Keeping A Trophy Fish 2024
hookedahawg reply :
Yesterday was a great day for me, I consistsntly caught decent fish all day long, at the end of the day I noticed a very big female tucked up against the bank. I tossed a chatterbait past her and slow rolled it back to me, on the sencond cast she slammed it. I barley got her on the bank, I really could have used a net. After weighing her she was 11.6lbs. My new PB, my buddy was as excited as I was and was adiment about me keeping it, im a strict catch and release angler. My question is, how big would a fish have to be before you would keep it?I've been fishing seriously for about 8 years and have never had a double digit bass. But even so I think I would have felt bad keeping her. Thanks!
GaBankFisher reply :
I think you'd be right either way with a bass that big. I probably would have kept it and suffered some guilt. Or, take photos and measurements and have one of those high-quality replicas made.
AK-Jax86 reply :
I would have taken pictures and a video of the fish got all it measurements and got a replica made of that beast 11.6 pounder! I would have released her as well. But I don't see no shame if someone wanted to keep a fish of that size
hookedahawg reply :
I hear ya, I gotta admit I kinda feel like that was my "once in a lifetime fish". I caught her in a pond that'd only about 2 acres big. So its not like I couldn't do it again.
Fish Chris reply :
Hooked > I personally don't kill "big, trophy sized bass". The bigger it is, the more important it is for me to release it unharmed...
And here's why > Because by killing a huge fish, I will have single handedly reduced my own odds of catching a monster (that same monster) in the future ! Don't think it can happen ??? I have caught, released, and re-caught and released multiple big bass, sometimes a year or two later > with photo proof. And I've done this in huge res. of 20,000 acres or more ! {big bass can be very territorial}
The first time this happened, we thought it was just the most amazing, long-shot thing that could possibly happen ! Then it happed again.... and again.... and again ! Nowadays we don't even trip when we re-catch and re-release a big fish. If you C/R enough big fish, it starts to happen on a regular basis.
Bottom line; If I C/R a big fish, then you catch it, and it becomes your new PB, that's awesome ! Congrats ! Now you can do whatever you want with it. But I'll be honest, my primary reason for releasing that fish was to increase my own odds of catching a big bass in the future, not yours.
IMPO, "well done" replicas, look better / last longer, anyway..... along with a beautiful enlarged photo of the actual fish, hanging right beside it 
Peace,
Fish
PS, I always have to laugh, when some guy hundreds or thousands of miles away from me, catches and keeps a big bass, from some random lake that 99.9% of us will never fish in, then some goofball gets his panties in a knot, over it 
LOL Hey, if that guy wants to "hurt his own odds" of catching big bass in the future, who am I to argue ?
Releasing big bass, is just one of many reasons, that I've caught a bunch of big bass.
Basswhippa reply :
You are in luck. lake fork taxidermy sell a 11.5 they keep on hand for cheap. Just know tournament fisherman kill far more trophy bass than a guy who keeps a pb. It is
looking at floating 5-10 pounder around goose pond at guntersville. weighed in then released... dead. Post spawn tournies kill tons of bass...Don't let anyone tell you they don't.
Basswhippa reply :
Dont be so sure you will catch it again. .. even ib a pond.
hookedahawg reply :
Fish, I agree 100%. I hope someone else has a chance at it one day. I don't hold a grudge if somone was to keep it. I just feel like if I did id be taking a truly special catch out of existence lol. I know it sounds weird I just think around here in small ponds she was a monster, and id feel better knowing she's still out there.
WRB reply :
+1On 6/16/2013 at 12:33 AM, Fish Chris said:Hooked > I personally don't kill "big, trophy sized bass". The bigger it is, the more important it is for me to release it unharmed...
And here's why > Because by killing a huge fish, I will have single handedly reduced my own odds of catching a monster (that same monster) in the future ! Don't think it can happen ??? I have caught, released, and re-caught and released multiple big bass, sometimes a year or two later > with photo proof. And I've done this in huge res. of 20,000 acres or more ! {big bass can be very territorial}
The first time this happened, we thought it was just the most amazing, long-shot thing that could possibly happen ! Then it happed again.... and again.... and again ! Nowadays we don't even trip when we re-catch and re-release a big fish. If you C/R enough big fish, it starts to happen on a regular basis.
