, and the explanations of some will cause the others to rethink their own. Some will change and some will intensify even more.

Just made an obivous statement , never said anybody was not entitled to their own opinion.

Wayne P. reply :

A trophy mount in any species is an individual decision. It might be a 4" bluegill for a kid's first fish, at 5# bass for someone's first big fish, a spike buck for someone's first deer kill. There are no "rules" or "standards" for ones accomplishments.

Joel W reply :

The only time I would ever consider it if I needed to bring the Bass to an official weighing station for what I knew was a state record. Since that's never going to happen, the answer is never. I'll take measurements, and enough pictures for a replica mount. I've seen the work of a master who charges $450 or so. Well worth it. And for that to happen, I'll need to have boated a 10 lb plus LM. or better. And that' I'm hoping to happen before I'm too old to fish any more.

Sam reply :

Never keep a bass.

Take a photo and measurments and get a replica made.

Do not have ego to have any fish mounted to show people who don't care about fishing a large fish.

If they want to see a large fish let them to to an aquarium.

All fish are released back to the water.

J Francho reply :

After seeing Mike's replica smallie, I gotta say that's the way I'd go.

Joel W reply :

john, exactly what I was alluding to. Mike's replica is simply amazing.

BossierBassHunter reply :

15.97lb is the LA state record. if I had my own scale and weighed it and it was over that, I would bring it in for an official weight.

Say whatever you will, but to me, I think getting a state record (or world) is the ultimate achievement in fishing, and if one fish has to die so that I can get my name at the top of that list, then so be it.

Think about it this way: if you get the world record and release the fish, maybe someone will come along and catch the fish when it gets bigger and beats your record. I'm kidding, lol ;D ;D ;D

This fish here, I gut hooked it, it was bleeding bad, and I didn't know if it was going to live, so I gave it to a guy that looked like he could use it. It was probably 5 pounds or so, and I don't feel bad at all.

Flameseeker reply :

Don't know if I could ever mount another one. My wife doesn't like the two twins I have mounted hanging in the livingroom. There really isn't room for another one. Seriously though, I probably will never mount another one. My hearts twice as big as it was some 20 plus years ago.

Castamasta reply :

must be over 12 to mount but i wouldn't keep it id take accurate measurements so i can catch the lunker again!

Jeff C. reply :

1st off I am 100% catch & release.

but,

Wayne P.

is rite on.. everyones trophy is different..

I do feel, if you want to mount a small 1st fish ..

get a replica for it..

also,

the size of a Bass to keep depends on what part of the country

you fish...

northern bass do not get as big...

Jeff

Bankbeater reply :

I'd just take some measurements and a bunch of pics from every angle I could think of and then turn the fish loose. Then if I didn't have the $$$ to have a replica made, I could get one made later on.

SimonSays reply :

I'd keep it if it was state or world record, otherwise if it was citation+ i'd take a pic and get a replica. I don't think I'll ever get a 10+ in VA if I do, replica all the way!

flatbass reply :

In Texas we have the Lone Star Share a Lunker program. If you catch a bass over 13lbs you can donate it to the Texas fishiries dept. and they will use it for breeding, they give you a fiberglass replica plus other prizes. It's not likely to happen, but I carry the number in my wallet just in case.

MattStrykul reply :

I would never have something against somone mounting a fish, but personally I just would not do it. I MIGHT get a replica, but to me a picture is all I need and of course the memory.

flippinbaits reply :

Quote
In Texas we have the Lone Star Share a Lunker program. If you catch a bass over 13lbs you can donate it to the Texas fishiries dept. and they will use it for breeding, they give you a fiberglass replica plus other prizes. It's not likely to happen, but I carry the number in my wallet just in case.

dang, that is pretty cool...wish more states would do that.

im down with the replica and pictures.

fishfordollars reply :

Waiting on a Share-A-Lunker fish(13lbs. +). Free replica mount, otherwise they are all released after weighing.

jeosbo01 reply :

Anybody else ever heard anything about the BPS Trophy fish program they do.

