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Posts: 6
| Greetings,
Just returned from LOTW, and after my son watched everyone else in the group catch multiple muskies all week, he finally boated a beautifully fat and healthy 46 incher on the last day. Would like to have a replica made (he is so crazy pumped, and I’m so happy for him).
From reading forums here, I understand that Rick Lax, Joe Fittante, and Artistic Anglers are all great options for replica, and might just go with one of them, but hoping there is someone good in the Twin Cities (I live in St. Paul). Any advice?
Also interested in your thoughts on what are reasonable turn-around times and costs... My son and I greatly appreciate your thoughts! |
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Posts: 16632
Location: The desert | Can't really go wrong with any of those. Turn around time isn't going to be quick.
Very cool that he got a nice one! My only suggestion would be to hold off for a while. If he's got the musky bug, there is plenty of time to catch a bigger one, especially if you fish LOTW every year. Maybe do a bigger canvas print of the picture of him and the fish. |
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Posts: 1638
Location: Minnesota | I went with artistic anglers. Thorn Bros recommend them highly. All there mounts are from there if you wait until the sportsmans show he gives a discount or if you ask he just might give it to you now. |
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Posts: 242
| IanBrianMuskies - 10/9/2016 5:46 PM
Also interested in your thoughts on what are reasonable turn-around times and costs... My son and I greatly appreciate your thoughts!
I can't help you on the question for a good place for the replica in the Twin Cites. However, I can give you some information concerning your second question. When I searched around for a replica, the prices varied from $14 an inch (plus shipping) to $20 an inch (plus shipping). Turn around time greatly varies. My replica took 20 months, but some places promise to deliver within 6 weeks (though, I can't confirm those promises).
One thing you need to really consider is the availability to blanks. There are some places that produce replicas, but don't have the access to a wide variety of blanks. For example, I went to a well know replica producer who matched the length and girth of my replica within 1/8 inch in both dimensions. I know someone else who ordered a replica from a guy who didn't have access to as many blanks and his replica was 2 inches shorter than the actual fish he caught. Granted, if the art work on a replica is excellent, then one may overlook the mismatch in dimensions, but I for one really would like a replica to be close in both the girth and length to the fish I caught in order to give a proper scale to the actual fish.
Edited by Lucky Craft Man 10/9/2016 9:26 PM
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Posts: 6
| Thanks everyone, greatly appreciate your thoughts and advice! I wouldn't have guessed that there would be so much variability in the quality of replicas (e.g., Lucky Craft Man's story about 2 inches shorter), but it makes sense now that I know more.
Mike, I appreciate your thoughts on waiting until he gets a bigger one. But, part of the replica is to honor the experience of the entire trip, which included his great uncle and his grandfather (I doubt we'll have us all together for such a trip ever again). I'm waiting until I get to 52+ before getting a replica for myself...
Again, greatly appreciate your thoughts, and if anyone else does know of a high quality option in the Twin Cities, please let me know. |
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Posts: 859
Location: MN | IanBrianMuskies - 10/10/2016 6:47 PM
Thanks everyone, greatly appreciate your thoughts and advice! I wouldn't have guessed that there would be so much variability in the quality of replicas (e.g., Lucky Craft Man's story about 2 inches shorter), but it makes sense now that I know more.
Mike, I appreciate your thoughts on waiting until he gets a bigger one. But, part of the replica is to honor the experience of the entire trip, which included his great uncle and his grandfather (I doubt we'll have us all together for such a trip ever again). I'm waiting until I get to 52+ before getting a replica for myself...
Again, greatly appreciate your thoughts, and if anyone else does know of a high quality option in the Twin Cities, please let me know.
Its about memories not the size of the fish. Its great to see that your passing this on to your son! I'm sure he will remember that trip vividly every time he looks at the fish. |
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Posts: 280
| Ian....you might try calling Lake Country Replicas in Hawick,MN just west of Minneapolis. www.lakecountryreplicas.com
Talk with with John Metz about his "premier" series blanks.
DougP |
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Posts: 6
| Thx again for all the advice. Thought some of you might enjoy the photo of my son and his replica. Joe Fittante did a fantastic job, and we couldn't be happier!
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Posts: 391
| Looks great. Thanks for posting. |
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Posts: 1269
Location: Walker, MN | That didn't take long. Looks good!
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Posts: 51
| Rick Lax has been supporting Twin cities and North Metro Muskies Inc. For years in their members only contests.
He ships it to your house! |
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Posts: 72
| Looks great! Fittante does incredible work. |
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