Bottom line; If I C/R a big fish, then you catch it, and it becomes your new PB, that's awesome ! Congrats ! Now you can do whatever you want with it. But I'll be honest, my primary reason for releasing that fish was to increase my own odds of catching a big bass in the future, not yours.
IMPO, "well done" replicas, look better / last longer, anyway..... along with a beautiful enlarged photo of the actual fish, hanging right beside it
Peace,
Fish
PS, I always have to laugh, when some guy hundreds or thousands of miles away from me, catches and keeps a big bass, from some random lake that 99.9% of us will never fish in, then some goofball gets his panties in a knot, over it
LOL Hey, if that guy wants to "hurt his own odds" of catching big bass in the future, who am I to argue ?
Releasing big bass, is just one of many reasons, that I've caught a bunch of big bass.
Keep in mind these big bass are fragile in regards to being poorly handled. Try to keep the bass wet, in the water as much as possible between taking photos and measurements, no more than a minute at a time.
The isn't a reason to kill a trophy to enjoy it. The exception would be a record class fish, unfortunately to properly document a record the fish needs to be authenicated beyond doubt.
Congratulations with your first DD bass.
Tom
jignfule reply :
Congrats on a nice fish. I C/R all my PB's and appreciate those that do the same. I really can admire someone who catches a record and returns it safe after weighting it.
AK-Jax86 reply :
On 6/15/2013 at 11:36 PM, hookedahawg said:I hear ya, I gotta admit I kinda feel like that was my "once in a lifetime fish". I caught her in a pond that'd only about 2 acres big. So its not like I couldn't do it again.
Yea that is basically a once in a lifetime fish in waiting on mine lol and there will be a replica of it on my wall!
But if u manage to catch that fish again that would be crazy. It didn't get that big for no reason it will be even more cautious now
pbrussell reply :
Man. I can't even think about being a positive contributor to this thread because all I can think about is catching my own dd bass.
pbrussell reply :
And pleassssseeeee show us pics of that beast.
Felix77 reply :
IMO CPR (catch, photo and release) on Lunkers is the way to go. Take extra pictures and get a replica made from them. Let the big one make other potential big ones.
Oregon Native reply :
Ya dud good. Take a pic and release and get a replica done. Believe memories will be a touch sweeter if ya know she's still swimming. (save the lure too with pic)
More tight lines
Loop_Dad reply :
Good Job, hookedahawg. If you'd kept it, your special memory would had been ruined because you would be feeling guilty. Congrats on PB.
BTW, those of you suggested replica, which companies are good ones? I would like to check them out and know what they need for making one.
slonezp reply :
Trophy is a relative term around the country. While a 6 or 7lb bass up north is considered a trophy, in the south it may be table fare.
Grizzn N Bassin reply :
Big fish equals good genes... IMO let her go get a replica... I have hears they last longer anyway... so you get a nice replica and your not hurting the fishing. For you or for some else.. and hopefully they do the same thing.. read my quote I have under my post you'll under stand. BTW congrats thats nice pic. Photos!!
Bluebasser86 reply :
You are well within your rights to keep a big fish to get a skin mount. With that being said, if I were to catch another DD fish I'd get a couple quick pictures, measurements, and let her go. Then whenever I can save the money up I'll get a replica. A fish that size has beaten incredible odds to reach that size and deserves to live out it's days doing what they're designed to do. Plus, a replica will look better for far longer than a skin mount. I do have one skin mount of a bass that went belly up as soon as I tried to turn her loose. While the guy did a great job on the mount and I've done my best keeping it looking good it's already showing signs of aging after just 10 years.
Mattlures reply :
Yep a lot of good advise, Especaily agree with Fish Chris. The question was how big is big enough? I will let every big fish go except 1. If I was to catch the world record I would keep it. Any lake or state record or new PB gets released without even thinking about keeping it.
roadwarrior reply :
Congratulations!
