CTFishTalk.com: What would you do? (trophy bass) - Connecticut Bass Fishing ( CT Bass Fishing ) - A Community Built for Connecticut Fisherman.

PECo · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 5203 Location: Avon, CT

Flipper - I have a 23 inch northern pike skin mount that's over 30 years old. It's beaten up, but it still looks better than most of the fish mounts that I see.
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Flipper · Joined: 21 May 2010 Posts: 347 Location: Enfield

I believe that may be the exeption to the rule, Phil. It is generally thought (from my research) that the replicas are much longer lasting, and retain their color much better than skin mounts. You probably had an excellent taxidermist, and all the conditions were perfect for that specific mount. Just so everybody is clear, even when you get a skin mount, the skin (and sometimes the skull) are used, BUT the skin is still painted over by the taxidermist. Sure, part of the mount is actually the fish you caught, but it is still doctored up artificially, so what you are seeing is still not the actual fish. Why not just get an artificial and let the fish go? Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with the taking of a trophy fish. It is old, close to death anyway, and has reproduced many times, thus making it's contribution to the ecosystem. I would rather see it taken for food than just to be killed for the simple reason of mounting it on the wall so one can brag about it. That can be done with a picture. See avatar Very Happy

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brandon72801 · Joined: 28 Jul 2010 Posts: 65 Location: Bethel, CT

I caught what I consider a trophy bass at Ball Pond during the spawn this year. I didn't have a scale or a ruler with me as I was just testing out the new boat with my son. I did get pictures though, and most seasoned bass anglers say it was 8+lbs. It never even crossed my mind to keep it....I know it's still in there and I will catch it again. But a day doesn't go by that I don't wonder what the actual weight was, and I'll never leave home without my scale:).

PECo · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 5203 Location: Avon, CT

I remember seeing the photos. I'd consider it to be a trophy bass, too. And it will be even bigger the next time that you catch it. Very Happy

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pondhopper · Joined: 31 Mar 2011 Posts: 49

Awesome guys! this has been even better than I had hoped.
Lots of good points were made for both sides (more for releasing though) and I learned some new perspective on the whole topic.

I will have to do more research on skin mount VS. fiberglass pros and cons, but I think I am leaning much more toward releasing and going fiberglass. I'd say I have just about made up my mind unless 9 out of ten taxidermists tell me that fiberglass sucks, which I strongly doubt would be the case.

I guess what helps drive my motivation in this sport is having a goal with something really nice to show for it when I reach it. That is what keeps me hung up on wanting a trophy one day. I just know myself too well and know that I'll keep raising the standard with each new PB I catch, making it very hard for me to ever say to myself "this is the one".

By the way, PECo is my favorite... He always keeps in the mix and helps keep the subjects going. Most of you are really cool to hear from too, I just noticed myself looking forward to "the PECO view" in many different conversations here.

Anyway, thanks again everyone... you guys are awsome!
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PECo · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 5203 Location: Avon, CT

Thanks, pondhopper. And just so that you and Flipper know, I'd go for the fiberglass replica, too.
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admin · Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2011 1:44 pm Post subject:

take a pic. let it go..... def.
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steven1smith · Joined: 05 Apr 2010 Posts: 206 Location: South Windsor

As far as regulations go, it's legal to keep that trophy bass. I dont want people to, but its legal.

If you decide to keep a 7lb bass, just keep in mind that it has several more years of spawning to do. If the fish does end up getting to 10lbs, those few years of extra spawning may help the lake produce big fish for future generations to enjoy.

If you catch that 10lb bass, consider this. That bass is just 2-3 years from becoming a state record. If you keep that fish, there's no chance that it will become close to that size.

The state record smallie is in either Candlewood or Shenipsit. Go get it.
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Catch and release only.
A 4lb bass is not going to grow to 8lbs on your wall.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxCdnQ8WEfQ

johnnybass860 · Joined: 28 Mar 2011 Posts: 30

Earlier in the year I got my personal best at 9 pounds and It would of never been that big if i didn't use catch and release on the same fish a couple years ago. It was really hard for me to throw it back but I did and It successfully spawned.

PECo · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 5203 Location: Avon, CT

You're the poster boy for catch and release, johnnybass860. Very Happy

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pondhopper · Joined: 31 Mar 2011 Posts: 49

Oh yea, johnnybass860 is the guy who hit the 9lber on crystal pond! Thats so awesome brotha! I have shown that pic to my bass fishn buddies and we all freakn love staring at it!

Congrats on that and I hope to see a pic of you holding it at 10lbs next spawn. And I commend you on releasing it too. That takes a true sportsman.
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johnnybass860 · Joined: 28 Mar 2011 Posts: 30

Thank you Sir. Catch and Release is the way to go, no doubt about it

johnkaz · Joined: 04 Jan 2011 Posts: 37

almost all mounts now are just fiberglass anyways. as far as i know there are only a couple places that actually use the real fishes head. so its better off just get some good detailed pics and sizes and let the hogs go. I always said i would keep my first 8lb bass. then one day i caught one, i had no camera so that sucked!! But me and that bass had a moment and i just couldnt keep it. I let her go. But i did have a freind with me and he saw it.
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RyanMalloy · Joined: 28 Apr 2010 Posts: 16

In CT it'd take a 8.5lb+ and a 6lb+ smally for me

In reading non stop I have full faith by that the time these bass get to these sizes to pull one out wouldn't hurt future growth of fish in the body of water

It's had plenty of time by then to get its genes into the water

steven1smith · Joined: 05 Apr 2010 Posts: 206 Location: South Windsor

I just have to much respect for these fish to ever keep one that reaches trophy size. I couldn't live with myself to end a trophy bass's life by mounting it on a wall. I'd be much more happy with a replica. I think they look nicer too.
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Catch and release only.
A 4lb bass is not going to grow to 8lbs on your wall.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxCdnQ8WEfQ