Getting a fish Mounted....

[Scott nthQld]

Well the fingermark season is upon us, and I'm curious about the procedures and costs involved in getting a fish mounted.

Anyway, I know a couple of people here have had a fish or 2 mounted and I was wondering what the procedure was, and if possible, the cost involved?

So a couple of questions first up:

1. What is the best way to store the fish prior to getting it mounted?
We catch our big fingermark mainly at night, obviously there will be nothing open at 1am. Also, i'd like to keep the colour in the fish, when these brutes are caught, you could swear you are holding a big slab of gold (not the beer, the metal), how do i preserve this colour, or would it be best to get some snap shots upon capture?

2. For the taxidermy/mounting part, what is the actual procedure? Is a mould taken or do they actually use the fish itself, and take the fins etc to make it lifelike? Obviously I don't want to kill a fish purely for a trophy, and would rather make use of it, so maybe a stupid question, but what about the flesh, is it still edible?

3. Cutting the fish's throat upon capture to bleed/kill would not be practical for the purpose of mounting, so whats the best way to kill the fish so it doesn't have to suffocate, without causing any damage that would affect the mounting of said fish?

4. For those that have had it done, typically what are the costs involved? I'd imagine it would be similar to mounting a snapper, but the difference is, live, a fingermark would tow a snapper backwards.


And one for the Townsville members, does anyone know if there is someone local that does this sort of thing? Or if it is possible to transport the fish whole to someone who can?

[Swindells]

I have a taxidermist who comes to my work often to buy pouring foam to mount deer and pig carcasses, i asked him the same question and he said because they don't have a hide they can't be stuffed. what they do instead is take a mold of the fish then cast it, and have it painted true to the individual fish. he said if you get someone good you won't even tell is a cast.

Makes sense as what would you stuff? the skin is to weak and scales fall off.

Freezing the fish can affect its size and appearance so it's better if you have a taxidermist on standby so he can put it in his fridge until he is able to take the cast.

Not sure on price but you can bet it won't be cheap, probably upwards of $200. a full size deer is around $600 - $800 to be stuffed.

[slyman]

I've never done this, but on dave butfields show on pay tv they talked about this the other week, one of the folks he fished with was a taxidermist. They said to take loads of pictures from many different angles as soon as possible after capture so that you record the coloursof the fish upon capture for the painting afterwards. They then took measurements around the thickest part of the fish and along its length, not with a brag mat or similar but with a tape measure. They then carefully wrapped up the fish in a wet towel taking care to not damage any of the fins by laying them flush to the body, as they will use them on the molded fish. They then placed this into a big ziplock bag and recommended getting either to your taxidermist ASAP or freezing it until you could get there.

[snapperbasher]

Hey Mate,

I had a 36kg spanish done about 18 months ago by Rod Gardiner. He is from yamba in northern nsw so probably a bit far for you but he did a great job. When I caught the fish it was in hervey bay so a big ciguatera risk thats why I had it mounted. I just wrapped it in glad wrap and froze it whole He picked it up and dropped it back off to my house when it was done. It is a pretty time consuming process as they have to skin the whole fish even down to eyelids and fins they then make a foam body form and tan the skin then wet fit it to the foam body form. when it has dried they then airbrush some colour back in and clear coat it. My fish cost $700.00 to get done. Have a look at his website my fish is in gallery 6 there is 2 spanish on that page mine is the one inside the house. his website is www.taxidermy.net.au

Cheers Lochie

[ffejsmada]

Check out the thread in Freshwater Chat.

[spelchek]

Hey Mate,

I had a 36kg spanish done about 18 months ago by Rod Gardiner. He is from yamba in northern nsw so probably a bit far for you but he did a great job. When I caught the fish it was in hervey bay so a big ciguatera risk thats why I had it mounted. I just wrapped it in glad wrap and froze it whole He picked it up and dropped it back off to my house when it was done. It is a pretty time consuming process as they have to skin the whole fish even down to eyelids and fins they then make a foam body form and tan the skin then wet fit it to the foam body form. when it has dried they then airbrush some colour back in and clear coat it. My fish cost $700.00 to get done. Have a look at his website my fish is in gallery 6 there is 2 spanish on that page mine is the one inside the house. his website is www.taxidermy.net.au

Cheers Lochie

I can second the quality of the www.taxidermy.net.au fella is awesome. He runs an Italian restaurant in Yamba which is decorated by a few of his amazing mounts. The flathead mount is stunning! He was very easy and keen to chat about his taxidermy business. He told me the best thing to do is wrap in gladwrap and freeze ASAP. He also does regular runs north to Brisbane (and beyond maybe - can't remember now) but he also has 'agents' who will accept the fish for storage if needed. Give him a call - he's a top bloke (I just wish I could remember his name) and will be delighted, I'm sure, to help you out with advice and/or his services.

Oh and BTW - his restaurant is bloody good too if you're in Yamba. Not sure now what it's called (cause I'm just so very good with remembering names) but it's over the road from the big bottleshop in the 'main street' at the foot of the big hill with the lighthouse on top.

And if you think they're bad directions, you should see how crap I am at drawing maps LOL.