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Posts: 275
| What is the going prices on replicas vs. skin mounts. I'm 100% CPR but I was just curious and got into a conversation with a friend over this topic. Thanks, Jaimy |
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Posts: 556
| In myu area about 30-40% more for the replica---BUT-- Isn't it worth it--not only in the releasing of the fish but that replica will last longer than us ! |
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Location: Eastern Ontario | For me it's the photo holding the fish and if possible a nice release shot , skin mount = dead fish.......replica = plastic fish I can order whatever I want and if I wanted pink and baby blue I could have that too. |
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Posts: 275
| 30-40% more than what? I haven't had a fish mounted in 21 years and I have no idea what they charge now.
Jaimy |
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Posts: 20245
Location: oswego, il | Skin mount all the way. Before you attack me, I still release the fish but I do take its skin first. Anold timer told me it grows back.
Edited by ToddM 9/16/2012 1:51 PM
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Posts: 32921
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | I agree with Todd, skin 'em and release, especially this time of year after they have lost their teeth. For pricing from your taxidermist, I'd call. |
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Posts: 125
Location: Barnesville MN | I had a 53" fish die on me last year, to have it mounted it was 800.00 for one side showing or 1800.00 for a pedestal mount so you can see both sides. |
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Posts: 1516
| How do you get them to hold still for the skin removal? |
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Posts: 142
| Nyquil treated bucktails |
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| Grab'm by the Tail |
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Posts: 171
Location: indiana | hold em vertical for for longer than you can hold your breath and they slide right out |
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Posts: 275
| I will never do either, pictures are enough for me. Just curious how much mounts have gone up.
Jaimy |
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Posts: 208
Location: musky waters , WI | Got a 52.5 replica from last fall and price was right at $14 an inch. This was through fittante from antigo ,wi. Lax was close to that in pricing as well. |
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Posts: 139
| A few years ago i paid only $12 an inch for a replica. Replica's are the way to go, sure they may be more expensive but the fish lives and so does your mount vs a skin mount. |
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| Pricey but only certain taxidermists can do a replica and a skin mount of the same fish and you wouldn't be able to tell the difference - you pay for what you get. |
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| More than likely the first 50" I catch will get the club. It will depend on the moment. Most of the lakes I fish would probably never produce a 50" anyways and if they did, it would not be growing much bigger than that. Point being, if the fish is at the end of it's life cycle anyways, why not harvest it. Better than keeping a 40" fish in my opinion. Not at all saying I believe all 50's should be kept by any means.
Myself, who does not have a single fish or animal on my wall now, I want a skin mount of the first 50" I get. Especially if the fish were to have some deep, healed over scars or something neat that gives the fish character. Although some replicas do look really good, I just don't think you can exactly 'replicate' a fish. And if I were to actually harvest one, I would vow to never get another skin mount (of a musky anyway).
I will remain anonymous to deflect the bashing.
Edited by Anonymous 9/17/2012 12:31 PM
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Posts: 1295
Location: WI | I always said I would thump a 50" if I got one...then I released it without even a picture. Won a replica last year for a 52.5" from Artistic Anglers. Haven't got it yet, but should be ready any day now! |
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| Anon, isn't a skin mount also another replica?? Maybe a little less of one than a true replica since the skin/scales and fins/tail are used (though backed by plastic reinforcement). However, the skin loses color post-mortem and is stretched over a mold, then has to be re-painted like a true replica any way. The taxidermist must have a good eye and artistic ability to get your 'skin mount' even close to the real thing. Case in point #1: I have a largemouth skin mount that looks very much like a smallmouth bass! The thing was painted so poorly that the mount doesn't look at all like the real thing, even though the real skin and fins/tail were used.
I'm pro replica and know I won't change your mind re. clubbing your first big fish, but aren't 'skin mounts' and 'replicas' both really replicas in the end?
guest |
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Posts: 313
Location: Bemidji, Lake Vermilion | There are unfortunately many people like Anon who have or intend to club their first one. Seen it happen firsthand in my area. Surprising number of people are coming to the "blessed land of 50 inchers" ie MN and clubbing one. Guess its a personal preference but logistically, fish of that size from anywhere should not be killed. If its really at the end of its life cycle its going to look like heck anyways. Healthy fish, decent girth etc are NOT near the end of their lifecycle. Way way too many identifiable 50+ inch fish have been caught over and over again throughout the years by locals in my area. Passing the enjoyment on to the next person to catch the big girl is part of the fun! |
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Posts: 619
| Got a 54.5 half on the wall, its skin.. I had to keep it cause it swallowed my cowbell.... it was so deep i could hardly get the lure out when i got home... still bummed about killing it. Anyway that one ran me $550 - that was 4 yrs ago too. Cowbell is death sentence to alot of fish and has changed alot of lakes. All my back hooks are now barbless for the most part. |
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Posts: 1270
| AndyM - 9/17/2012 11:24 AM
Pricey but only certain taxidermists can do a replica and a skin mount of the same fish and you wouldn't be able to tell the difference - you pay for what you get.
