fish mounts

[Jeremy R. Mayo]

I have a feeling this year were going to get a fish worthy of mounting! I myself have never mounted a fish. There is plenty of folks on here that have and that also do taxidermy. How bout some advice on what to do from the catch on. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Jim Gronaw]

Yeah, I see what you mean about the coloration change over time. I also have a 22 inch smallmouth that I caught back in 1986 that actually looks pretty good but it has shrunk and is certainly not the full length that it was when it came out of the water. And when I got it back from the taxidermist it was a little over an inch shorter than when it was caught...yet another vote for the replica route.

[Josh Milczski (Omaha)]

That's your story and you're sticking to it, right Jim? ;) I kid, I kid. 22" smallie...wow. Got a picture?

[Jim Gronaw]

Yes, I found an old pic and will try to upload it. It was the last bass I kept, Nov of 1986. This fish was caught in the Potomac River, near Brunswick, MD. on a jig and pig. Morning temperatures were 18 F.

[Josh Milczski (Omaha)]

Wow. That...is impressive. Very nice. I can't imagine the fight he gave you.

[Jeremy R. Mayo]

Nice fish Jim! They dont make em like that anymore! Im talkin about the fish!

[Jeremy R. Mayo]

Looks like this thread is going pretty good!

[Jeff Soto]

I've been a fish taxidermist since 1970 (I'm dating myself here) and have done both methods, skin mounts and fiberglass reproductions. Both are good, but repros are the only way to go. Though I no longer do taxidermy work, I still have a website where you can see lots of pics of various mounted fish:
www.jeffsfishmounts.com If anyone wants me to suggest a great taxidermist to get a beautiful mount made of a trophy panfish, just send me a message.

[Bruce Condello]

I looked at your website, Jeff. You do good work. Thanks for sharing that.

[Bruce J Miller]

Those are some beautiful mounts!!

[Magnolia Rick]

Now it's down to catching that one great fish. I'm on the hunt. I'll post it to see if everyone think this will be the fish to mount.
Thank everyone, great discussion Jeremy.

[James Feasel]

Research and pick your taxi long before your special catch

[Jeff Soto]

Steve... Fishermen should check out every taxidermist they can find, all across America, not just in the fisherman's area. When I did fish mounts, most of my customers were from out of state. Anglers that are thinking of getting a fish mount done, be it the actual skin mount or a fiberglass replica, should check out Taxidermy.net and look at the state by state listings of websites of the various taxidermists. It is a great website, but to be honest with all the Bluegill fishermen out there, BigBluegill.com's very own member Timothy Overbaugh, does just about the best top quality work out there! And I should know. I've been in the business for almost 40 years.