Fish Chris reply :
On 6/16/2013 at 3:32 PM, Mattlures said:Yep a lot of good advise, Especaily agree with Fish Chris. The question was how big is big enough? I will let every big fish go except 1. If I was to catch the world record I would keep it. Any lake or state record or new PB gets released without even thinking about keeping it.
Thanks Matt.
BTW, I'd try my darndest to keep a WR LMB alive..... but it would likely be donated to a testing tank, somewhere that it could be studied, and possibly used to make a "bunch more" just like it
Fish
WRB reply :
Chris, Matt,
A state record for us will more than likely be a world record to exceed the 22.06 Crupi bass.
I looked into keeping a potential WR bass alive during the 90's when I really thought It was a good possibility.
Contacted the Filmore F & G (hatchery) and had their phone number to call and bring a transport truck to pick up the bass and they agreed to do this! The problem is in CA we can't legally transport a bass away from the lake it was caught and the violation would void the catch...catch 22!
I did a poor job of validating the PB bass and weighing at the Mini Mart or Corner market with Polaroid photos or some bystander photo wasn't a good plan. Today with cell phones it would be easier.
My advice is document your catch properly, you can't do it over after the bass has been released.
Tom
Fish Chris reply :
WRB, true.
BTW, have I asked you before where you got your replica done, for your 19 ? That mount looks fantastic !
Fish
angler1 reply :
Catch and release is the only option for me. When you keep the huge ones, you take their huge genes out of the mix. My pb did not survive after i caught her, not for lack of trying, i tried to resusitate her for probably 30 minutes, she just kept floating up to the surface and going belly up. I was totally frantic that she would not just give me a tail kick and disappear. Long story short, she died and i felt devestated, still feel bad about it to this day.
WRB reply :
Thank you Chris, that is a high praise coming from your skilled eye.On 6/17/2013 at 1:09 AM, Fish Chris said:WRB, true.
BTW, have I asked you before where you got your replica done, for your 19 ? That mount looks fantastic !
Fish
Roberts Trophy Fish Mounts, however Robert Munose moved to Arkansas a few years ago and I don't know what happened to him. I believe he did your mount?
It's been nearly 20 years since I caught and released that bass and I have been prepared ever since with a certified scale, good camera.....no 20+!
Good Luck and enjoy Father's Day.
Tom
hookedahawg reply :
Well that's the kicker of the story, Im a minimalist when it comes to fishing, 1 rod and reel, small Plano in my pocket and and scale in hopes of needing it. I leave my phone locked in my car because I don't get service where I fish anyway. My buddy who was with me is old skool so no camera phone. All I have is his verification to the story and a great memory do that's good enough for me. thanks again guys for the comments and opinions.
hookedahawg reply :
*** let me clarify ***
I have lots of gear, but when its a hike to get to where im going I don't take much.
Derriick reply :
I've thought hard about this and after seeing some awesome replica mounts I don't see any reason of ever killing a fish. I'd rather have peace of mind that I let the fish live to get even bigger and may give someone else the opportunity of a lifetime. Take measurements pictures and get a replica mount made that will outlast any actual mount and look better too.
shimmy reply :
I will say this though, i wonder how many people who advocate for a replica have never had a real skin mount prior. It seems that many people will get that initial skin mount of their fish and then years later only get replicas and state, "i wish i never did the skin mount, replicas are the way to go." I think it is much easier to hold the replica stance once you have enjoyed the skin mount for all those years having no deviation from your big bass on your wall. I figure i willl skin mount my first big one and then replica the rest. I understand that replicas can look just as good, if not better. But it's not always about the look, it's about enjoying your fish, not something with close to very close measurements. I guess my point is best illustrated by someone who has never caught a 4 pounder and then catches one and gets extremely excited and mounts it. Then years later after having caught many 5's and 6's will probably not be as ecstatic when they catch a 4 and will advocate for others who catch a 4 for the first time to release them so they can get bigger to catch later. Getting a skin mount is a unique experience with your own fish skin and all! I figure If you have never done a skin mount, then i think you have more of a right to advocate for the replica stance.
WRB reply :
Really don't want to reopen this can of worms.
If you know how a skin mount is made, it is less like your real bass than the replica mount.