In the master catalog this year they have a page about the aquariums they keep being stocked with locally caught trophy fish...they say that if you donate a LIVE state trophy sized fish to them they will give you a replica mount of it and let it live in their aquariums (not sure how I feel about this...somewhere between catch and release and catch and kill).

I can post the link to the online catalog and the page number if the mods here are ok with it...

simplejoe reply :

I release every fish I caught. That 9 lb 8 oz monster I caught two springs ago I didn't even get a picture of her which I wish now I would of had a camera. I thought about taking her home and getting it mounted but before I talked myself into it I unhooked her and threw her back in with no regrets. The only regret I have is now knowing about replica's she would of looked good hanging on the wall.

Krzkev reply :

I purposly bought a 15 lb digital scale, so if I ever catch a fish that bottoms that scale out, I will have her mounted. Probably never happen to me. So all those ladys are safe unless.....LOL

fishfordollars reply :

Quote
I release every fish I caught. That 9 lb 8 oz monster I caught two springs ago I didn't even get a picture of her which I wish now I would of had a camera. I thought about taking her home and getting it mounted but before I talked myself into it I unhooked her and threw her back in with no regrets. The only regret I have is now knowing about replica's she would of looked good hanging on the wall.

You can still have a mount made without any problems. Most reputable shops can build it for you.

senile1 reply :

I would possibly mount a state record or a world record, but then again, I can't say for sure until I'm in those shoes, which isn't likely. Donating a state or world record to an aquarium and getting a replica mount sounds like a great idea too. For all other fish, it's take a picture and back in the water you go.

natanestaban reply :

IT TAKES AN UNUSUAL FISH TO GROW TO LARGE SIZE. TAKE PICS AND MEASUREMENTS AND RELEASE HER TO KEEP THE GOOD GENITICS IN THE BODY OF WATER OR AT THE VERY LEAST TAKE HER TO A PROGRAM THAT KEEPS THEM FOR BREEDING LIKE THE STATE OF TEXAS SHARE A LUNKER PROGRAM.

ROLL TIDE,

NATE

tyrius. reply :

Pretty sure that I'd keep a state record. Being from IL, I've got no shot at a world record.

Anything over 10 would get a replica mount.

mattm reply :

If I could somehow get the state or world record fish donated to the Sharelunker program alive, and have all the neccesary documentation done so that I realize all the financial benefits of catching it then I would for sure go the replica route. I'm just not sure that is possible.

I'm very skeptical that anyone catching the world record fish would take a pic and release it back to the water. I'm sure some probably would, but I don't think you can say for sure until you are wearing those shoes.

brgbassmaster reply :

picture is all i need.

farmpond1 reply :

In order for any of the fish I catch to weigh anywhere near 10 lbs, they'd have to have a big bag of lead shot rammed down their gullets. A four lb bass is a real lunker for me. But I wouldn't keep/mount anything regardless of size. A picture (or many pictures) is plenty sufficient for me.

Crumb reply :

For a smallie it would have to be around 7-8 pounds, a largemouth (northern strain) would have to be 8-9 pounds. I would also go with the replica.

KU_Bassmaster. reply :

State Record

BassFishingMachine reply :

I don't know if I could bring myself to take an extraordinarily large bass out of the waters I fish to kill and mount it. The reason is because the waters I fish you don't commonly see many large fish, biggest you really see is 5 - 5 1/2lbs, and you don't see them often (maybe 2 a year if I am lucky, and I fish about 5 days a week sometimes 6-7). So when ever I do catch a real quality fish I try to take a few good pictures, and then I release her back into the pond so her genes are spread to the next generation of bass to come in the pond.

I guess If I caught a record bass I'd mount the fish, but I'd have a hard time killing a fish like that. The way I think about it, is if everyone keeps a new record fish, how can we expect to see any giant fish that size in the future? I don't know maybe Im just fanatical, I just have a hard time killing bass. Fluke is another story... : ;D.

