Mounting Fish Criteria 2024

Lucky Craft Man reply :

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

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

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

cpvenom reply :

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

Taliesin reply :

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

Having said that...

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

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

RoLo reply :

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

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

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

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

Indiana: 7-lb 4oz

Georgia: 7-lb 2oz

Missouri: 7-lb 2oz

New Jersey: 7-lb 2oz

Arizona: 7-lb 1oz

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

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

The smallmouth bass listed below are not trophies, they are "state records", again they may be outdated but still speak volumes:

6:14 NM

6:12 VT

6:7 IL

6:6 KS

6:6 MT

6:2 SD

6:1 NB

5:12 CO

5:9 ND

5:1 NV

5:1 WY

4:15 DE

4:2 HA

Adult-Class: 2 lb 15

Trophy-Class: 4-3/4 lb 20

Record-Class: 7¼ lb 22.5

World-Class: 10 lb

Roger

George Welcome reply :

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

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

Lucky Craft Man reply :

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

RoLo reply :

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

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

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

Roger

Lucky Craft Man reply :

Quote

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

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

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

Roger

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

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

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

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

Gorgebassman reply :

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

David P reply :

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

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

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

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

Alpster reply :

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

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

Ronnie

RoLo reply :

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

Actually that's a good question.

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

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

1. Measure the Length of the fish

2. Estimate the Weight based on the Length

3. Weigh the fish

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

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

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

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

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

Roger

Cephkiller reply :

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

deadeye32. reply :

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

guest reply :

Criteria for Mounting Fish

They must be a consenting adult. 8-)

guest reply :

Quote

Criteria for Mounting Fish

They must be a consenting adult. 8-)

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

BoroBass reply :

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

armesjr reply :

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

Fish Man reply :

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

just my $.02,

RedneckRiot

mattm reply :

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

boostnut reply :

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

Tpayneful reply :

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

Fish Man reply :

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

linesider7 reply :

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

Hookemdown. reply :

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

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

My criteria would just be my first DD bass

flechero reply :

Quote
i dont get the major drawl to get a fiberglass rather than the real thing ,what makes em so much better :-?

I have always been told that real skin mounts shrink and (no disrespect meant to taxidermists) most do stink and begin to rot in only a few years. I can't remember a single fish mount that is real and over 10 yrs. old that looks good still.

Besides, the cost of a replica is as cheap or cheaper, looks better IMO, and will not rot. All reasons to get a replica and not mount a real fish.

And if none of that works for you... ask Fish Chris how many of the giant Cali fish have been positively ID'd as one previously caught and released. Which gave multiple anglers a fish of a lifetime.

George Welcome reply :

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

It's easy when you are young to possibly be short sighted, for after all, you have only had your sight for a short time. As time passes however you become less dogmatic in your approach to the many facets of life, as you get the chances to observe and learn more and more.

Life is full of mimicry, and many will mimic the words of those more learned, however we that have lived a bit longer and learned a bit more have learned that the only way to conserve what we enjoy is catch and release.

Remember this: the next time you have a bass big enough to eat, or big enough to consider it your personal trophy catch, it is bacause those that caught that fish prior to you put it back. A bass that is three pounds has been caught several times prior to you catching it unless you are fishing somewhere in this world that no one has fished, (not very likely), and a bass that is eight pounds and up has been caught many times. Thank those that came before you because if they didn't practice C&R, you would have nothing in the bass family to catch.

Fish Man reply :

hey flechero, im not sure if its plain luck or a good taxadermist but back in the 80's my grandfather caught a 33 or 35 pound striper had a mount made and its still fine to this day

Taliesin reply :

Quote
I have always been told that real skin mounts shrink and (no disrespect meant to taxidermists) most do stink and begin to rot in only a few years. I can't remember a single fish mount that is real and over 10 yrs. old that looks good still.
Besides, the cost of a replica is as cheap or cheaper, looks better IMO, and will not rot. All reasons to get a replica and not mount a real fish.

I have seen many fish mounts that were made long before replicas became available and they still look pretty good. I can't really say if they shrank though. One exception to this is catfish (and other fish without scales). Mounts of these fish don't last long at all and start to look pretty ugly after less than a year.

The quotes I have seen show replicas being similar in price to a mount. If I don't have to kill the fish for my trophy (and I hate eating fish), why kill it?

For the most part it is personal preference.

327 reply :

You guys will probably hate me for this one.. but..

I was fishing at night about two years ago, one of my first times night fishing. I had a scum frog tied on and was just leisurely walking about the bank (private lake in a subdivision) casting and retrieving. Then it sounded like someone dropped a bowling ball in the water. When I got the fish up to the bank blood was pouring out the gills.. and the fish was gut hooked. It swallowed the hook whole. Since I didn't really expect to catch anything on a green scumfrog at night, I was completely unprepared and didn't have any tools or anything with me. The fish died while I was trying to get the hook out. So I decided to mount the fish and honor it that way. It was only right at 6 pounds though. 6.2 if I remember right.

Needless to say, I always put more preperation into my fishing now.

Taliesin reply :

Quote
You guys will probably hate me for this one.. but..
I was fishing at night about two years ago, one of my first times night fishing. I had a scum frog tied on and was just leisurely walking about the bank (private lake in a subdivision) casting and retrieving. Then it sounded like someone dropped a bowling ball in the water. When I got the fish up to the bank blood was pouring out the gills.. and the fish was gut hooked. It swallowed the hook whole. Since I didn't really expect to catch anything on a green scumfrog at night, I was completely unprepared and didn't have any tools or anything with me. The fish died while I was trying to get the hook out. So I decided to mount the fish and honor it that way. It was only right at 6 pounds though. 6.2 if I remember right.

Needless to say, I always put more preperation into my fishing now.

I don't hate you at all for it. With the fish bleeding that badly, there wasn't much you could do even if you had the tooks with you.

And a 6.2 is probably a mount-worthy fish from those waters.

327 reply :

I tried as hard as I could to save it. I had my entire hand in the mouth of the fish trying to get the lure out. By the time I got it out and put the fish back in, it was just kinda floating around :/ The biggest bass taken out of this particular lake was right at 12 pounds. This 6 is/was the biggest fish we have seen there in about 5 years.

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