Caught My First Striper

[jeb]

Caught a 19lb striper yesterday, 36 inches long. Was a fun fight on what would be considered light tackle for a fish this size. I don't fish for white bass, just black bass. So this was a bit of a fluke. First striper I've ever caught.

Anyway, debating on getting it mounted. Wife is all over it, wants it done. It's not HUGE by striper standards, but probably the biggest I'll ever catch since I don't really fish for them. But I'm not real high on fish mounts. Although the guy we'd use does awesome work, it's still more about painting skills than anything with fish. When I have pheasants done, the only paint is the red around the eyes to highlight it and some gloss on the beak.

So for folks that have fish mounted, would you do it again?

And, no, I didn't net him by the tail. I just pulled his head of the net before snapping the first pic. I was a little afraid he wasn't going to fit in the net, though!

[bferg]

Congrats man! That is a very nice fish. Thanks for posting a pic.

As for the mounts: I have yet to see a fish mount ("real" or "replica" that really makes me excited about the fish. None of them seem to look quite "real" enough. I have seen some other custom works of art that make great memories. Like this old school looking wooden replica: http://www.fishcarvings.com/ or a custom painting like this: http://eastcoastangler.blogspot.com/2009/08/immortalize-your-fishing-memories-fresh.html. No clue how the cost of this stuff compares to mounts...

Replica mounts are pretty good options now-days too. I am not sure that a "traditional" mount is the "real" fish anyway...but with a few good pictures and solid measurements a replica can be built that allows your fish to keep swimming.

[Quillback]

Congrats, nice fish!

[wily]

if you mount it - go with a replica mount - it will last longer and you can eat it.

they are good

[jay bird]

You are right it is all about the color and paint job on the fish. Mine is close, but I would have still liked the brilliant white like you see in your picture.

[jeb]

Nice mount, Jay. How big was that striper?

Saw a couple of 20's mounted at Jimmee Nell's taxidermy in Springdale yesterday. Looked really nice and he has a great rep around here. So I think I'm going to go for it.

Thanks for the help, guys.

[jay bird]

This was my guys first Striper and it is good, but I really wish I could have been his 10th because I know all he is going to do is get better. My fish was 43-44 inches long and 35+ pounds. I am a little surprised that you do not want to fish for them again, the top water action is the spring is unreal. How did you catch tht fish anyway?

[jeb]

Caught it on a suspending jerk bait. It was cool and all, and I wouldn't mind catching another or anything. I just don't see me spending any time focusing on it. No offense or anything, I just enjoy chasing black bass.

[jay bird]

All of my friends are the same way. Take them out for some unreal striper top water action in the early AM and it is cool, but boat a 20 inch smallie later in the day and they act like nothing could get better. To each their own.

[zarraspook]

Caught a 19lb striper yesterday, 36 inches long. Was a fun fight on what would be considered light tackle for a fish this size. I don't fish for white bass, just black bass. So this was a bit of a fluke. First striper I've ever caught.

Nice fish !!! Thanks for the picture... This is the time of year for "Jerk-baits".. You have to let them set about one minute between jerks, because of the cold water..

Mike