Don’t mount that bass until you read this

Ever mounted a "trophy" bass that ended up in your garage?

I made that $300 mistake 10 years ago at a small neighborhood pond.

Flipping a jig around flooded timber, I felt that unmistakable thunk and set the hook.

Heart racing, I landed a 7.5-pound largemouth—absolutely MASSIVE for that water!

I rushed it straight to the taxidermist without a second thought.

Years passed. I caught more bass. Bigger bass. Including a 9-pounder in Florida that made my "trophy" look . . . average.

My once-prized mount? Banished to the garage, collecting dust.

That expensive lesson taught me to be more strategic about what fish I immortalize.

Now I use what I call the "bass mounting matrix" to make these decisions—and it's saved countless anglers from my fate.

Most anglers make mounting decisions while adrenaline's still pumping, leading to regret.

Today, I'm going to solve this trophy bass dilemma once and for all.

BEST LINKS

What I watched this week

• What size largemouth bass should you mount? (AnglerWise.com)

• Replica mounts (Bassmaster.com)

• The 5 best ways to mount your catch (OutdoorLife.com)

• Replica vs. skin fish mounts (Kentucky Afield)

• Bass mounts: what you need to know! (Kayla Johnson)

Deals of the week

• Walmart has the BOOYAH Pond Magic Spinnerbait Shad 3/16 oz. for only $4.37.

• Cabela’s has the PENN Spinfisher VI Spinning Reel marked down to $119.95 from $249.99.

• Amazon marked the Plano 3440-10 Waterproof Stowaway (3400 Series) half off, only $4.95.

DEEP DIVE 

The "bass mounting matrix" 

The regional equation

You’ve heard it all. 

"Any 5-pounder is wall-worthy." "Just mount your personal best." "Anything over 8 pounds should go on the wall."

These simplified guidelines don't account for your location. What's trophy-sized in Minnesota might be average in Florida.

For largemouth bass, different regions have different standards for what constitutes a trophy:

Northern regions (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan):

• Exceptional trophy: 22+ inches or 7+ pounds

• Solid trophy: 20–22 inches or 5–7 pounds

• Worth considering: 18–20 inches or 4–5 pounds

Mid-south regions (Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri):

• Exceptional trophy: 24+ inches or 9+ pounds

• Solid trophy: 22–24 inches or 7–9 pounds

• Worth considering: 20–22 inches or 5–7 pounds

Southern regions (Texas, Florida, Georgia):

• Exceptional trophy: 26+ inches or 10+ pounds

• Solid trophy: 24–26 inches or 8–10 pounds

• Worth considering: 22–24 inches or 6–8 pounds

For smallmouth bass, the standards are a bit different:

Smallmouth bass, all regions:

• Exceptional trophy: 22+ inches or 6+ pounds

• Solid trophy: 20–22 inches or 5–6 pounds

• Worth considering: 18–20 inches or 4–5 pounds

But size isn't everything—there are other elements to consider.

The significance factor

Before mounting any bass, ask yourself four questions:

• Is this truly exceptional for my region? A 6-pound largemouth might be mountable in Minnesota but ordinary in Florida.

• How does it compare to my previous personal best? I recommend only mounting a fish that's at least 10% larger than your previous personal best.

• Does this fish have a special story? Sometimes a smaller bass caught under extraordinary circumstances or in a special location has more meaning than a larger one.

• Am I likely to catch a significantly bigger one in the next 5 years? Be honest with yourself here. Consider your fishing habits and access to trophy waters.

My personal mounting policy

After years of experience, I've adopted a simple policy:

For largemouth bass: I only mount fish that are either 10+ pounds OR that break my personal best by at least 1.5 pounds.

For smallmouth bass: I only mount fish that are either 6+ pounds OR break my personal best by at least 1 pound.

For all fish: I take detailed documentation (measurements and photos) of any bass within 10% of these thresholds, just in case I want a replica later.

This approach ensures I only commemorate truly special catches while maintaining the flexibility to celebrate meaningful milestones.

Skin mount or replica: a brief consideration

While this isn't the main focus today, it's worth noting the differences.

Skin mounts use the actual skin of your catch but require harvesting the fish and tend to deteriorate over time. They typically cost around $15 per inch.

Replicas are made from synthetic materials based on photos and measurements, allowing for catch and release. They're more durable and cost about $20–$30 per inch.

If conservation is important to you, replicas are the way to go. For either option, you'll need:

• Accurate length and girth measurements

• Multiple clear photos from different angles

• Weight (if possible)