SKINNING, FLESHING & MOUNTING A LARGEMOUTH BASS (FILL METHOD)
by Second 2 Nature Taxidermy Supply with Bill Pierce 1¼ Hrs
Bill starts by talking about the tools he will use. He makes an incision down the back side of the fish from the tail to the gill collar. He skins the fish. He cleans the head out and removes the collar bone. A spoon is used to scrape the skin clean. Then he removes the eyes and cleans the cheeks. He applies Dry Preservative after the fish is washed/rinsed off. He staples the throat closed and sews the collar bone area back together. He begins to staple the back side incision together, leaving a hole to insert the Fish Filler into. He mixes the Fish Filler and begins to pack the fish. He inserts a wooden block and then staples the hole closed. The cheeks and eye sockets are then filled with Fish Filler. He cleans the fish off and begins to shape the fish, card the fins, position the gills and lays it in a “cradle” to hold shape/position.
