Largemouth mounting opinions?

[MDBriggs]

I recently caught a 10lb largemouth out of a farm pond that I was planning on having mounted. I cant decide how I would want him done. I know I want a little more than a bass on a plaque so I was wondering what yall thought looked cool. Pictures would be appreciated.

 

[Diehard Hunter]

Pedestal mount chasing a bluegill with its mouth wide open.

 

[Crow Terminator]

I'd get a fiberglass replica mount vs a skin mount. Skin mounts always look horrible in a few years; they take on a yellowish/brown color. The replica's they will just air brush to match the color/patterns of your fish and it will look better and last a whole lot longer.

 

[SilverFox]

A replica will never look as good or real as a well done skin mount.

With that said I prefer a replica if it's a live fish. If the fish dies on hook set then I prefer a skin mount.

I have a couple mounts done by professional guys that are skin mounts I'll put up against any replica for realistic value. Both these fish died on hook set.

Both my mounts are done on driftwood. I plan on having a scene done with them and a crawfish some time soon. I had them monted opposite of each other for this reason. I just have to find exactly what I'm looking for.

 

[Wells Taxidermy]

I have to disagree on the skin mount vs the repo, a repo will last longer yes no doubt but a properly preserved skin mount will last for years, there are many ways to acheive preservation of a fish skin some are better than others.

 

[WG Taxidermist]

I'd get a fiberglass replica mount vs a skin mount. Skin mounts always look horrible in a few years; they take on a yellowish/brown color. The replica's they will just air brush to match the color/patterns of your fish and it will look better and last a whole lot longer.

The fish turn yellow because the fish hasn't been treated properly and hasn't had enough time to dry before it was airbrushed. A replica makes a nice mount but its nothing like having the actual fish on your wall that is done right!

 

[Mr.Bro]

I have thrown away ,mounts from the 60s and 70s that cracked and turned yellow.Really ugly.

I also have 8lb smallmouth from 1975 that still looks great.

All depends on who and how its mounted.

I guess its to late to "Free the Fighter.'

 

[easy45]

I agree that a skin mount looks more realistic but I just don't like keeping those big bass, that being said diehard hunters suggestion would look great

 

[Crow Terminator]

I agree that it depends on who is doing the work. With all the stencils available for air brushing fish, if you have somebody skilled with an airbrush, it will look awesome. I have seen replica fish that looked like you could put in water and it swim off. And I've seen some that looked like you had handed a 4 year old the air brush and turned them loose. There's some on eBay that look down right scary. It's all in who is doing the work in either case, that will make it look good or like crap.

I suggest looking at the McKenzie and Wasco taxidermy websites or getting their catalog sent to your house....see what forms and mounts are available for your fish. You might be surprised to see that your skin mounts are about 90% fake/replica anyway....fake eyes, gills, fins, etc.

 

[Camp David]

How do they do the replica fish? Do you just order up a 10 pounder?

 

[Wells Taxidermy]

yeah pretty much, I cant think of the whole process of my head but they make a mold an actual fish. this can be different sizes, positions, poses, head up tail down, forward,reverse curve. an "s" curve ect.....

How do they do the replica fish? Do you just order up a 10 pounder?