Fish Mount Options
There are couple of different methods you can choose from for your trophy. Both skin and reproduction mounts are popular. Whichever method you choose, Off The Hook Taxidermy is an excellent choice.
Skin Mount
Skin mounts are done from the fish you catch. Not all fist are suitable for skin mounts due to size or oily skin. If you decide to do a skin mount, here are a few simple rules to follow:
- Never cut the fish in any way.
- Minimize scale loss by not allowing the fish to flop around.
- Keep your fish separate from other fish.
- Keep your fish in ice water until you are able to freeze it using one of the methods below.
- Take as many pictures as you can. Close-up photos of the fish are best and most digital cameras have a macro mode. This is very helpful to the taxidermist in individualizing your fish, and capturing all the detail.
- It is best to take the photos as soon as the fish is landed. The colors will fade fast as the fish dies.
Methods for Freezing:
- Method 1 (My preferred method for freezing)
- Use Borax, which can be found in most grocery stores in the laundry detergent area.
- Cover the fish from head to tail, both sides.
- Lay a piece of wax paper, shiny side up, on a rigid board that is as long as your fish at minimum.
- Lay the fish flat on the wax paper, taking caution of the fins.
- Lay paired fins along the body.
- Place the entire board with the fish in the freezer.
- Once frozen solid, place (only the frozen fish) into two heavy duty plastic bags such as leaf bags. Push out as much air as possible, and seal the end of the bag to where air does not leak back in.
- Place back in the freezer, and try not to stack anything on top of it.
Method 2
- Soak a bath or beach towel (depending on size of fish) in water.
- Wrap the wet fish with the wet towel(s), taking caution of the fins.
- Lay the fish flat into two heavy duty plastic bags such as leaf bags. Push out as much air as possible, and seal the end of the bag to where air does not leak back in.
- Place in freezer on a rigid surface, or as flat as possible, until fish freezes solid.
- Do not lay anything on top of the fish.
If you are on the island, and can get to my studio in Klawock within a few hours, I can take care of the freezing process for you if I am in the studio. The fish will be fine if it is in ice water. Be sure to call to make sure I am available, 907-755-7227.
NOTE: Take extra care to prevent damage to the fish. Small damages can be fixed, but major damage to the fish may not be able to be fixed, and will cost extra.
Reproductions
This will be the method you will want to choose if you want to release your catch, eat it, or simply cannot get the fish prepared for a skin mount. This method will give you a beautiful reproduction of the fish you caught, that will last forever. For this method, if you want your fish to be as original as the fish you caught, please follow the following directions:
- Measure the fish length from tip to tip, and the girth of the widest part of the fish, which is typically in front of the dorsal fin. It is best to use a “soft” tape to get these two measurements.
- Take as many close-up photos as you can. However, if planning to release the fish, please minimize the photograph session. Use a digital camera on macro mode if available. The pictures will help enhance the individualism of your fish.
Custom Molds
Another option is to have a custom reproduction made from molding the fish you catch. This option is good for those fish that commercial reproduction is not available due to size or species. Using the latest techniques, I can make a custom reproduction using your fish. For further details, please call.