Pond Boss Forums FISH & FISHING Sunfish-Including Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass Preparing a Trophy

I now strongly believe I have several bluegill in my pond that exceed the state record in length. WV Record Fish

I unfortunately had two of them break off tonight on 4-lb. test line. Just as I was getting ready to pull them out of the water I unfortunately over-rode my drag with my thumb. I brought in a female two weeks ago that I'm sure exceeded the length, weight, or both -- but silly circumstances prevented me from photographing or measuring the fish, and I wanted to get her back in the water without damage.

I don't want the state record, as I'm afraid I would have human vultures descending on my pond day and night. I have enough of a trespassing problem now.

But, I'd love to have replicas on my wall of some of these fish.

Could Cecil, and maybe a few others, suggest how I handle these fish. I want to get them back in the water as soon as possible, with absolute minimal health effects. I figure I'll be by myself when I catch one, so I can only take photos. I now keep a plastic tub for water and a BassPro metal measuring stick on the dock.

If I want a replica, what all do I need to do? Who can do it? I sure hope it is Cecil, or some other PB active member?

Since April, my median size bluegill is now just under 10 inches, which is where I've set my culling limit. My BG are not fat. Most have a Wr of only 1.1 to 1.2.

Ken

Ken,

If it was me doing the replica I would want a good photo of the fish showing the colors.

Then I would want a length of the fish on a board, and weight sure would be a plus. Even if you would have to put it briefly in a bucket to take it to the house to take pictures I would think it would be O.K. for release as long as you didn't take too long.

If you want to enter the fish as a record I would suggest getting what they require a head of time. Most likely it would have to be weighed on a certified scale with a witness, along with a clear photo with tape measure beside it, or on a board with the measurement clear. Some states require a biologist to witness the fish.

As far as replicas here's the scoop many don't know:

The taxidermist orders a blank from a supply company as close to the measurements you give. Yes, there are some that have made their own blanks but it's pretty tough to have all the sizes available. In otherwords, you're getting a mold of someone elses fish that in the case of a bluegill may not have the same configuration. As you know they vary a lot. I've actually seem some molds available that were definitely green sunfish hybrids complete with the oversized mouths. Many of the blanks molded from lake fish don't look anything like our pond fish.

You can do what you want but what is wrong with keeping one record size fish that is probably close to the end of it's life span?

Personally I'm for mounting actual skin mounts as they mean more to me and aren't someone elses fish.

If by some chance you do decide to go with a skin mount I would put it into a bucket of water with baking soda added. Once the fish expires wrap a water soaked towel around it and slide this into a garbage bag. Then push the air out and wrap with tape. Label and freeze immediately.

Just be aware not all taxidermist are created equally. Some can't mount or paint a fish to save their life while others can make them look like they just came out of the water. Once the fish is frozen safely in the freezer you are free to check out the quality of a taxidermist's work and decide who you want to go with. And you usually get what you pay for.

My vote is to do what Cecil suggested, freeze it, pack it in a small foam ice chest, (the smallest you can get and still get the fish in it) duct tape the lid closed, put it in a box and next day air it to Cecil in November thru January when it's cold out.

Thanks Cecil and Scott,

I'm not sure I would trust anybody but Cecil to do this. If I should get the one I want, and I decide not to release it, should I keep it in the freezer until January before I ship it?

And no, I do not plan to register it as a record catch. I feel that every nut with a fishing pole on the East Coast would be trying to find my pond.

Thanks guys,
Ken

Gentlemen,

Thank you for the kind words. I'd be honored to do a fish for you Ken.

But no, you can mail it anytime of the year you wish as long as it's insulated well. Wrapping the the fish with lots of newspaper works about as good as anything. Maybe add a few ziplock bags of ice cubes next to a fish as small as a bluegill vs. the larger fish species.

It usually takes a least a couple of days this way for it to start thawing so regular ground UPS or Fed Ex is fine, and I ship frozen fish this way all the time. Priority Mail is usually just as good, but once in a long while -- it takes a week -- when it should have taken a couple of days. I've had that happen twice with frozen fish I've sold and shipped Priority. Needless to say I had to replace the fish.

