Whats the best way to handle a trophy from the ice to Taxidermy

[maros91]

Say I catch a huge crappie or walleye or whatever and want it mounted. Whats the best way to handle it so the taxidermist gets it in great shape. Say I just pulled a monster walleye up through the hole, whats my next step? I have heared to wrap a fish up in a wet towel and freeze it till you get to the taxi. True or not? Any other ways?

[EyeSkater]

Carry a camera and photograph it immediately. Measure length and girth...record. Carry an old towel; wet it and wrap the fish, then allow to freeze.

Do not allow the fish to flop or thrash.

Do not use newspaper directly against the fish.

Do not gaff.

'Eye-Skater

[Antler_Creek_Taxidermy]

Wet towles work great as long as the fish is also double wrapped in plastic bags, when its in the freezer. The biggest thing you have to do is make sure the fins are "slicked" against the body when it is frozen and the fish is frozen flat. You should be very carefull not to break any fins. Fins can be easily repaired or artifical fins can be used if they do become damaged(so its not the end of the world if the fins do break). I like using a "vacume sealing" machine for panfish, it works great for the smaller fish.

[Cheeser]

In addition to the wet towel and double plastic bag, I carry a couple of old nylon stockings and some cardboard pieces that are white and shiny - not the brown stuff. I put a piece of cardboard on each side of the tail and tape it together to protect it. The nylon is cut to size and slid over the fish (head first) to keep the fins slicked to the body. Since it's nylon it won't absorb any moisture.

--Mark

[IcePro]

1. Take measurement of length

2. Take measurement of girth

3. Take photo's

4. Release the fish / Practice CPR

5. Have a reputable taxidermist do a replica mount.

[AWH]

If I ever get lucky enough to have that happen, I'm going to do exactly as IcePro suggested. Replicas are the way of the future and there are some taxidermists out there that do amazing work. Makes them look more real than the real thing, believe it or not. And they'll last for the rest of your life. Not only that, but now I don't have to worry about "what to do" with the fish. Back down the hole and keep on fishing. Maybe get another one while they're down there!

Aaron

[otis]

One other thing to do is get some Mule Team borax. It is available at almost any retail store that sell groceries or cleaning supplies. You should pour this stuff all over the fish and in the gills. This stuff helps keep the color of the fish until you get it to the taxi.

[mshs1]

If I Caught a wall hanging fish it would be so beat up from running in circles and screaming it wouldn't look good on the wall. A replica is the way to go--take picture--throw it down the hole-- make a replica(if the little women agrees) and everyone is happy-- I teach my grandson cpr.

[sjburnt]

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