UrbanRedneck reply :

I make sure I carry a measuring tape with me at all times, and a scale, and a camera, and backup batteries for all. That way, when I do catch a fish I would like to mount, I have everything I need to get a replica. And once I have photos and measurements I can decide to get a replica at anytime in the future.

Ive caught some good fish but havent mounted any yet, mostly because they werent "pretty enough". I want one of those great big pot bellied ones! Most of my big fish came post-spawn and where box shaped :-[. One over 15 would be nice but I would take a high 13 if it had the right shape. Also, I assume Ill get her on a swimbait and I will have the bait mounted with the fish as well. I always thought that would be super cool.

simplejoe reply :

Quote

Quote
I release every fish I caught. That 9 lb 8 oz monster I caught two springs ago I didn't even get a picture of her which I wish now I would of had a camera. I thought about taking her home and getting it mounted but before I talked myself into it I unhooked her and threw her back in with no regrets. The only regret I have is now knowing about replica's she would of looked good hanging on the wall.

You can still have a mount made without any problems. Most reputable shops can build it for you.

Oh yeah, I didn't think you could with out the proper measurments and photos. I'm going to call Lake Fork taxidermy to see if they can. I heard on here that their one of the best. If I can that's my christmas present to myself

MALTESE FALCON reply :

I would get a replica.

Falcon

BASS fisherman reply :

I would never keep a bass just to mount it. The only way I'd keep a fish of any size whether legal or not is if I was starving to death, had no money, and the only means by which to survive was to eat fish.

In my opinion, you keep and mount the fish to remember the fun it brought you. I would just as soon take a picture, than kill a breeder fish just to please me everytime I look at it.

FR0G reply :

Me being 110% catch and release, I would never keep a bass to mount it. Replicas are soooooo real looking now. Skin mounts don't last nearly as long.

tritz18 reply :

Never

Big Bait Fishing reply :

my opinion is that if your a true bass fisherman , YOU WOULD NEVER KILL A BASS !!!!! much less so you can mount it on the wall , shame on you for even asking a question like that . i would not even think of killing or mounting this 25 lb. monster ......

tyrius. reply :

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my opinion is that if your a true bass fisherman , YOU WOULD NEVER KILL A BASS !!!!!

: : :

Big Bait Fishing reply :

Quote

Quote
my opinion is that if your a true bass fisherman , YOU WOULD NEVER KILL A BASS !!!!!

: : :

is there some thing you find ironic about what i said ???

tyrius. reply :

Quote

Quote

Quote
my opinion is that if your a true bass fisherman , YOU WOULD NEVER KILL A BASS !!!!!

: : :

is there some thing you find ironic about what i said ???

Well, the fact that nearly every single bass fisherman who has fished for any length of time has been responsible for bass dieing. A fish may not have died in your hands or under your fillet knife, but the chances are darn near 100% that you've killed one. Gut hooked, gill hooked, hooked through the eye, broke off and the fish couldn't shake the lure, overstressed it, barotrauma, secondary infection from handling the fish, etc, etc, etc are all reasons why a fish can die after it swims away from you.

Add to that the fact that fisheries management (biologists and the like) recognize the need for selective harvest in managing fisheries and you've also got one solid scientific reason why your opinion is incorrect.

In summary, if your opinion were capable of being true, then there would be no true bass fishermen as that is the only way to guarantee that you have not killed nor will kill a bass.

Crumb reply :

tyrius...well put.

The only thing I can add to that is what do you think of "fake" bass fisherman like....Bill Dance, Bobby Murray, Tom Mann, Roland Martin...I think you get the point. They all at one point kept and killed bass. I know it was a different time, but your statement was very general.

I believe, in some lakes, there is a slot limit for a reason. To better the fishery you have to take some to help the some.

Just my 2 cents.

mase088 reply :

I'd only keep a state record bass, which in most circumstances, would mean the legal world record bass since I'm from Georgia.

Big Bait Fishing reply :

In summary, if your opinion were capable of being true, then there would be no true bass fishermen as that is the only way to guarantee that you have not killed nor will kill a bass.

10482

How big before you HAVE to keep it and mount it. 2024

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