What size fish would you keep for the wall? (major species)

[matthothand]

I do agree with Dietz and the rest of the crew that replicas last longer and usually are more cost efficient, BUT (here goes) some replicas that I have seen look far too fake and that seems to take away from the memory/experience. I have a replica that I am unhappy with and am thinking of taking to another taxidermist to see what they can do to put some more life in the fish. I think a skin mount would have looked much more realistic. That all being said, I am still a huge enthusiast of CPR and until I find a taxidermist that does replicas that look fresh and unique...

My standards for a wall hanger are:

Walleye - 30 inches

Largemouth - 23 inches

Smallmouth - 23 inches

Muskie - 50 inches

Pike - 40 inches

Crappie - 18 inches (i've fallen 1/4" shy of this one too many times but a couple more trips to URL should hopefully do it)

Bluegill - 11 1/2 inches

Lake Trout - 38 inches

Looper/Steelhead - 32 inches

Brown Trout - 29 inches

I haven't seen many people include trout so I thought I'd throw those in there to represent those of us 'up nort'.

[buzzsaw]

Matthothand, I agree with you 100% regarding the replica thought as well as CPR! I can't tell you how many great fish pictures I have taken over the years and I feel great about doing that. I just don't think I've seen many replica's that don't have a fake look to them and that just is not good enough for me. Either way, I could care less what others choose to do with their "trophies" as it is up to them to decide what they feel is best.

[Ely Lake Expert]

For me I really only want to mount two different species. I am still in search of a 30 plus inch walleye and a 16 plus inch crappie.

Ryan

[fisherking01]

Matt, I like your size structure for a trophy, Myself I'm in the market for a 50 inch laker! Caught a 44 incher on Whitefish bay two years ago and put her back hoping I can catch her again in say 30 years. Then maybe I'll be looking for a 55 incher. I have seen many mounts that are of no real size that are awesome looking compared to some of the big fish mounts. Never have been impressed with the replicas. I would prefer a nice 8 x 10 , much easier to move. Mostly I think to each his own. I have two mounts and they are because of the story behind the fish, let many bigger pike and walleyes go after a photo. Hey, the walleyes are biting in the N.D. rivers! Good luck this spring! Brent

[LocalGuide]

Mine is a pretty easy,

40" - Pike

30" - Eye

23" - Largemouth

Over 21" - Smallie

huge crappie, somewhere over 16"

huge Sunfish, over 10"-11"

I don't think I would mount a muskie, just for cost and other things. If I would, it'd be over 50" and a replica for that one. All the others I mentioned, except maybe smallies, I would go with a skin mount.

The kind of mount that I would really like would be a walleye (or pike) in a coffee table, set-up chasing whatever I caught it on(either live bait or the lure). I just think that would be the coolest!

[BRULEDRIFTER]

i dont like replicas. ive never seen one that i thought looked good. they all look fake, and id rather just show off a picture than pay the money for one.

i have a 30in. walleye on the wall. it was a fluke fish, wonderful memories, and i had it in the water ready to release, but then at the last second i had a flash back to years past when i caught the most beautiful 27in brown trout. i never got a picture of it and i released it, and ever since i wished i would have mounted it. so right before i let the sow walleye go, i pulled it back in the boat, looked at my friend i was with, and said im keeping her. it just so happens that his uncle is a taxidermist and he cut me a sweet deal. so now i got my walleye, and unless its something REALLY special, every walleye over 20in. goes back in the drink.

other than that i may mount a 30+ in brown or steelie if i get a chance. but i think im all about photos, and saving a small fourtune in my book.

[Hoffer]

These posts are fun - I have a 31 inch walleye and a 22 inch smallie. A few of the posts mentioned that they would mount a largemouth only if it were 8 pounds - that is quite a fish. Been fishing Largemouth lots - but have only come close to 6 pounds a couple times. To me a 8 pound Largemouth would be as rare as a 14 pound walleye - unless you were fishing down in the South states. They are all good goals though. I agree with the replicas as well - although the 2 fish I have are real mounts - from now on I am sticking with either pictures or replicas.

[The Grebe]

I think I have this figured out? A Northern 30 pounds....a Walleye 15 pounds....a sunnie 2 1/2 pounds.... a Crappie 3 1/2 pounds and a Muskie 50 pounds....there, these are my goals, now I don't have to worry about spending the dough to have anything mounted, because I don't expect I will be able to attain any of them!

[buzzsaw]

Grebe, I started reading your post thinking my god are his goals set high, then I read on and thought you were funny! I've enjoyed reading this thread, alot of interesting thoughts and opinions.

[river rat316]

For me its also a replica, I dont like the idea of killing a fish thats potentially as old as I am but heres the sizes:

Smallie 22" and over 5 pounds

Largie 23" and over 7 pounds

Walleye 30" and over 10 pounds

Northern 45" and over 25 pounds

Muskie 50" and over 30 pounds

And hopefully that smallie and largie are on my wall after this season!

[Fisher Dave]

I have mounted a few fish of my own.. used to be a taxidermist. These fish are sitting in a PA baitshop as of now.. I didnt wantt hem damaged in the move back to Minnesota.. he has more wall space anyhow.

These are existing fish I have mounted of my own...

54" muskie .. Lake Harriet Fish

31" walleye .. Lake Harriet Fish

42" northern .. Lake Harriet fish

32" Rainbow Trout .. Christmas Lake

Anybody notice these are all Hennepin county fish?

In the future, it would take a really large fish of any species to mount for a trophy..

55"+ Musky

50" Northern

36" Rainbow

17" Crappie

12" Sunfish

However.. I would rather take a picture of a trophy, and make a mount with a couple smaller fish in a natural type setting .. they look much nicer than a whale on the wall... for example.. 2 18" walleyes on a rocky base with driftwood and moss.. in some type of action pose like chasing a couple minnows.

This is just my preference.. I have mounted, and seen so many mounted fish that it takes something unique, or either a monster to really make me appreciate what I'm looking at.

[8-Ball]

Geez- reading all the posts, now I feel guilty about the one and only fish (replica) I have put on the wall. Reason I did it- It was my first Muskie-we were only out about an hour when I caught it. Was 43.5"-was not a skinny 'ski, either. Now, having said that, I will not put another 'ski on the wall unless it is "50+.. My feeling on other fish: 10lb.'eye, 6lb. bass, 15" crappie, 20 lb. northern. ALL replicas, of course. Last much longer, look better, and the best part- the fish is released to the thrill of another fisherperson enjoying the catch of a lifetime.. 8-Ball.