Trophy Fish Care

[hoosiertaxidermist]

Since the season is well under way just a few things to keeo in mind for your taxidermist.
1. Never wrap any trophy in newspaper-NEVER. Paper dries the fish out worse than not wrapping it in anything at all. I can't believe the people that I talk to that don't know this. When I ask them whether they would wrap a nice porterhouse in newspaper they gasp.
2. Do wrap your fish in a wet cloth-read sopping wet. Wet you cloth as wet as possible. wrap your fish by laying the fish on the cloth and carefully rolling the specimen up in the cloth. Place in a plastic trash bag and add 1-2 cups of water, then carefully roll the fish up in the bag. Place in a second bag and roll up tightly. Tape the bag closed and label with the contents and the date. This prevents anyone from opening the bag to see whats in it and helps us remember how long we have been meaning to get it to the taxidermist.
3. Get it to the taxidermist as soon as possible to prevent any damage and to keep yourself from putting off the delivery.
4. And lastly-Do NOT wrap your fish in newspaper!
If you have any questions concerning fish field care please feelfree to post them here for others to see as they may have the same questions.

[DEERTRACKS]

How long can a fish be kept frozen before taking it to a taxidermist, provided of course that the proper care mentioned above is taken prior to freezing?

[hoosiertaxidermist]

I've had my personal fish, wrapped as above, in the freezer up to a couple yrs. and they were just like fresh frozen. The wet towel makes a block of ice that prevents any air from contacting the fish and causing freezer-burn and drying. Seems like my stuff always gets left behind. When a customer brings a fish into our shop, it is thawed, assessed for any problems and skinned. Then the skin is placed into our degreasing solution where it stays unharmed until time to mnt. Typically, we mnt the fish within a few weeks of receiving then it can hang until time to paint and finish. Some taxi's put your fish in their freezer, where it gets shuffled around until mntg. time, possibly receiving even more damage. If you have a fish in the freezer that has not been prepped as above, do not throw it away as all is not lost. Take the fish out and don't unwrap it, just wrap in the wet towel as is and freeze that way to prevent any further damage. Then let let your taxi know what you did upon delivery so they have an idea what to expect. Even some badly freezer-burned fish can be saved. Bas, some pan-fish and some trout and salmon usually are okay as their scales are very tight in the pockets on the skin. Crappies, Redears and any bright silver salmonoids are usually very touchy and must be assessed on an individual basis.

[DEERTRACKS]

Thanks ht. Much appreciated.

[Woody Williams]

All excellent information..

Thanks for sharing..

Now all we have to do is catch a trophy fish..

[cambygsp]

Can I wrap my fish in newspper?



kidding, im just kidding

[hoosiertaxidermist]

I think someone has been spiking your Kool-Aid