With all do respect I've yet to see any replica musky that I couldn't tell was a replica from across the room. The replica guys ae good, no doubt, but they just can't get the mold to look like the real thing, I think it has to do with the scales.
On a side note is a replica painter really a taxidermist? They're artists for sure but if all they do is replicas do they even need a taxidermy liscense? |
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Posts: 415
| reelman - 9/17/2012 10:21 PM
AndyM - 9/17/2012 11:24 AM
Pricey but only certain taxidermists can do a replica and a skin mount of the same fish and you wouldn't be able to tell the difference - you pay for what you get.
With all do respect I've yet to see any replica musky that I couldn't tell was a replica from across the room. The replica guys ae good, no doubt, but they just can't get the mold to look like the real thing, I think it has to do with the scales.
On a side note is a replica painter really a taxidermist? They're artists for sure but if all they do is replicas do they even need a taxidermy liscense?
I would also say the majority of real skin mounts I see of all species look like garbage. Very few fish mounts I have seen look all that much like the real fish they came from. Just look at deer mounts. No replicas there, and some look downright funny, and others look like the real thing. In the end its mostly art whether its real or not.
I have three replicas from three different guys, and IMO the Fittante is simply the best one out there. Well worth a little longer waiting period. |
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Posts: 304
Location: Lino Lakes, MN | I am sure that there are taxidermist who will "stuff" a fish for half of what a reproduction cost.
However a world class fish like many of these 55" fish should get world class taxidermiy work and I believe that would cost well over the cost of a replica by Lax or Fittitani- sorry for the spelling
My two cents
Steve |
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| Anonymous - 9/17/2012 12:28 PM More than likely the first 50" I catch will get the club. I will remain anonymous to deflect the bashing.
I can understand why you would want to remain anonymous and it is certainly your right to keep a legal fish. However, if you do decide to keep one I would recommend you just keep it quiet and not mislead anyone into thinking that you released it like this guy did.
http://www.lake-link.com/Wisconsin-Fishing-Reports/report.cfm/26069...
Pretty amazing because Alexander estimates the fish to be 44-45lbs, when he knows it full well it only weighed 35lbs at Smokey’s on Bay when he brought there. It's very excusable to have a fish die, but when a well-known guide like this deliberately misleads people showing off release shots of a dead fish on this other web-site to shamelessly promote his business, it really gets my goat.
It's one thing to have an individual stretch of fish here or there, who really cares anyway. But when a guide or business purposefully misleads people in an attempt to part them with hard-earned dollars, well, the public should be made aware.
In my opinion, this is not the first time this guy has done this and many muskie fishermen are being seduced with his false advertising.
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| Tilky - 9/16/2012 7:15 PM
Grab'm by the Tail
Tilky knows the above is true but may not want to get in the middle of it. |
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Posts: 68
| Dumb question as I know nothing about taxidermy so take it easy on me here... How do you tell the difference between a newer skin mount and replica? I impulsed bought a mount from a consignment/estate sale sort of store for dirt cheap and they did not know or have any info about it or who did it. Except that they thought is was a 45" tiger but is actually a 50 x 27 barred (f'n pig!).
The head, gills and fins are fake. Does anyone even use a real head or head skin anymore, or fins???
Seems like some real thick clear on it which makes it harder for me to tell on the body. It's not glossy smooth and has quite a few tiny pinpoints spots where it appears to have collected some dust while the clear was drying. There is a distinct seem at the top and bottom, and a few areas around the fins where it gets thicker and has some minor separating/detaching from what I think is the form. The skin detail is pretty good, especially between the pelvic fins. No seem running between them, more of a diamond/triangle pattern where it meets up with the belly seem and where the fins were attached. At the top it kind of looks like skin may have been attached but I'm really not sure. It was mounted to drift wood with some long screws going into the reverse side. From the holes I can see where the screw separated the paint and clear from the body, and then underneath that is a thicker yellowish/off-white sort of layer before the actual form (skin?).
Just curious. I'd like to repaint it or see if it can be lightened up since the bars are real dark, almost black, and I'd like to see if it can be made to look like a more traditional barred musky. Before I take it to a taxidermist I'd like to call around and get some quotes, and to make sure they would even want to do it since I know many would rather just start over with a replica since I'm assuming it's a lot more prep and hassle to repaint real skin.
