I know Muskie fisherman are incredible conservationists and do everything possible to keep their fish and fishery healthy. I assume most wouldn’t be interested in a skin mount, so let’s talk replicas.
As a taxidermist I have a couple questions for you guys.
What size fish would you consider having a replica made and what would be a fair price in your eyes for the size fish you’re speaking of?
I said at the start of the season that if I got a 53″ I’d get a repo done. Now that I got that fish I just need to save up some $$ and it’s a done deal. As far as price a few of the big name guys get around $12.50 per ” I’m thinking that’s about rite. What do you charge per ” on a repo?
Well, I’m a little higher than that. I rather give quotes over the phone. Click on my banner below for my phone number.
The one thing that I guarantee is that you will not leave my shop with a fish that isn’t perfect to you.
What helps me a lot are photo’s (lots of photo’s) from a number of angles and good measurements. With photo’s I can even make deformities as accurate as the photo allows!
With those two pieces and some input from you, it will be proportioned and colored exactly as your fish was.
Guaranteed!
Hey! Congrats on the 53! That’s huge! 
Anything over 50″, I’m clubbing and putting on a stringer. 
Especially if I’m fishing with Bob!! 
50″ +. I can’t comment on price, because I have no idea what the going rate is. But, if you’d do one for $25.00, I’ll take two.
Thanks for supporting IDO!! 
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Anything over 50″, I’m clubbing and putting on a stringer.
I’m thinking John is talking about replicating…not eating. 
I’m chewing on the idea of having a replica made of this fish. It was my daughter’s first musky, caught this September, at 42″. Not a giant, but a quality fish, and we have some great memories associated with it.
Great picture Jason, Who took the picture of you with the fish? was it your daughter?
how many muskie replicas do you get requested?
A big fat 52″ or over would look sweet on the wall……it would all depend on the story and who was with me at the time however. 
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Thanks for supporting IDO!!
Thanks for having me here! I’ve read many of your posts Kooty.
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how many muskie replicas do you get requested?
I really can’t answer that too accurately. I’ve done over a hundred I’m very sure. I never thought of taking pictures of them. I did have a fellow take some pictures of some mammal mounts once. Getting back to Musky’s, I have to have a good color photo of them.
There are so many different types, spots and bars. Many times the colors seem to float on top of other colors. They do take more time that other types of fish. I like to think my customers would rather wait a little longer and have their memory perfect than to hurry it along and end up with something you’re not happy with.
I’m not good at typing and I have to go.
I want to be on line once a day if possible, I’m not sure how that’s going to work but please feel free to call with questions!
Jason that is a priceless memory of your daughter and her fish! A true memory to capture!
My goal was 50 inches which I finally hit last fall. I’ve been chasing muskies for better than 10 years now. Now that I have 1 on the wall, I’m really not sure how big my next one has to be to put on the wall.
If your married, 12.50 an inch is probably about half the cost. Most likely, your wife is going to want something equal in value. 
Hey John,
Any chance you could share some photos with us. I would love to see your work. I am interested in seeing some muskies 
I told myself a long time ago, that when I got a 50 incher I would have a replica made. I hit the 50 inch mark, but never did have the replica done. My personal best is going to cost me an arm and a leg, perhaps a wife 
I actually caught a 50.5 some years ago, and heaviest fish is just shy of 30#, but the fish I want to mount is a 42″ tiger. It was a beautiful fish!!! I actually was guiding/taking a fellow along that wanted to put a musky segment in his outdoor show. I tried to talk him into a guide (a real guide) but no so I row trolled suckers ala Tony Rizzo. It was a beauty fish, if I can find the pics, I’ll maybe slap a couple up of it. I have a picture of a pair of Brook Trout from years ago that I would like to replicate as the larger one may have replaced the current IA state record, oh well…
Mark
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Hey John,
Any chance you could share some photos with us. I would love to see your work. I am interested in seeing some muskie
John contacted me the other day about your request Bob. He’s mailing some photos that I’ll scan and post.
He didn’t say what he’s up to, but he mentioned that he received a number of crates from New Zealand and was tied up.
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I’m chewing on the idea of having a replica made of this fish. It was my daughter’s first musky, caught this September, at 42″. Not a giant, but a quality fish, and we have some great memories associated with it.
replica or not…speaking of memories…you have two great photos there…I loved the first and last…captured the entire experience…and that the moment was shared by both of you…
great photos!
Almost three months and I’m back. Man what a busy couple months!
These are replicas. I know someone will ask the length of these fish and I’ll tell you now that I don’t know. I have to find the paper work for them. I hope the colors show up on these computer screens.
That is a pike in the coffee table.
They don’t look the same as they do in real life. The spots just don’t “float” on film.
Those look great! Minimum for me would be 50″ Its the iconic length that all musky fisherman seek when they first start out I think. 
Maybe thats just me
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Those look great! Minimum for me would be 50″ Its the iconic length that all musky fisherman seek when they first start out I think.
first of all, that’s some very nice work indeed…that (I’m assuming) tiger is amazing…(as are the rest)…
Love it when folks get reps of great looking fish…and not just ‘tie them to a length’…
I have a 47″ pike that no where near captures the beauty that this species is capable of … spectacular fish? oh yes it is…pretty as those hammer handles? Not so much…
every fish is a trophy for someone…
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