Photos of my replicas..... 2024

Fish Chris reply :

For starters (and I'm sorry to sound like I'm making excuses) but these replicas both look SO much better in real life, than they do in a digital flash photo. Sorry for the glare. But anyway.....

The first one is a replica done by Lake Fork Taxidermy. It was supposed to replicate my 16.5, but it was so much closer of a match to my 15.8 (the fish in my avatar) that that's what I call this one. I think Lk. Fork did a fine job with the paint. Only thing was, they had a very limited selection of really big bass molds to choose from (well.... you know, those little Texas bass ;-) Doh ! Sorry Texas :-)

And this was the replica for my 18.4 which was done by Roberts Fish Mounts from So Cal. Of course he had tons of choices in the 18 lb range. I chose the closed mouth pose because A) it looked more natural, and it looked different than most mounts that you see. Never regretted that decision. Only thing about Roberts Mounts, is that guy is harder to catch than an 18.4 lb'er is in the first place ! After he did this mount, I tried to contact him, to both thank him for the awesome job, plus maybe start another.... like maybe my 30.2 Channel Cat, or a 29 lb Cali Halibut.... but after a dozen more calls, I gave up. Maybe some of you might have better luck. It really kind of sucks, because I believe he is the best taxidermist on the planet, with the best selection of molds..... and "he doesn't charge any more.... maybe even, as much, as places that do half the job" ! I always say he should charge triple what he does (because his work is worth it) then hire a secretary to return customers call.... But whatever.

I just love my replicas :-) .....and fish art in general.

BTW, I do have an old skin mounted 8.9 lb'er right here above my head from the old days..... but it doesn't look near as nice as my replicas. Plus, the really big difference is, when I look at my replicas I think, "Wow ! What a fish that was"...... but when I look at my old skin mount, I think, "Wow ! What a dum-bass I was" (I guess it's okay for me to say this about myself, isn't it ?) Anyway, live and learn. I don't think having a skin mount done in the past, makes me a bad person, does it ? ..... Previously un-informed perhaps. But come on, even back then, I would hold the door open for old ladies :-)

Peace,

Fish

SimonSays reply :

dang those are nice! one day I hope to catch a fish that big =D

great replicas!

New Bass Man reply :

How much do replicas cost?

Fish Chris reply :

of course you don't have to wait for a 15 plus to get a replica :-) Size is relative to so many things anyway. I think a beautifully done 7 or 8 lb replica could make a nice decorative addition to any room.

Oh... and one other thing comes to mind; Some of you might have a hard time convincing the wife that the skin from an actual "skin mount" has been treated.... I promise ! It won't stink ! :-)

But on the other if its just harmless fiberglass......

Peace,

Fish

Low_Budget_Hooker reply :

Very nice Chris. I was lucky to be able to check out Lake Fork taxidermy when we were down tyhere in March. Cool place. Maybe they need to create a bigger bass mold and keep it in storage till you send your next set of photos,lol. They can call it "The Chris Fish",lol.

Any chance you could click a pic of that whole wall?

rocknfish9001 reply :

I plan on getting a replica for my next lunker bass, but i currently have a skin mount. I did this because it was in a farm pond that only i have permission to fish, and it was cheaper than a replica, and i couldnt afford any more. I WILL go with a replica next time, despite the price difference.

Fish Chris reply :

Typically a Largemouth Bass replica of say 8 to 12 lbs, and say 23" to 26" might run $300 to $450.

I think I paid like $350 + ship and handle for my 18.4, with a 29" length (but like I had said, Robert is crazy.... as his work is worth WAY more than what he charges) On the other hand, the size of the replica does not really change (very much anyway) the amount of work required to complete a mount.... therefore, a 6 lb'er might cost you $275 or $300.

Oh BTW, when comparing prices of replicas to skin mounts, you must also factor in the VERY HIGH over night shipping cost of a heavily insulated, frozen solid bass, to the place doing the replica to begin with. An 8lb bass (which might be a 15 lb package) might cost $75, depending on where you live, and where your shipping too. And its not only the cost, but the major hassles too.

Where with a replica, you can send the taxidermist a jpg photo of your fish for free, by e-mail :-)

Oh.... and another thing.... People have sometimes kept and killed a big bass for a mount, simply because they forgot there camera or scale. But the fact is, you don't even have to have a photo for a replica. Most taxidermist can show you several examples, to choose from. It would be nice if you had a length and girth.... or the weight.... but even that can be gotten around. Simply wrap one piece of fishing line around its belly. Then cut. Do another piece for length. Then cut. Measure later. Boom ! You have your length and girth, and can now have a decently accurate replica made, plus be able to make an educated guess at what the fish weighed.

So with this info in mind, now, even if a guy is not properly prepared, with a camera or a scale, he still doesn't "have to kill a big one" if he doesn't want to..... and he can still show that trophy catch off, from his living room wall, for the next 30 years :-)

Peace,

Fish

Chug Bug reply :

Those are really nice

Low_Budget_Hooker reply :

Quote

Any chance you could click a pic of that whole wall?

Fish Chris reply :

what the heck.... come on in :-)

This wall is kind of fun too.

Peace,

Fish

KenDammit28 reply :

lol total child moment..but it looks like the two fish are having a conversation. Ones yelling(I bet its the female!) and the other one(a bored and totally tuned out male) is just sitting there waiting to get a word in!

Vyron reply :

very nice. I c that the tv doesnt have much of a use with such a view next 2 it

cpvenom reply :

! Beautiful!

New Bass Man reply :

Really nice! Thanks for the lesson.

Low_Budget_Hooker reply :

Thanks Chris!!

Looks like one heck of a lunker pic collection.

Troutfisher reply :

I agree with LBH....nice.

Bassassasin12 reply :

look at all those hawgs...

Koikus reply :

WOW WOW WOW is all I can say. Beautiful bass there, Chris!! Hey, I really appreciate the info you gave about getting replicas; thanks so much. My simple brain would never have thought of using fishing line cut to the girth and lengths of the trophy.

KentuckyBass reply :

That is what you call good ART...forget Picasso, I'd rather have a nice 18lb.er anyday

Captain Cali reply :

Simply amazing! 8-)

Lightninrod reply :

STUPENDOUS!!! 8-)

Thanks Chris.

Dan

Fish Chris reply :

I really appreciate all of the kind words. And it's great to see that you guys obviously enjoy "fish art" as much as I do :-)

Again, I just have to reiterate, size is totally relative to so many things ! I think you guys should really consider a 6 lb replica from the North country, a 5 plus Smallie, an 8 lb'er from the Mid West, etc. Heck, if you get a bigger one later, you can always get "another" replica ;-)

Peace,

Fish

stroz reply :

Wow those are some serious fish! nice pics

Stroz

liquidsoap reply :

Those are some sweet replicas, I bet those things hurt the wallet :'(.

K_Mac reply :

Beautiful fish. Both are fine examples of how "real" a good replica can be. Thanks for sharing.

The Dude reply :

That looks just like my wall!

Except I don't have the big fish mounts or pics of me holding dozens of HUGE fish!! ;D

Alpster reply :

Those awesome fish Chris! Thanks for posting the pictures. Gives us amatuers something to shoot for. ;D

Ronnie

Madhouse27 reply :

Chris, good call on the closed mouth style mount. Not only did it come out great but it's kind of different. It definately has a real natural feel to it. Well done.

12533

Photos of my replicas..... 2024

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