I have 3 skin mounts of fish; 12 lb 4 oz northern strain LMB that died because I over handled it back in '71. A 37 lb musky caught on my father in laws birthday in '76, agian over handled the musky after a party full of people want their picture taken with the fish, couldn't revive it. 10 lb 2 oz rainbow trout when I was 12 years old.
All the skin mounts are top quality professional taxidermy and taken good care of over the years, they don't look very good today. The bass in my avatar is a replica mount, looks as good today as it did in '94 when it was made.
The taxidermist had a 19 lb bass mold, reshaped a little to the dimensions and photo of the bass. Use this mount to represent all my giant bass and simply write the weights and dates on the backside of the mount.
To clean it all you do is wipe if off with a clean damp rag. Can't do that easily with a skin as the moisture affects the skin and paint.
What you may not realize is a skin has very little color after it's pickled and cured, basically gray and must be streched over a manikin to be painted, similar painting process as the replica and that is where the artistry comes in, the skill of the finish painting. Resin doesn't crack, peel, shrink, deteriorate or fade and the scales can't fall out or leak and the fins don't break off after several years.
The replica is just as real as the skin mount, looks great a lot a lot longer and not a constant reminder of the fish you killed to get it made. Today we have a choice, back when my skin mounts were made, I didn't have that choice.
Good luck and hope everyone has the opportunity to make a choice.
Tom
Bangin' Bucketmouths reply :
I may recieve a lot of hate for this, but I personally keep a lot of the bass I catch when ever I go fishing in lakes. The bass I keep however, are usually in the two pound range, and I've never kept one over 4 pounds. Bass are exceptional eating, and taste best before they get large. Their meat becomes more chewy, and can be more hazardous from mercury accumulation. I've caught plenty of large bass, but all were released safely. As for pond fishing, which makes up 90% of my fishing, all of them get released. I'm lucky to live on the Kissimmee lake system, so I know that my 100 2 pounders a year will not have an effect on the population.
Bluebasser86 reply :
On 6/17/2013 at 9:51 AM, Bangin said:I may recieve a lot of hate for this, but I personally keep a lot of the bass I catch when ever I go fishing in lakes. The bass I keep however, are usually in the two pound range, and I've never kept one over 4 pounds. Bass are exceptional eating, and taste best before they get large. Their meat becomes more chewy, and can be more hazardous from mercury accumulation. I've caught plenty of large bass, but all were released safely. As for pond fishing, which makes up 90% of my fishing, all of them get released. I'm lucky to live on the Kissimmee lake system, so I know that my 100 2 pounders a year will not have an effect on the population.
More than likely you're helping the system by cleaning out the smaller fish. I wish I liked to eat fish so I could do the same for some of our overpopulated lakes but bass has got to be one of the nastiest tasting fish I've ever tried IMO. If it don't have teeth and marble eyes it isn't worth eating if it's from freshwater in my book 
Even a lot of the 'eyes I catch get released, much to the dismay of anyone fishing around me.
SirSnookalot reply :
What I do in practice and I what I feel about my rights or anyone else's are 2 different issues. Just about everything I catch get's released, I don't care to eat or mount them. Any fish legally caught by me or anyone else becomes personal property and with it the right to eat, mount or release it. Statements on one's own morality regarding on what should be done with a fish do not supercede the law.
WRB reply :
The ethics of catch and release is appropriate to the topic of trophy bass fishing in regards to trophy size fish.
Bass are very prolific, fast growing and provide both recreation and food as a renewable resource, in general terms. Trophy size fall into a different category of fish as their population is very small, only a few in each waterway and have become the target for most bass anglers to catch as there own personal best. There are a few anglers who fish to fish and catching fish of all sizes has an equal appeal....numbers are as important as size. To those anglers this thread isn't about you.
Dottie, the lake Dizon giant bass was a shinning star amount giant bass attaining superstar status being listed at least 3 times in the top catches of all time; 19.5, 20.8 and 21.7. It was her 4 th and final catch that brought her to the all favorite bass status when she may have risen to the coveted world record status at 25.1 lbs, however she was illegally snagged and never officially weighed before being released the final time before she died. If Dottie was caught at 10 or 12 lbs and killed for a mount, Dottie legacy would not have existed.