I can post some details pics of certain areas later tonight if it helps.
Thanks
Edited by Kleck 2/27/2013 12:26 PM
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Posts: 1760
Location: new richmond, wi. & isle, mn | You have to be a artist to paint graphite or the real thing. A buddy had a fish done "repo" by artistic anglers. I will say a beautiful job. They guaranteed it for life. While in the process of moving he broke off a fin. They fixed it up as good as new no questions asked . |
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Posts: 555
Location: Tennessee | I'll say with the high end replicas I've saw vs skin mounts, the replicas win hands down! the quality made replicas look like the fish just slid out of the water. There are some fantastic skin mounts as well but I've saw way too many boogered up looking ones. |
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| jchiggins - 2/27/2013 9:48 PM
You have to be a artist to paint graphite or the real thing.
Exactly. Lot of guys in this thread don't understand how taxidermy works. If you're unhappy with a replica or skin mount, you're mostly unhappy with the painting skills of the taxidermist.
Guy I fish with learned taxidermy from Neal Long. IMO no one paints better muskies than Neal did. |
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Posts: 16632
Location: The desert | If you're unhappy with any mount, you didn't do your homework and look at a gallery of the taxidermist's work. The old adage "you get what you pay for" also applies to taxidermy. |
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Posts: 304
Location: Lino Lakes, MN | I do not think that a top nothch skin mount is cheaper than a replica. World Class fish deserve World Class Taxidermy.
Good Luck
Steve |
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Posts: 397
| The person i have had do some of my other fish, is only 1 dollar less than finttante, and he is worth it. He is by far the best painter of fish i have ever saw. That being said i think with a replica of a musky, if you have a good pic and painter,will look as said earlier like it just got pulled from the net. |
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Posts: 176
Location: Tomahawk, WI | Just looking at the side of a skin mount and a replica its hard to tell the difference, but you can always tell by looking at the mouth (inside). I never seen a taxidermist master the teeth and inside mouth color yet. I have 3 replicas from high end taxidermist and all have not mastered this yet, although i think they could, but it would take weeks of work resulting in high pricing. Me personally would always get a replica versus skin mount, i just couldnt kill a fish that somebody else could have the pleasure of catching in the future. |
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| Go replica, don't have to think about it. Last forever, always look good, fish swims away. I have a 50 replica of a tiger. What a moment it was to watch a 32lber swim away strong. That was twelve years ago and I still think about watching her swim away. I know for a fact it was caught the next year and photo'd by a guide. They live, they grow. Don't weigh the cost. |
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Posts: 829
Location: Maple Grove, MN | Here is my process for handling mounting options:
1. Catch fish
2. Measure and take pictures of fish
3. Release the fish
4. Wait until the Sports Show or Muskie Expo
5. Get prices on a replica
6. Look at what else that money can buy
7. Forget about the replica
8. Repeat next year - or at least try  |
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| I just got my replica back this past fall from Artistic Anglers, it looks awesome!
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Posts: 427
| Herb_b - 3/1/2013 2:23 PM
Here is my process for handling mounting options:
1. Catch fish
2. Measure and take pictures of fish
3. Release the fish
4. Wait until the Sports Show or Muskie Expo
5. Get prices on a replica
6. Look at what else that money can buy
7. Forget about the replica
8. Repeat next year - or at least try :)
Exactly!!!!!!!!!! |
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Posts: 174
Location: Ontario | Picking up my replica in April.52" fish caught last year. I look at it as art. The guy does awesome work.Also look at the fish I caught as being alive. Worth every penny of the $1400 I spent on the replica |
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Posts: 1306
Location: E. Tenn | Took this pic at last year's Knoxville TN fishing show.
The top one is a skin mount, the bottom is a replica
(039 (1024x765) (2) (800x598).jpg)
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Posts: 304
Location: Lino Lakes, MN | Definately not a world class skin mount! |
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Posts: 280
| Miket55....not sure of your point. Here are some dandy replicas....LOL!
