I have a large Brown trout and I'm worried about to much tail shrinkage.Just finished a landlock salmon and there was so much shrinkage I went ahead and removed the tail and replaced it with a reproduction.
I'm I looking at the same situation here or am I missing something I could do to prevent this.
Also what is the ratio for borax to lysol would like to try it out.
Thanks Johnny
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Because I don't know what level of experience you are at but...
Are you?
1.) Degreasing?
2.) What are you using for a preservative soak now?
3.) How long are you degreasing and soaking?
If I had to measure I use about 6 oz. of borax per gallon but typically don't measure it and many times use much more.
I've never had too much shrinkage on a caudal fin although if I am competing I will build up fins on my fish.
Two or three capfuls per gallon.
I cast ALL the fins and tail (along with the head). Otherwise there's too much shrinkage and there is also a slight risk of oils leaching out down the road if you don't replace the originals. Not much of the original fish left, but I'd rather be safe than sorry...
That is what allgame, magic sculpt is for. The fin rays are very meaty on those big browns. Cast it or build each fin ray up. Now if you are talking about shrinkage where the scales are meeting the tail, then that could be because you did not remove all the meat/bone material or degrease it properly. Also, use clay as a filler in these areas, it is easier to work with and control the "shrinkage"
Cecil why are you using lysol? It does absolutely nothing but add an aorma to the fish soak. They took phenol out of it years ago.
DaveT
but it still acts as a bactericide and a cleanser. If you don't believe me read the bottle.
Try the following:
Put an fish skin in borax with out the lysol and a fish skin in borax with the lysol. I guarantee you will notice a difference if you wait a couple of days. You will have an odor and bacteria without the lysol.