Tom
bigbill reply :
The government did a survey on the fish population and how to keep the numbers up so we have a future in catching fish. They said to take the smaller fish to eat so the larger fish can still breed.
My home state finally got the message and now we have slot limits on LMB.
I always released my bigger fish anyway. For a mount all we need is a picture and the measurements.
Broc reply :
Pure catch and release is the way to go.
Hogsticker reply :
A picture is worth a thousand words. You did the right thing - Congrats
Sam reply :
Never.
Would take a photo and have a facsimile made.
I don't have to hang a big bass on the wall to prove I can fish or to stroke my ego.
I believe in catch and release.
Fish Chris reply :
Shimmy > I figure If you have never done a skin mount, then i think you have more of a right to advocate for the replica stance.
I feel just the opposite.
I mean it would be like me sitting here and telling everybody that drugs / alcohol suck a$$, "just because somebody told me so". I've made "plenty" of stupid decisions in my life, so hopefully, a few people will be able to learn from that, without having to make the same stupid decisions, themselves.
I believe a many of the strongest advocates for C/R, have kept a fish or two in the past for skin mounts. But have learned better, since then.
I know I have had two skin mounts done... Gave one away. Had a lot of personal issues over the other one for a long time, but have since gotten over that by accepting the fact of > "Live and learn". Now its just a little dust collecting piece of fish art. Not near so impressive as the replica of my 18.4
Peace,
Fish
shimmy reply :
On 6/19/2013 at 1:29 AM, Fish Chris said:Shimmy > I figure If you have never done a skin mount, then i think you have more of a right to advocate for the replica stance.
I feel just the opposite.
I mean it would be like me sitting here and telling everybody that drugs / alcohol suck ****, "just because somebody told me so". I've made "plenty" of stupid decisions in my life, so hopefully, a few people will be able to learn from that, without having to make the same stupid decisions, themselves.
I believe a many of the strongest advocates for C/R, have kept a fish or two in the past for skin mounts. But have learned better, since then.
I know I have had two skin mounts done... Gave one away. Had a lot of personal issues over the other one for a long time, but have since gotten over that by accepting the fact of > "Live and learn". Now its just a little dust collecting piece of fish art. Not near so impressive as the replica of my 18.4
Peace,
Fish
Well comparing a mount to doing drugs are obviously going to be 100 percent different in comparison. Skin mounts are not a "mistake" nor are they synonymous with a negative connotation as you make them out to be. Yeh, the down side is you keep a fish. However, come on, everything about fishing puts bass in extremely dangerous positions as we yank their faces from their environment, hold them for pictures, stress them out, and most likely lower their longevity, if not kill them from over-handling. Taking a moral stance on it is obviously going to be ridiculous. If people really wanted to ensure that all of their big bass were caught again they would never take the fish out of the net that's still in the water after they caught them, not even for pictures. The issue i was making was people always have 20/20 hindsight when they are older and reflect back on stuff they have done and say, oh, i should never have tried this occupation, or i should have got more of an education, et cetera. However, it's important to note that you did what made you happy at that time. My thing is, i want whatever is the most authentic recreation of my fish, measurements, length, girth, head, skin, and all.
Sam, we talk about fishing and more importantly, catching big fish because it does stroke our ego in a way. I really don't see how getting a mount is any different. It's fun to look at something you have caught.
So here is my main question with replicas to date and maybe WRB can chime in as well. I noticed that you said you had your 19 pounder made from a plaster and had the taxidermist adjust the mold to get the specific measurements of your fish. My question is, how common is that to have a replica made where they can match your measurements perfectly as requested? My other obvious concern is that the mouth could be a completely different size than the replica; thus, for me taking away the individuality once again of the fish. But, maybe i am wrong on this?
Thanks,
Stay classy San Diego
Texfisherman reply :
Like Felix77 and several others, I'm all about CPR.
If you're planning on doing replicas the next time you catch that monster bass.........
Do your research on taxidermists in your area ahead of time!
I got burned on my 8lb, 4oz replica, and that's by someone who is supposed to the "best of the best", according to several hunters I talked to.
