I’m sure most of you saw this, but it’s still interesting!
http://espn.go.com/outdoors/fishing/s/f_fea_bass_CA_21.7lbs_030530.html
Would you mount this fish? or let it go? After reading the article, looks like this fish has been caught a few times already?
All I can say is WOW.
Gator Hunter
I’ve heard that San Diego area holds huge fish. If I had a place to go and catch a monster that would be it. There’s nothing like throwing a 12 inch bait for big bass. You can pretty much take our concept of heavy tackle and throw it out the window.
Would I mount it? No, I probably take real goods pics and then maybe get a replica made. I’m not a real big fan of fish mounts.
Replicas are getting better and better looking. I should probably throw a sewing measuring tape in the boat, just in case the big one ever graces my line!
This fish deserves to live. I would agree with Blue Fleck and measure it and take a picture. Then I would have the replica made.
Steve 
Holy smokes, a 15 inch perch!! Did you catch that in the river? Sure it wasn’t a sauger?? 
I wouldn’t feel bad about mounting a 15″ perch. Mounted fish just aren’t my thing. I know lots of guys that have fish mounted. It doesn’t make them bad, it’s what they like.
What’s better than a 21 lb bass…?? How about a 24!!! I’ve actually heard this story a few different times..but here is one take on it:
http://www.bassresource.com/features/duclos.html
I have personal standards and ideals for mounting fish………….but it’s personal. I’m challenging my own ideals but have yet to be in a situation to decide whether or not to mount or replicate. That close to a record in a small lake? I’d probably put it back too. Chances of catching it again are better. But that size in a 10,000 acre body of water? I might me tempted! If I didn’t have the tape and stuff to replicate the fish’s detail, I might just go for the mount of a lifetime.
There’s a ton of fish and reasons for which my fish are returned, but I have no expectations of what another fisherman should choose to do. I’m obviously unsure myself, given specific circumstances.
Slop Bass, be proud of your trophy catch and know that another person somewhere will have made the same choice. Others would have eaten it. Another might already have a nice mount, not like the flavor of bigger fish, and released it. It’s a personal thing and any choice is justifiably acceptible for your choice, and hopefully for a great number of the rest of us as well. 
Agree with everything everyone wrote… personal decision. I have a replica of my 50″ Muskie and my first muskie… 34″… Both released to swim again. With that said, I have often wondered… If I caught a 6 lb LM in the Mississippi… would I mount it? Tough call, but think I would go the replica route.
Here is a broader question… it has often been argued by “conservationalistic” fisherman that mount trophies that those larger fish from the waters are BEYOND their reproduction prime and often are just large predators and do not reproduce many offspring, if any. If this is the case, then one could argue it is actually better on the fishery to remove it. Can anyone dispute this? Confirm this?
Until I know for sure, I will go on releasing trophies in the hope to keep their genetics alive and well in the fishery from which it came… and someday cautch ’em again during a tournament! 
Interesting points Reel guy, the article did say she was on the bed and a male was nearby and she sure has something extra in the belly! but who knows? Like I said, interesting points.
I am curious though, I have always heard the replicas are a good alternative? What kinds of issues do they display that makes the replica less desireable?
I haven’t been able to compare replicas directly next to the real deal but what I’ve seen in pictures has really come down to the paint job. Body replications have gotten VERY good! But some of the creators get a bit overzealous with the paint and actually overdo the fish.
I think the removal of the big fish does impact the fishery. Granted, it’s just my opinion based of things I’m thinking of, but I think it does matter. While it’s been shown that the bigger fish have fewer viable eggs, I’m not sure if it’s actual numbers or by percentage. If it’s by percentage, that’d be better because the big girls really produce a lot of eggs. On the predator note, we need more of the bigger predators to maintain the health of other game species and bait fish numbers. I know of a couple lakes that I’d love to turn loose a couple of HUGE muskies and/or flatheads into for “population control”. Too many gills and stunted crappies because of forage competition…………..and they need to be thinned out. I still think, overall, that it’s best to put the big ones back if possible. Besides, the more big fish in a lake or river, the more we catch!
Check out Lake Fork Taxidermy website for your mounts before ANYONE! There work is simply outstanding and reasonable. I had a 10.5# replica made from these guys and it’s very realisitic, right down to the throat- which alot of other ones aren’t “finished” quality.
Check out their website guys. http://www.lakeforktaxidermy.com
Gator Hunter
Here is the guy that did my perch mount. It is actually shown on his website. It is the perch w/the Mepps Spinner out of his mouth
Just had to chime in on the taxidermists… I had my fall pig from last year mounted by a guy in southern MN… he is flat-out awesome. PM me if you’d like his number. He doesn’t have a website… but you can visit his shop. Quite the experience.
packing boat, heading truck to where the big bass are!! j/k
I would go the replica route also, unless the fish was not able to swim or it is dead from the fight. I would then take it home and eat it and still havea replica made. I ahve a 10 pound nothern that i caught on 4 lb test line, out messing around with my ultra light one morning after a rain storm, at the fish, it kept coming belly up in the water, and took pics for a replica when i can afford it.
shane
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a few months back. 
