I agree with Coach... that's a damn fine looking mount Chris. I like their work.

Chris,

Thank You and that looks great!!!

Thanks guys but they deserve the credit. When it came in the mail, I was absolutely shocked. It's why any time I see anyone ask this question I try to help. Of course if I ever get lucky enough to catch another DD then I am probably just going to cause a longer delivery time if more people start using them. hahahaha

Some times people forget that these taxidermist, especially the good ones that are fish guys, are artist. They aren't designed to kick these things out in a month or even 2. That's what I didn't like about my first 2. They looked very similar despite looking nothing alike in real life. My 8.57 actually looks much larger than my 9.93 because the 8.57 was 26" long and the 9.93 was only 24.25. That's what made me ask around.

Ken A on here also had these guys do his 15# he caught at Camelot Bell.

I had the same guy in Waco do my replica mount. He did a great job for me. It took 5-6 months. Only concern is I don't see his website anymore.

Bryan at Anglers Choice did a replica for me, and I was extremely pleased with his work, the replica looks like the fish I caught and I get to relive catching her each day when I look at her on my office wall!!

I believe fish scale taxidermy went out of business not long ago.

I actually decided to call Kevin when I noticed yesterday his website was down. Turns out that one guy that went to every internet forum in the world over his $163, essentially made them stop doing replicas. Kevin told me that they spent so much time dealing with the internet bashing that it took all of the fun out of what they did. So, they are in the process of closing out all orders on the books and are then shutting things down. He's moving on to airbrushing custom motor cycles. Very very sad, but I will still commission him to my next fish over the 10.59 I have now if I am lucky enough to catch one.

I told the OP to call him anyway and see if he would do his.

To bad he is closing. Those two mounts on here look ten times better than any others I have seen. I caught a fish I've been wanting to get a replica of but haven't been very impressed with the work I've been seeing out there.

DO NOT GO WITH FISH SCALE TAXIDERMY. They are crooked and will screw you over. It happened to me and many others. I will voice my opinion to help others out. Just look at all the reviews online.

I had Bryan Russell at Angler's Choise Fish Mounts do mine. Awesome job!

It's mind boggling to me the lead-times for a painted piece of fiberglass are 12-18 months in a lot of cases. I talked to one guy and he said there's 4-6 hours of actual labor in one of these things. (I freely acknowledge that's only one data point) Of course the entire process takes several days due to repeated/required dry times etc... In any case it's not like there's 40 hours per fish. Do the rules of capitalism not apply to taxidermy work? As much as it would pain me, you'd think guys would raise price and offer a reasonable lead-time. When I check last spring I could not find anyone with a lead-time of less than a year.

Does anyone have any insight to offer?

Hope to add some insight. Your in the ball park about actual labor for a LM Bass replica. Brian molds many of his own fish. Add mold time.
The folks that sell the best quality replicas have waiting lists and timelines. If I ordered from Lake Country Replicas(as an example), I've waited 3 months or so. Also....all I do is fish, if you employ a taxidermist that does deer, birds, etc.....well guess what you are waiting on?
As far as price, replicas(even generic as I call them) are not cheap. Here is one of the leading taxidermy supply houses. No secrets on price and add shipping(substantial).
http://www.mckenziesp.com/?utm_source=ta...e_epplyearliner

I don't know of any six figure income taxidermists. Many have other jobs and do this on the side.
If any one has questions, on anything, feel free to PM, call or email me. I iI

I'll give my .02 worth.
As Beltonbanger said I mold all of my own fish start to finish. I have made 2,000 molds and done over 7,500 fish in my career. A majority of my fish are custom 1 off projects where I mold the persons actual fish, this not only takes time it requires a skillset not had by many.
Couple this with casting the actual fish , then assembling, prepping, priming, chasing pinholes and imperfections, base coating, applying 3-4 layers of pigment on each and every scale, then re detailing it, then final scale work! This is the process for 1 FISH!
Couple that with dozens and dozens to be done in the order received.
My delivery times are at 6 months or less now. My normal time is 3-4 months(which I will be back to soon)
Behind from getting clobbered by a monster hurricane.
I would be slightly offended by Jpudues statement if it applied, but like he said it was one data point.
The fish replica company previously mentioned in this thread from what I can tell anyway bought "blanks" From Mckenzie Taxidermy supply (like most other "artists") Then laid down a rather generic paint job void of intricate detail. I'm not downing that way of doing it, just not my style. 4-6 hours on a generic paint job would be generous! I could do that type paint in an hour. quick math 6 hours x $50/hr (inclusive labor) is $300 plus cost of blank your over $500 already without misc supplies and shipping cost of supplies.
Just trying to educate here not denigrate.