Mount or not to Mount

[koWALLEYEski]

I was having a discussion with some poeple about walleyes to mount. The walleye measured 28 in and was caught on 2 lb test. IS this worthy of a mount? I always have thought it should be atleast 30in to mount. I know that it is totally up to the person if its a ttrophy or not. What do you guys think?

[pinkfloyd4ever]

I think its totally up to you. I caught a 44inch Tiger musky in september and am getting a replica mount made, because to me its the one I've been chasing all my life, until I catch the next larger one and the memory of that night will come back each time I look at it

a 28inch walleye on 2lb test, to me and if I could do it, I would get it mounted

[Fish'n guy]

A legit 28" walleye is a trophy anywhere you are. However it all depends on how much time you put in to catch that fish and the girth. I log an average of over 20 hours a week fishing waters with large walleyes (mainly in the dakotas) and catch multiple 28" fish each season so i set the bar at 30" which I have only been broken twice but...if you only make it out a handful of times throughout the year i would not hesitate to mount a 28" eye. Your call but thats the scale that i use to determine whether or not to mount walleyes. Something to think about

[friendly]

Ko only you can honestly answer your question...

[Boar]

That big of a walley on 2 lb test is a feat in itself. But I have my minimums an when i get close I always seem to reluctantly let it go cause of my set minimums. Its wat i promised myself an anything less just dosent seem to measure up I guesse. If you set it at 30 or bigger i think you'll regreat keeping it cause it wasnt wat you promised yourself. My 2 cents.

[harvey lee]

Go for it.

[Ballyhoo]

I know of a lot of 28" fish on walls and they look very nice. Every person measures trophys different ways. Catching it on 2# test is a feat.

I know of a guy who measures white tail trophy by either 10 pts, 200 lbs or running. If it was either of the 3 it was a trophy. Not that he mounted them all but it is what you measure them by.

[Walleyehooker]

To me weather it be a skin mount or replica it depends on what the fish looks like. A 28 can be from a skinny 6-7 pounds or a pig closer to 10. Usually a little heavier on LOW. I set my sights higher on LOW as a 28 isnt that rare. But its up to you.

[otterman91105]

Totally up to you. I mounted a 28" walleye that i caught on 4 lbs test and i'm glad that i did.

[Feathers Rainin]

If you are asking the question I assume that means you kept it so I say mount it cause I don't think a 28 inch eye is going to taste very good.

Congrats on the fish.

[Kaz]

I mounted my Grandson's 29 incher because it was the first big fish he has caught. He was only 12 and he'll always remember the time with Papa...

[CANOPY SAM]

I like the last 3 responses above.

I mounted my eldest son's 27-inch walleye he caught during an FM tourney on LOW many years ago (back before the slot was implemented). He won the tourney with that single fish, and it was such a cool experience I kinda figured it was a trophy meant just for him.

The mount turned out gorgeous, and it's something our whole family has always enjoyed. A fish, deer, duck, or grouse doesn't have to be exceptionally huge to qualify as a trophy. They're all beautiful critters, and when handled by a skilled artisan they make beautiful artwork.

Plus, a few inches shorter equals a significantly smaller taxidermist bill at the end of the day!

Get it mounted. You won't regret it.

[DTro]

I say when in doubt, get the measurements and let it go, you can always get a replica.

My personal feeling is that mounts are dust collectors and having a picture is all I need.

[highlife4me]

I have to agree with DTro. A good pic captures the whole experience of landing a trophy fish like the area it was caught, weather, and most importantly the smile on the fishermans face. + it is much cheaper too.

[wja]

I mounted a 28 inch walleye. It was my first Walleye that big but it was more about who I was with and the stories that went with it that made me pull the trigger. It looks really nice and everytime I see it, I think about that day on the ice with all my friends. Since then, I have caught and released several Walleyes bigger than that. I guess my advice would be to do whatever makes you feel good. For me I have no regrets about mounting a 28 inch walleye and no regrets about releasing a 30 inch even though when I show people the picture they always ask why didn't I mount that one?

[goose89]

I say when in doubt, get the measurements and let it go, you can always get a replica.

My personal feeling is that mounts are dust collectors and having a picture is all I need.

+1...... I admire a nice pic more than any mount....had a skin mount done years ago and regret it...got pics of same fish that capture the moment and generate more conversation and memories than any mount our replica.....easier on the wallet too. Replica, if i could afford it, with a blown up pic would be my ideal.

[Kaz]

I think I've got how to post a Pix of my Grandson's fish I had mounted for him

[jjohnson5150]

My wife hit a 28" eye at our cabin lake 3 years ago. We decided to mount it since it was my 3 year old son, my wife & myself all fishing together on our home body of water. I'll never forget the excitement in the boat when it was finally landed and our boy jumping up & down. The fish turned out great after our local taxidermist did it. She puts a pink mini santa hat on it each Christmas season. My bass, crappies & bluegill get regular santa hats

My point is that each fish can carry memories and you will be the best judge on whether to get it mounted.

[engfish]

My father-in-law had my 28" walleye mounted that I caught ice fishing at Lake of the Woods. At the time he told me, "We're going to get that one mounted because you probably won't ever catch another one that big."

It was a beautiful mount, he paid for it, and since that time I've caught five walleyes as big or bigger. All of them were released after pictures were taken.

If I do catch a 30+ walleye, I am going to have a replica made.

Like the commercial says--Just do it!

[mainbutter]

Small mounts/replicas of average or even below-average sized fish can still be exceptionally beautiful pieces of artwork and can add some character to your mancave or wherever you intend on displaying it. A 28'' walleye is certainly not an average walleye, and catching it on 2lb test is certainly not an average day. I always encourage mounts or replicas of great fishing memories!

[basssmasher*]

I had a 28 and a 1/2 mounted, because it came from a very unexpected water source in my area and i caught it on a crank i found a week earlier. It took me a better part of the week to get the crankbait cleaned up, repainted and new hardware on it. The only reason i kept it was because It would have died if I put her back, due to serious bleeding from the gills. I was just gunna photo it and have a replica made. By the way the fish weighed 10.5 lbs on a certified scale after it had died. I have since caught numerous fish over 10 and one that was close to 12, but I swore to myself that i would only mount 1 walleye and that i have done.

[dangnear]

You kept it ! Have it mounted

[buddha]

Who cares what anyone says, if it's special to you mount it, don't get your undies in a wad over what someone may say if it's not over 30" or whatever.

It's the memories of the fishing encounter that matter and having the real thing or a replica on the wall is a great converstation piece that will promote many stories in years to come.