Cost of mounting/taxidermy fish

[The Quadfather]

Has anyone had a fish mounted, i.e. taxidermy etc, and can you give an idea of the price? I know some of the muskie guys have done so, but those are bigger fish than most, and prob. pretty pricey.

[kevinb]

Has anyone had a fish mounted, i.e. taxidermy etc, and can you give an idea of the price? I know some of the muskie guys have done so, but those are bigger fish than most, and prob. pretty pricey.

Most muskie anglers I know,do replicas.Seems like the average range is from $800-$1,000.
I know this doesn't answer your question but just giving you a rough idea for "muskie"

What are you looking to have done?

[VHMLLC]

a guy i vancouver does (bulls eye)taxidermy he charges:
bass all $11.50 per INCH
crappie all $165.00 each
pan fish 155.00 each
driftwood included on all panfish mounts
salmon all 12.50/inch
steelhead 12.50/ inch
sturgeon / inch (ouch)
trout all 11.75/inch
walleye 11.50 / inch
360 521 0720

just happend to have the flyer.

:viking:

[MackPrince]

In 1997 I paid $12 and inch for a 15 lb. mackinaw. Around $450 total.
Some costs are different by species and taxidermists, I've seen recent rates as high $18 an inch depending on the shop.
This is why some of the big 'uns become dinner or are released.

Some replicas are cheaper and paint the mold of a like size fish with the scale patterns from your fish's pictures.

-Good info handyman we posted at the same time

[BassinBomber]

Hey Quad,..it might be cheaper 2 get a Fiberglass Replica,..yes? I'm curious like you though!

BB

[The Quadfather]

Hey Quad,..it might be cheaper 2 get a Fiberglass Replica,..yes? I'm curious like you though!

BB

BB & others,,

I am so far from catching anything that I would ever even consider mounting, that it is not much of a concern really. Plus 90% of my fish are C/R. I will look at a very large fish like that recent Colmumbia river bass, and I can't help but wonder what the costs are. However, I wasn't aware of the replica thing, and for that matter a replica is a better way to go in the long run (if you believe in C\R )----------- side note. I think that I will add C/R up there with just a couple of the worlds greatest debates, i.e. (whether or not to breast feed your child, ) those of you who are parents will understand, LOL
also, Pro-life vs. Pro choice, All things that we can only agree to disagree on.

[BassinBomber]

Yea I think it's a way better way 2 go Chris,..take a pic and release 4 someone else 2 catch and 2 replenish the waters,..take it 2 the Taxidermist,..show him the pic,..and there ya go,..probly cheaper 2,..from what I understand the Taxidermist wants the fish 2 "not be gutted" when you bring it in,..I like the replica idea better though,..makes alot more sense 2 me.

BB

[EastsideRedneck]

I think the only way I'd go the taxidermy route is if the catch was too injured to survive post catch. If you've got the $$ a good replica can be far superior to taxidermied examples.

[BassinBomber]

Good point Eastside!

BB

[kevinb]

My muskie buddies use Rick Lax but he does many others besides muskie and pike.
Heres a link if you want to check it out.

http://www.laxreproduction.com/index.html

[hewesfisher]

It's been 15 years ago (1993), but I had a 44" Northern Pike skin mounted by Hunter Fisher Taxidermy in Anchorage, AK. Cost was $10 an inch and a kicker (amount I no longer remember) for each inch over 40 with a lifetime warranty. Mount still looks awesome after all these years. Can't imagine what it would cost to do that today.:cyclops:

[kevinb]

It's been 15 years ago (1993), but I had a 44" Northern Pike skin mounted by Hunter Fisher Taxidermy in Anchorage, AK. Cost was $10 an inch and a kicker (amount I no longer remember) for each inch over 40 with a lifetime warranty. Mount still looks awesome after all these years. Can't imagine what it would cost to do that today.:cyclops:

44inches,....very nice. I've seen good and bad on both sides of replica vs.skin mount.
Its an art form.Some have it and some don't

[cavdad45]

Locally it averages 12-14/inch. In more southern areas (like Florida or Texas) it's around $10/inch.

I favor fiberglass repros for the ability to retain a quality appearance for a lifetime. Also they are easier to keep clean and maintained. Just take lots of pictures and record lots of measurements to help the artist duplicate your trophy.

[Gringo Pescador]

I always wondered what and how they charged as well. But, if I ever catch anything worth mounting (replica or otherwise) the desicion has already been made for me by my wife. I think the words were something like "in YOUR garage maybe, but any fish that enters this house will be cooked and served for dinner, not hung on a wall."#-o