Looking for a critique on my latest Large Mouth !

[Jeremy Smith]

This is my 9th or 10th fish mount. Any advice will be appreciated.

[Jeremy Smith]

Here is another photo.

[sdrenth]

First thing that I see is the mouth is spread way too far open. A bass could not naturally open it's mouth that wide. The tail doesn't look bad but I think the pectoral, anal, and soft dorsal fins could be spread a little further also the pectoral fin seems to be slanted downward too far.. The paint looks a little dark to me the color looks good but the stripes seem very black. It could also use some pink flesh tones under the mouth and around the anal fin IMO.

[Jeremy Smith]

Thanks Steve. This was done for another taxidermist and he says his customers like the mouth as wide as possible, I personally don't.

[FishArt]

Paint job is pretty good. Could use some tipping - golds in the upper back especially. White is a bit stark at the belly. Maybe use some pearls here. Tuck fins closer to body. Tail base has some issues and I'd open up the tail a bit more. Rebuilding everywhere, especially base of pec fin. Speaking of pec fin, it has a slight awkward downward positioning. Mouth way too open. Eye looks stoic. Switch brands. Can't tell from pics if it's set properly. The body in general doesn't look like a perfect fit. Vent and pelvic fins look a bit off. The dark markings below the main horizontal markings should transition from dark to light and completely fade away as they approach the belly. And some more subtle pinks here adn there will livent he mount up. For your 9th or 10th fish it's not bad....

[CrabCrazy]

stop making that bass choke....close the mouth a little

[Rogerst]

when you open the mouth push the tounge down too.  this opens up the whole gill cover.   I agree with the mouth being open too far but customers like it open.....just less of it. 
THe soft dorsal rays seem to be at an odd angle compared to the spiny dorsal and the body.  Caudal needs to be open much more for a fish in this position. 
Paint looks OK  spend more time on anatomy than paint. 
My 2 cents

[Speckled Trout]

Always try to focus the eyes on something instead of giving the fish a blank stare.

I agree it needs some scale tipping, as well.

Also, the the shape of the head and mouth isn't correct.  Study more reference when trying to achieve a natural look to the fish.

As also mentioned, the spot pattern is a little dark, especially on the head.

Keep at it, though.  You'll get it.

[Jeremy Smith]

Thank you all. I see what you are saying about the blank stare , Speckled Trout, but what should I do to correct it?

[FishArt]

Thank you all. I see what you are saying about the blank stare , Speckled Trout, but what should I do to correct it?

Again, I don't care for the eye you used to begin with. But, regardless if you want to fix it you'll need to dremmel it out and replace it with another eye. Look at some close ups of fish eyes and see how they tilt and such. Playing with the tilting and setting the eye down and back a little IMO adds to the realism. I've seen some very drastic tilts that look pretty cool. But, personally I usually don't have the confidence to get too crazy here. Again, look at lots of reference and you'll start noticing how much the fish eyes move around int heir sockets...

[Brian W]

X2 with above comments, main focus on next one in order of priority should be proper form fit, mouth more closed, eliminate fin flagging, eye set, then paint. That mount would look at least 50% better with just the mouth and fin adjustments. Not too bad though..............

[Jeremy Smith]

Marty, Thanks again! What eyes do you reccomend? I have been using Van Dykes. I had another comment about these eyes and thought it was just the light in the photo.

[FishArt]

Marty, Thanks again! What eyes do you reccomend? I have been using Van Dykes. I had another comment about these eyes and thought it was just the light in the photo.

Personal preference. I like Flex Eyes for their ease of usage and they're a solid, commercial eye. Others like to custom paint their own and for that Lumsden's eyes are the ones to go with...

[Dave Smith]

I'm horrible at this because I've never seen a mount that doesn't have at least some good, and this one has LOT'S of good!!!! Looking at that side view close-up, it looks like alot of bass that I've caught in our coastal lakes- it looks like it's about to flop back into the water to me! Congrats and keep it going. DS (sorry I know this isn't helpful critique, just couldn't help myself)

[Jeremy Smith]

Thank's Dave.