Trophy Fish 2

[ghostcomanche©®]

What size fish, by weight, would you consider a trophy fish, that you would either get mounted, or have a replica made?

This trophy would have to come from Smith Mountain Lake.

For me personally it would have to be a fish over 40 pounds.  I have always considered myself a "trophy hunter", and always concentrated on catching the larger fish. Anything less than 40, I would not call it a trophy, then or now.

In the years I have fished SML I have been fortunate enough (or lucky enough)to have caught 2 over 40 pounds, and released them both.  One was 41.3 and the other was 43.8

At the time of these catches, my goal was a 45+ before mounting it.

If I knew then, what I know now about the lake and Stripers, I would have mounted the 43.8

By the way, one fish was caught at night, off a bank with a Cotton Cordel Redfin in Craddock Creek during December, and the other was caught during the day, on a Hopkins spoon, off a main channel hump near Indian Creek.

Back in those days, a 30 pounder, wouldn't even bat an eye.

I tell ya guys, those were the good ole' days.  I wish all of you could have experienced the Striper fishing back then.

[BentRod]

I'm weird, but I don't really see the value in a mount or replica for what they cost - I'd probably mount the state record, that's about it. A picture/video to remember the moment by is about all I need.

[Deleted]

 

   My biggest 2 were 42" and 44 inch. Both were caught in the 80's and yes I had both mounted. A Justice (want to say Ted was his first name) guy who lived in Roanoke mounted them....$4.50 an inch. At the time I thought that was an outrages price. Got to remember catch and release was just starting back then, and it was for Bass.  Also BentRod, you gotta know, back then all we had was a Kodak 1 step and a video recorder was the size of a small briefcase.  Gezzz!!!!!

  Would have to be a state record for me to get it mounted now also...... and then I would probably have to think about it..... don't know if I could kill one like that now or not.

[johnr]

With bentrod on this one. I don't see the value, especially at the price of a fish that size. 10-15 dollars per inch now.

I've got a 16" white perch on my wall and soon to have a nearly 15" yellow perch on my wall. Both free, since my dad does it.

Personally I can't see paying for it. Though, I'm not a trophy fish hunter so it doesn't get me that worked up. Plenty of ducks hanging on my walls though...

I'd let the state record go.

[mwardncsu]

My bar keeps moving. It's 50 lbs on a TN fish. Used to be 30 for SML but may be 40 lbs now. Regardless the fish will go back swimming and it will be a replica mount if I get it.....

[BentRod]

Not knocking ya Bigun - I'd have mounted one back then too I'm sure. Just don't see the need nowadays - not for the $$ but to each his own.

[Gator]

Well if I decide to spend my monies on a fish mount, you can bet for damn sure it's gonna be a trophy. You know...like a 24 pound, 44", SML Musky. Out!!!

[hambone]

Ive got 2 fish mounted, my recently discovered 37" striper and a 23" largemouth, both i caught as a child and was mounted by my uncle who is now desceased. I have no desire to get another mounted, nor do i have the money to blow on it haha! I dont even think i would get a replica made. Im really not much of a trophy fisherman either. Im a numbers guy, id rather go catch a bunch of small fish than i had one trophy fish. Just enjoy catching fish