So you’re going fishing, and you plan to take your catch to get mounted? Make sure you do a little work before you go on your trip. Some preplanning will ensure that your trophy looks its best. To get the nicest possible trophy, bring your fish to the taxidermist by following a few simple tips.

Fish lose their color after they’ve been dead for a while, so getting your fish to the taxidermist quickly is important. The taxidermist needs to see the natural colors of the fish to get the most accurate reproduction. Your trophy will end up looking better if you take good care of it before you take it in. Here are some tips for making sure your fish is in good shape when you to get it mounted.

Your trophy will look its best if you take good care of the fish before you bring it to the taxidermist. When you catch a fish you’d like to mount, remember to record the date and location. If you used a special lure, record that. Take a picture of the fish if possible. You’ll enjoy the picture later, and it can help the taxidermist get the colors of the fish right.

Be sure to treat the fish gently. Taking care of the fish will make your trophy turn out better since scratches or blemishes take time to repair and may show up in the final mount.

Put the fish in plastic, pack it in ice, and freeze it as soon as possible. This preserves the fish and also helps keep its color. Again, the goal is to get the fish to the taxidermist in good shape. If it’s not possible to freeze the fish immediately, put the fish in the bottom of your cooler or somewhere else cold.

Your trophy will come out great if you take care with your catch and bring it to the taxidermist in great shape. These hints will help you make your trophy as natural as it did when it came out of the water. Good luck fishing!