If you get a wallhanger I'd be happy to ship you an insulated box that would be perfect for you to ship it to me.

Just 'cause I know where your pond is, that's no reason to call me a nut!

I wonder how many guys would actually do that? Try to hunt down a private pond that a state record fish came from... I see record fish from private ponds on the internet all the time and the thought to trespass to catch a record fish never crossed my mind. I guess there are a lot of guys out there who will do anything for a record fish and particularly for a record buck. Do you think they'd see your name and try to find where you live on name search engine and find your pond that way? I understand where you're coming from though Ken. I really have no desire to have my name in the record books. I just enjoy catching fish, I don't care if anyone else knows I caught them. Throw in the fact that you're growing those big BG in your own pond has to feel even better!

CJ, I think Kens concerns are valid. There's lots of stories out there in the hunting world about people going to great lengths (some not quite legal) to take a large animal. I've heard stories about people cheating in fishing tournaments, so trespassing for a potential record wouldn't suprise me. Heck, look at the trespassing incidents that have popped up here in the past year.

Famous Confused Saying: Not all who have a fishing pole are considered to be nuts. Not all who are considered to be nuts have a fishing pole.

But, some do fit both categories.

At least here in this county, it is real easy to find where someone lives and to get an aerial photo of their property boundaries. Just go to the county on-line map room, and type in a name. Up will pop lots of information about that person and their land, including topo maps and photos. I can actually see my no trespassing signs on the county photo.

Trip wires and claymores...

Add concertina wire and crossed machine gun nests.

Do you have a link to that site?


Also what website will tell you the size of your pond just by selecting it on the screen?

Thanks

My eyes were opened at how brazen and dishonest people can be a several years ago. A state trout rearing station manager told me they had their fence cut at least once and found some of their little 6 inch rainbows with swallowed hooks and a piece of fishing line trailing out of their mouths. The manager lives right next to the rearing station! When they had large trout on display in the raceway they caught someone scooping one up and putting it his jacket!

Not long ago my trout supplier found fishing lures in the driveway of his trout farm with several broodstock trout missing.

Losers!

I think I'd rather not tempt fate.

We don't need the link Ken. Just directions. BTW does Mapquest work in your area? Just asking of course.

Oh and one thing: When you not home?

Mapquest does not work in "Ken's" area. GPS coordinates do not work in "Ken's" area. "Ken" and his "pond" are figments of your imagination. There is nothing for you to see here. Move along.

An alternate Area 51?!

Now I really need to find this place! No wonder the fish are so big!

Wow! That is true friendship and protection! Sometime I'll let the secret slip about Todd's history as a bodyguard for people like Andre the Giant, Chuck Norris, and John McClane.

Actually, Todd tells the real truth, and nothing but the truth. Our county has been promising us addresses for nearly ten years -- Mapquest really does not work where I live. We don't have addresses. To find my mythical pond, I had to give Todd landmarks like the local funeral home and a big rock. My GPS coordinates aren't even close to where I live.

As for not being home . . . I'm gone a lot. But, "Toofy" isn't



And, "Hannibal Lecter" is usually close by, you just won't see him until the very last moment --



They both love people. We just don't let them have very many since they seem to upset their tummies.

Ken knowing your talents I figured you'd be more high tech than just dogs... Perhaps those guard systems are top secret though?

I can neither confirm nor deny.

Fossegrimmen, N�kken and Huldra is there I'w heard
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-BVowBzVOo&feature=related

No problem on the male dogs Ken. I've got a really sexy female dog that will keep them occupied while I get some fishing in.

What about putting 3-4 layers of newspaper or paper towels over the fish and using a vacuum packer? Most people have a foodsaver or similar units nowadays.

That would work but I frown on newspaper as it sucks the moisture out of the fish even if it's wet initially. The foodsaver material is great but the seals are notorious for breaking loose after handling.

Strangely I've had people wrap a fish in wet newspape, and than seal rally well in a garbage bag with all the air pushed out, and the newspaper in time ends up dry as a bone along with the fish. Apparently the garbage bags are not 100 % leak proof to open air. If you ever try and put water in one you'll quickly find out that is true.