What would you do?

[Cheetam]

When I was out a couple weekends ago with a buddy on his pond, I caught a 6lb 15oz largemouth.  Now, my buddy, who owns the pond, said I should have kept it to have it mounted (which is what he would have done, and has done in the past).  Me, I tossed her back to live another day .  I didn't take the time to take any measurements to have a replica made, because honestly, I wouldn't want one. But, what would you have done?  Would you have kept the fish to have it mounted, taken measurements/photos/etc. to have a replica done, or let it go?  I think I know the answer to this, but I'm just curious...

[dashaver63]

If that was me, The fish would be swimming today also. Pictures and the memmories of that fish would be enough for me. Even though a fish that size is probably an old fish, I just hate killing any bass for my own personal satisfaction.

[Bender]

Let it go, even without the measurements I think that they can get pretty close from a photo with a mount. I talked to a taxidermist I know about it and told him that a little bigger is just fine. 
Seriously, I personally wouldn't be too worried about a mount being exactly the same fish as long as it's pretty much the same size. Maybe that's just me though.

[Cy]

I think it's OK to keep one or two big fish in your lifetime.  I think you need to decide what fish is worth keeping and having mounted.  Is it the big one in your buddies pond, the huge smallie from St. Clair, the 5+ from the lake you live on?  I think most people have a special fish in mind that they would have mounted if they caught it.  There is nothing wrong with that as long as you don't keep every 3 lber that comes a long.  Or if you do keep that big one, get it mounted don't just let it rot in the freezer forever.

My $.02...

Cy

[1javelin]

I don't really know.  I agree with CY for sure, there is a fish or 2 that you know you would like to keep and have mounted, and a mold just doesn't quite look the same no matter how good the taxidermist is.  If I gave you a fake Shimano you would know it for a fake Shimano.  Same concept.  But, to keep one?  Depends.  Largemouth, over 7 1/2, Smallie, 7 or bigger.  Then, nothing smaller.

1Jav

[dartag]

bet he or she is happy at home in the lake.
not hanging on your wall ( if the wife would let you ) collecting dust.  maybe you can go back next year and catch it again.  you have the photos and memories for life. I would not want PETA or Greenpeace ramming my boat next time we are out. 

[Hooksetter]

For me the pictures and/or memories are enough. I have no desire to hang dead things on the wall. It's just not my way.

Willie

[djkimmel]

If you didn't have a camera with you... you were obligated to let the bass go due to the well-known 'forgot the camera' penalty BECAUSE you probably only caught the bass because of the forgotten camera.

If you had the camera, take a really good picture. Have it blown up by a quality print shop and put it in a really nice frame. Much cooler than a dusty fish mount (according to my wife who hates dust).

[Cheetam]

It would definitely have to be a super special fish for me to consider keeping it.  State/world record...sure.  A once-in-a-lifetime fish...sure.  A (nearly) 7lb largemouth....eh.

[PIGSMALLIE]

Definately, take a picture of it and measure it etc...then of course put it back in the water to swim another day

[EKennedy]

MANY years ago...back in the 80's when I was a young teenager...liked to fish...but not as into it as now..I boated my first "big one".  a fat 4lb largemouth, creamy white belly, nice dark green back, shiny red gills...a real looker.   Probably the biggest ever caught out of that little lake...I had it mounted.  Since then, I certainly have caught other fish just like her, a couple even bigger...but back then, for me, that fish was ginormous! a record breaker for ME!  I was grins ear to ear.  Yep the pictures still show it! 

What would I do today?  Give her a kiss take a photo and toss her back!   Give somebody else the pleasure!

PS...the wife certainly doesn't want it hanging on the wall in the living room...and yes, it collects dust.   

But, my goodness the memory:  July 4th weekend, 1986, 90 degrees, old aluminum rowboat with a Sears Ted Williams 10hp outboard.  Purple weedless worm, white stripe, brand new Ugly Stick, trilene XT 8lb line on my new $35 shimano spinning reel...fished very slowly dropping off the east weedbed of a little lake called Turner Lake where we camped at Sharp Park. 

Easily 20+ years ago.  But that fish, that day, that event, one of a lifetime that I cherish.   Here's to all of us having such a fish to remember.

[thedude]

only fish i have mounted is a 9lb pike i caught when i was 11. It was the last trip to canada i went on with my Grampa who is the one who got me into fishing... i'm glad i have it to remember him by. My biggest pike is roughly twice the size of the one on the wall now, but the 9lber sure means  a lot more.

I doubt i will ever mount another fish.. i like to see 'em swim away too much. If i ever hit the 16+ mark on a largeface i might get a replica though

[Flippin222]

I have a couple on the wall of my den. Both were mounted in my late teens. One was 5 lbs 3 oz, the other was 7 lbs 1 oz. Looking back, while they were special for different reasons, I believe a framed photo would be best. The picture I use here is a picture of my son with my biggest smallie ever. WAY BETTER THAN ANY MOUNT!!!

While it is amazing to see the size differences between the 5lb and 7 lb fish, they seem to collect the same amount of dust. They also are very delicate and are prone to break easily (especially when my aforementioned son uses them for nerf gun target practice).

[TritonTR20]

At a bare minimum, take good pictures. I would never have another fish mounted. If it was 8+ largemouth, or 6+ smallie I would have a replica made. They are more durable than a skin mount. A well taken picture can be just as good. Trick is taking a good picture that isn't just holding the fish up in front of you. Use a flash even in bright sun so there are no shadows, make sure the sun is in your face...