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Taxidermist
#12313357
06/27/17 03:37 PM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 589
JJHunts
OP
Pro Angler
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OP
Pro Angler
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 589 |
TFF,
I'm looking for a good fish taxidermist in the DFW area that still does a good job on real fish. I'm a catch and release guy that prefers replicas. I have caught 5 fish that have been DD's over the years and all were CPR'd. The reason I ask this question is I caught a giant fish this weekend in a tourney. The fish was hooked in the side of the mouth at 9:30 AM. I used G-Juice, ice jugs to keep the water at around 73, ran the pumps non stop, and run a late model Phoenix 920XP. Unfortunately the fish died about 30 minutes before weigh in. The fish weighed 8.96 dead, the rules of the tourney do not allow you to weigh a dead fish for BB. We won the tournament by 7lbs with the penalty. The sad thing is we did not need her to win.
I want the fish to atleast go to a good cause and I did not want to eat her while I have cobia, snapper & flounder in my freezer. So if you are a taxidermist or know of one that will do a good skin mount please let me know.
Thanks in advance! JJ
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Re: Taxidermist
[Re: JJHunts]
#12313366
06/27/17 03:43 PM
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Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,617
NickHasty
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,617 |
If u have caught big ones I'd try giving your fish to taxidermist to mold so they can recreate that fish for others who want a replica of the 8 you have. Maybe they'll paint you a replica of one of your dd's in return?
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Re: Taxidermist
[Re: JJHunts]
#12313566
06/27/17 05:57 PM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 589
JJHunts
OP
Pro Angler
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OP
Pro Angler
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 589 |
That might me an idea. Just curious if someone still do skin mounts? Thanks Nick!
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Re: Taxidermist
[Re: NickHasty]
#12313603
06/27/17 06:36 PM
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 451
Hobbs McAvoy
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 451 |
If u have caught big ones I'd try giving your fish to taxidermist to mold so they can recreate that fish for others who want a replica of the 8 you have. Maybe they'll paint you a replica of one of your dd's in return? Good idea. I'm sure some taxidermist that mold their own replicas would like a 9 lber. I bet you could get a free replica out of it possibly.
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Re: Taxidermist
[Re: JJHunts]
#12315921
06/29/17 01:51 AM
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,921
Beltonbanger�
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,921 |
I still do plenty of skin mounts. Fish die, kids catch them and some just keep them. I don't mold, don't have time. I paint by your picture, no cookie cutter fish. Right now I have about a 3 month turn around.....a little longer on big gar.
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Re: Taxidermist
[Re: JJHunts]
#12316009
06/29/17 02:27 AM
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Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 731
toofy
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 731 |
This got me thinking....I have never had a fish or animal mounted. But one day when I catch that huge bass, what do I do next? How do I preserve the fish and what is the time line for getting it to a taxidermist?
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Re: Taxidermist
[Re: toofy]
#12316041
06/29/17 02:55 AM
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Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,501
jbcarroll3000
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,501 |
This got me thinking....I have never had a fish or animal mounted. But one day when I catch that huge bass, what do I do next? How do I preserve the fish and what is the time line for getting it to a taxidermist? I'd recommend taking pictures, getting measurements, releasing the fish and having a replica made. There's little sense in killing a trophy fish for the purpose of a mount these days. The OP is looking into a skin mount because, despite what sounds like proper care, the fish died during a tournament. Otherwise, he would have released it (it sounds like). Replicas last longer and if you go to someone who knows what they're doing, they often look better than a skin mount anyhow.
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Re: Taxidermist
[Re: JJHunts]
#12316047
06/29/17 02:58 AM
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Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 731
toofy
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 731 |
Fascinating. I had no idea these could be made from photos and measurements. I thought they had a way of preserving the fish. I agree I would prefer to release the fish.
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Re: Taxidermist
[Re: jbcarroll3000]
#12316303
06/29/17 12:33 PM
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,921
Beltonbanger�
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,921 |
This got me thinking....I have never had a fish or animal mounted. But one day when I catch that huge bass, what do I do next? How do I preserve the fish and what is the time line for getting it to a taxidermist? I'd recommend taking pictures, getting measurements, releasing the fish and having a replica made. There's little sense in killing a trophy fish for the purpose of a mount these days. The OP is looking into a skin mount because, despite what sounds like proper care, the fish died during a tournament. Otherwise, he would have released it (it sounds like). Replicas last longer and if you go to someone who knows what they're doing, they often look better than a skin mount anyhow. All great points. Most skin mounted bass I do are fish that weren't going to survive or a kid's fish. A few fisherman catch and retain fish for mounting, not many. You're catch and release fish can be photographed and measured, then a blank is purchased by the taxidermist from a company that has molded a real fish with the same measurements as yours. If someone carves an entire fish to your fish's specks......you better have money invested in Trump tower...it is going to be real expensive. The fish still needs to be taken care of properly, even if it expires in the livewell. Getting pictures taken, wrapping and freezing is important. I just had a guy come this month that had a bass in his livewell over night....DEAD and brought it to me to mount. I refused! I've done several DD bass this year that died......I bet those guys explain the situation FIRST before telling other bass guys that they have a skin mount on the wall! I'm taking the rest of this morning off and going fishing. I'll work all weekend. This guy goes home tomorrow and I have plenty more to work on!
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Re: Taxidermist
[Re: jbcarroll3000]
#12316585
06/29/17 02:47 PM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 589
JJHunts
OP
Pro Angler
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OP
Pro Angler
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 589 |
For sure, the fish would have been released and received the best care possible. I have been fishing tournaments for 23 years at age 35. Conservation & fish Care are very important to me. I just want something to be done for a beautiful fish. If you are looking for a trophy take several pics, keep a soft tape measure in the boat, measure length & girth, release.
Thanks guys for all your help!
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Re: Taxidermist
[Re: Beltonbanger�]
#12316600
06/29/17 02:53 PM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 589
JJHunts
OP
Pro Angler
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OP
Pro Angler
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 589 |
Belton Banger-
I will give you a call this afternoon. Thanks and I look forward to talking to you!
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Re: Taxidermist
[Re: JJHunts]
#12316632
06/29/17 03:11 PM
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 184
beastbeason
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 184 |
Check out Vanmar taxidermy in Catoosa Oklahoma. He posted some of his work on FB and it looks incredible. I've just seen pictures and that is it, but it might be worth checking out.
Jim 2006 BassCat Puma
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