I was working on a fish today and I had to ask myself....If I caught a 10lb.+ black bass......would I mount it? Now green fish anglers frown distain when ever they come in and see a skin mounted bass. I would say 95% of the skin mounted bass I've done are NOT bass anglers specifically. Over � are kid's fish(bravo to mom/dad/gramps/etc.)

But....would you get something like that mounted? I have no figures, but I know MOST of the customers that are bass tourney guys that catch a double digit get a replica done because they are rare among themselves. Just a new question for the group!!!!

Here is a great example of a freezer burnt fish. This bass(10.39lb.s on my cert. scale), in a garbage bag in the freezer for nearly 2 yrs., is in better shape than some I have seen! Notice the fins/tail, dried like a potato chip(they will have to be replaced) and the coloration difference under the gill plate. If you try and open on of those fins/tail...it will just crack.

BTW....this is grandpa's gift to his grandson!




So...once again.....would you get a replica or just toss it back?????

Replica. They are more durable and easier to care for.

Neither...... I mounted a 7 lb one time because I caught it on 4 lb crappie rig. But after 5-6 years, I was so tired of looking at that thing on the wall I gave it away in a garage sale. They are beautiful when you pull them out of the water, just photo and release. Have the photo enlarged if that is what you want to look at everyday. But if you want the bass mounted..... definitely do a replica.

I would never get any kind of replica or anything for a bass (just doesn't interest me). I am not sure what I would do if I caught a 3-4 pound crappie. I will cross that bridge when I get to it LOL.

I may order a 3 lb crappie just on spec,

Mo

This is pretty interesting though. I have two bluegills that I had done in my early 20s. One 1� and another 1� lb. and a bass. I always looked at them. When I got my first house they went in the living room. My father once caught a 1�lb. redear and he wanted to fillet it. I had it mounted for him and it ended up in his work shop/tool room. I since have had many mounts done before I started doing taxi work. Love every one of them.
When I went to New Hampshire to learn fish taxi from one of the best in the world, he told me that only 1% of the folks going to taxi schools ever become successful and only about 5% of the people he taught ever made it. It isn't a gimme. You got it....or you don't. Can't wave a wand on a plumber and make him a sculpture. But I love doing fish and love fishing and love my mounts in the house WAY better than my wife!!!!!!

I see dead fish.........for sale cheap in a garage sale.........after taxidermist posted on "Fishbook" that he loved them WAY better than he loved his wife.

In the 80's I caught a 9.5 and had it mounted by Gary Kelly (I think that's his name) and it still looks great. Replicas are really nice now but I still think the real thing looks better. I don't target bass much anymore but if I caught a much bigger one I would mount it. I'll hit the hornets nest and say I've killed way less than what dies from a tournament and I leave bedding bass alone.

Would.

I have one on the wall behind me that I caught as a kid. It still looks like the day I got it back.

I've caught bigger but let that one go to reproduce in our pond. Got measurements though.


What's the price difference of skin mount vs replica?

This....

Last one I caught I ate it
(JK)

I plan on just holding out until I catch a 13 lb bass and let the sharelunker program pay for my replica.

This. Bill, I hope your hands are still steady if I should be so lucky!