Graphite Replica

[Somthinklever]

Hey Guys,

A friend of mine wants a high quality graphite mount of his largest muskie (52"). Anyone have a suggestion?

[Walleye Guy]

Artistic Anglers. Nuff said...

[RK]

Artistic Anglers or Fittante in Antigo, WI... Both do fantastic work. Lax has gotten much much better with the MN strain fish over the last few years too.

If you want something really mind-blowing, Advanced Taxidermy in Toronto

[scsavre]

A question. and not to steal the thread, looks like that was answered.

If you take all the measurements of a fish. Say, length, a couple girths, maybe width of the tail spread etc. Does your replica actually reflect that?

So i guess my question is. Do they make a cast or mold for your fish? Or do they just reach into the pile of the 51" blanks or 52", etc. Do they actually personalize it, besides maybe a little paint.

I dont know if anyone would know the answer, just wondering.

Thanks

[10,000 Casts]

I have always liked the detail in Fittante's Muskies. I would reccomend that you and your friend go to the Muskie show in April and talk to the taxidermists that are there. They will have a bunch of fish on display.

[bronzeback]

definitely go to the expo and check out your options. I won't have the money to get a mount done anytime soon in my life, but I saw the most impressive mounts I've ever seen at the expo last year. I don't think you can really go wrong with either LAX or Fittante from what I saw, but definitely check them out in person.

and [pleasebecomeasponsor]- as far as I know they pretty much just kind of grab the blanks according to length/girth. Then they paint them to represent the fish as accurately as possible. I'm sure i'm missing a step in there somewhere, but from what I understand, that's sort of the process.

[porterhouse]

Artistic Anglers did my 51" and did a awesome job. Let me know if you want to see a picture.

Brian

[cjac]

If you want something really mind-blowing, Advanced Taxidermy in Toronto

Wow, you guys should take a look at this site just for the fun of it, it's crazy stuff! I'm pretty sure you'd be the only one in Minnesota with a Peacock bass coffee table.

[leech~~]

Hey Guys,

A friend of mine wants a high quality graphite mount of his largest muskie (52"). Anyone have a suggestion?

Let him know it's going to be about $6-700 bills! That's what I got from a few place for my Laker. But it could be a once in a life time fish!

[Walleye Guy]

The are deals to be had at the Sportshow in April. Generally you can save 2" inch if the order is placed at the show.

[HorseshoeChain]

I have a Fittante replica and would HIGHLY recommend him! It looks like a real fish.

I've seen some Artistic Anglers work that impressed me as well. I'm sure there are others that do quality work too. Like it was said, go to the Expo and check 'em out. It's the best way to make sure your happy in the end... and save some $$.

Tell your friend congrats on a big fish and on releasing it! Replicas are worth the $$. The fish lives, you get one on your wall, and it doesn't crack and rot like a real mount!

[50inchpig]

Horseshoechain - I'd like to talk to you, can you drop me an email at airmarc00 (airmarc zero zero) at yahoo?

[HorseshoeChain]

[pleasebecomeasponsor]- to answer your question, it's a little of each. All you need is a length, one girth, and a picture. They can even guess-timate the girth.

They have a stock of molds that they start with, so it's not EXACTLY your fish, but the good ones have many forms in each size. These allow for variations in individual fish body shapes etc. So, if your fish had big belly and a skinny tail, or a big tail, or whatever, they can come up with something similar. The heads are separate in the beginning so they can use different heads with diff bodies to match your fish.

Then, the good ones paint it to look like your fish-every fish looks different.

[thrax]

My brother got a 54.5 done by Fittante, its absolutely beautiful and he went out of his way for some extra display stuff to go along with it. My brother speaks very highly of his communication with him also, sounds like he was genuinely a nice guy. I'm throwing a vote his way. Still debating on getting a 53 done, but no way, he's a younger brother and I'm just not going to let him say "why'd you get such a puny one done" lol.

[Muskiefool]

What RK said, Advanced is pretty much doing real fish.

Joe is very very good and a great friend to MI and the fish.

[scsavre]

Thanks Horse and Bronze, I am glad they try to personalize it as much as they can. Its a lot of money and emotion involved when you catch your dream musky. You want it to look as much like your fish as it can. At least the fish will still be swimming.

I will have to check them out at the next show.

[hunter991]

Let me suggest LAX in conover WI.. they are fantastic and more reasonable than the others.