Ask questions like how closely can they get molds to match an x-pound bass? Can they get the mouth and flared-out gills to the right size?
How long of a wait before they can even start on it? (I waited 13 months for him to complete it.)
Do they work on a lot of bass replicas each year, or mostly animals? What should you expect to pay for a replica?
If you provide pictures, will they paint it to closely resemble the bass that you caught?
I know the last question seems silly, but after getting home and comparing my replica to all of the pictures that I provided the taxidermist, I'd swear he never even looked at them. It looks like a bass, just not my bass...
Just food for thought.
00 mod reply :
On 6/19/2013 at 3:12 AM, Texfisherman said:Like Felix77 and several others, I'm all about CPR.
If you're planning on doing replicas the next time you catch that monster bass.........
Do your research on taxidermists in your area ahead of time!
I got burned on my 8lb, 4oz replica, and that's by someone who is supposed to the "best of the best", according to several hunters I talked to.
Ask questions like how closely can they get molds to match an x-pound bass? Can they get the mouth and flared-out gills to the right size?
How long of a wait before they can even start on it? (I waited 13 months for him to complete it.)
Do they work on a lot of bass replicas each year, or mostly animals? What should you expect to pay for a replica?
If you provide pictures, will they paint it to closely resemble the bass that you caught?
I know the last question seems silly, but after getting home and comparing my replica to all of the pictures that I provided the taxidermist, I'd swear he never even looked at them. It looks like a bass, just not my bass...
Just food for thought.
I had the same experience on my previous 8lb 9oz. PB. I am currently waiting on my current PB replica right now. I will post pictures of both(fish and mount of both PB's when complete)
Jeff
fishking247 reply :
i will never keep a bass.
WRB reply :
If your bass is very unque in shape you need some a custom replica mold made of your specific bass, this is very rare., but a possibility. In the case of my 19.3 it was 28.5" long with 28" girth. The 19 lb bass mold that existed was 27.5" long, 28" girth. The next mold was a 21 lb bass that was 29"X 28", the difference was in the body section near the tail, so we decided to shorten that area a little, everything else looked identicle. I didn't feel right using the 21lb mold as is and didn't like the shorter 19 lb.
most good fish taxidermist have hundreds of bass molds to chose from between 10 to 15 lbs, every conceivable shape and bass vary very little in that size from each regional area. The average northern strain LMB will be in the body same body shape where the girth is 75% of the length for light bodies, 80% girth to length for medium bodies and 90% the heavier body shapes. True giants approach the 95 to 100% girth to length ratio; if your bass is in the 18 lb+ weight class it has a nearly equal length to girth body shape and very few molds.
For this reason it is important to make length and girth measurement and a good color photo of the bass laying on a tape measure or ruler to help determine what body shape the taxidermist is dealing with if they don't have the fish.
My advice is look at the taxidermists work before making decision where to spend your hard earned $$$ for a good mount.
Tom
2Burd4Dawg4 reply :
Take a few good pics and send her swimmin
Dwight Hottle reply :
shimmy on the subject of measurements & blanks.
I got a replica of my pike from LAX taxidermy. He was one of the original replica taxidermists in the country for pike & muskies. He charged the same amount for skin mounts as replicas trying to advocate for the replica. They have amassed a tremendous inventory of blanks to cover almost all lengths & girths possible. He matched my fishes length & girth exactly. So if you shop around you can find a shop that has your exact measurements for the replica trophy. The first two shops I called did not have what I caught and I would have had to settle for a replica that was not an exact copy. Like Tom mentioned above you can get what you want if you are working with the right taxidermist.
gotarheelz14 reply :
I caught the fish on my avatar at a local pond and released it. If I had to do it over again, I would likely do the same, especially since I am a cheap wretched and don't want to spend the money on having a taxidermist mount it.
If anything, I would probably get a replica made. HOWEVER, if it was the world record bass, I would probably "remove" it from its pond so nobody else could catch it form under me lol! I would donate it like Fish said, to a tank or some place that would give it a good, nice, long life.
I have absolutely zero problem if anyone ever decides to keep their PB and have it mounted. As long as it is within the law, have it my friends!
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