Fish Mount
A fish mount is a preserved fish or fish replica that has been placed on a mount. Some mounts are designed for flat surfaces, while others are intended to be hung on walls. A mount can be anything from a simple piece of food to an elaborate piece of art designed to mimic the natural environment of the fish.
Generally speaking, a fish mount will become more expensive the bigger the mounted fish is, the higher number of fish the mount is to contain and the more elaborate the mount itself is going to be. The best fish taxidermists are not always the best mount designers and vice versa, so it can sometime be good to choose one person to do the fish taxidermy and another to design a mount and fit the fish to it.
A fish mount can either contain a stuffed fish, a fiberglass fish replica or a freeze dried fish. The classical stuffed fish is not at all common these days as most people prefer fiberglass replicas. Some people do however have a preference for the traditional method as the fish in the mount really will be the fish you caught.
Generally speaking, fiberglass fish replicas are better for large fish and freeze drying is a better way to preserve smaller fish. The fiberglass replica has many benefits, among the most important the non-existing need for the actual fish. All you have to do is to provide the taxidermist with data (measurements, species etc) and photos. This makes this method perfect for catch and release. The replicas are also much more durable than stuffed fish and will, if you hire a good fish taxidermist, look even more life-like than a stuffed fish usually do. Freeze drying fish is really only suitable for small fish but does on the other hand yield an excellent result. If you want to preserve small fish you can not beat the result that can be achieved through freeze drying carried out by a skilled taxidermist. It should be noted that freeze dried fish are quite prone to damage from insects, but there are treatments that can be used to decrease this risk.
Fish mount guide
If you think you might want a fish mount in the future it is good to be prepared and know what to do to get the best result. This guide is for fiberglass replicas as we here at CustomFishTaxidermy believe in catch & release and environmental protection.
The first thing you should to is measure the fish you might want to make a fish mount of later on. You should measure the length as well as the girth of the fish. This should be done as soon as possible after the catch. Make sure to write down the measurements. Avoid causing the fish extra stress. If the fish has already suffered a lot of stress, it is best to avoid measuring the girth and simply make a mental note of whether it was a slender of fat representative of its species.
Next you should photograph the fish from various angles. The quicker you take the photos the better as the fish will lose color as it gets more tired and stressed. The photos will help the artist recreate the spots and patterns of your unique fish.
Try to decide exactly how you want your fish mounted before you go ahead and and order, because the setting might effect how the fish is best recreated. A fish that is supposed to be displayed going for a lure will for example require different characteristics than one simply seen swimming.