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Posts: 280
| IMHO, you make a mistake by trying to uplift the value of replicas by attempting to diminish the quality of skin mounts. There are many taxidermists who do absolutely beautiful quality skin mounts as well as replicas. Do some research and make your decision based on facts and not unfair comparisons. |
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Posts: 129
| In my experiences of a big northern, 46", I had skin mounted and several replica muskies I've seen, the replicas often look better than skin mounts from the back of the gill plate to the beginning of the tail. In other words the body looks much better. However, the head, mouth, teeth and fins have always looked better on skin mounts and are a dead give away of a repro. In my opinion that tips the scales in favor of the skin mounts. pardon the pun... |
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| I understand mounts for anything that has to be killed: deer, turkey. Don't understand why we need dead fish to remember the fish or have proof of a catch. Fish do die during the process, and then for sure I'd say skin mount. Otherwise it just seems like a selfish gesture that there is a need to kill something so we can look at it on a wall, when it otherwise could live. It seems that few muskies are kept vs. being released, so at least the resource can remain healthy. |
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Posts: 70
| If you can't REVIVE IT MOUNT IT! I SAW A NICE 50 PLUS FLOATING ON MILLE ONE NIGHT! GONE IN THE DARK, TURTLE BAIT!
NICE RELEASE! |
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Posts: 1023
Location: Lafayette, IN | It's my observation and understanding that after the tanning process a fish's skin actually has shrunk some. The few big fish I've seen live and later mounted seemed definately smaller than when live. Frankly, I've never understood why quality pictures don't trump the extravagant pricing of any mount whether a repro or a skin mount. Different strokes I guess. |
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| If you fish in wi, may as well get a skin mount. At least the fish won't end up as first place in a spearing tourney... |
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| stephendawg...a fish skin is not "tanned" and does not shrink in the mounting process if properly done. If a mounted fish measures smaller than the "in carcass" measurement it is because of improper mounting methods or inaccurate original measurements. |
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Posts: 62
Location: Rhinelander,WI | Replica all the way easy to clean and take care of. I have two that are eight years old and still look brand new. |
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| I have a skin mount 47" that was done in 1993...looks as good as any replica I have ever seen....STILL...easy to clean and MY fish! Not cheap to have mounted but the best decision I have made in my "trophy room". |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | Guest - 3/18/2013 6:29 PM
I have a skin mount 47" that was done in 1993...looks as good as any replica I have ever seen....STILL...easy to clean and MY fish! Not cheap to have mounted but the best decision I have made in my "trophy room".
what will you choose when you catch a big one? |
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Posts: 16632
Location: The desert | jonnysled - 3/18/2013 5:32 PM
Guest - 3/18/2013 6:29 PM
I have a skin mount 47" that was done in 1993...looks as good as any replica I have ever seen....STILL...easy to clean and MY fish! Not cheap to have mounted but the best decision I have made in my "trophy room".
what will you choose when you catch a big one?
Haha! |
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Posts: 62
Location: Rhinelander,WI | Here are the two replicas i have.
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DSC04531 (800x600).jpg (105KB - 987 downloads)
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| the "MY fish" comment above is a great example of "ownership" that reminds me a lot of the control many people seek over things like land, fishing spots, a certain fish on a fishing spot, or a deer that wanders across a road and gets shot. All the arguments are pointless. Yes, it is your fish after you kill it. We are allowed bag limits, so that is fine. I disagree with keeping fish to mount them in most circumstances so you can look at "your" fish. Congrats to those that have enough security to let one go. Pictures and video are so cheap and easy these days. I wonder if skin mounters ever bash the guys who catch the monsters and keep them. I sense a lot of control issues when a big fish is taken and men are upset because they won't have a chance at it, to make it "theirs". |
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| Mr. johnnysled....that fish to me was and still is a "big one". I don't get to fish very often and I'm certainly not as good at it as many of you here, especially some of the "guides" who spend most of the season on the water. Nevertheless that fish is important to me and I don't need your confirmation to make it so. I guess what I will do IF I ever catch a big one, as you say, is really none of your business as long as I stay within the law, now is it sir? |
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Posts: 32921
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Guest,
The question was, replica or skin mount. If you enter the conversation you probably should expect folks to answer, so yeah, it sorta is.
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| Yeah....maybe I took johnnysled's question in the wrong way. I thought it to be a snide comment on the size of my skin mount. I still think it was, but I apologize if that's not what he meant.
To answer his ?....I don't know. I may just release and settle for photos if I get to take a good one. |
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| I will say that aside from the "quality " aspect a replica has an advantage since there is no worry about preserving and transporting a large fish carcass back home. There is also the fact that a replica of appropriate size may be ordered from anywhere in the U.S. That is much easier and less costly than shipping a large musky to a taxidermist in another state. |
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Posts: 13688
Location: minocqua, wi. | Guest - 3/19/2013 11:39 AM
Yeah....maybe I took johnnysled's question in the wrong way. I thought it to be a snide comment on the size of my skin mount. I still think it was, but I apologize if that's not what he meant.
To answer his ?....I don't know. I may just release and settle for photos if I get to take a good one.
you were right.
hope you get a good camera for your birthday ... get a ram-mount with a camera holder and practice at home on a timer and good luck!! |
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