Gar Pike question. Looking for a little advice.

OK, which is it? Gar and pike are two separate species world's apart.

 

I will assume you are talking about a gar, since some folks refer to them as garpike. I have always used the real head, no big deal to clean out…..lots of cartilage inside, but the head is not huge like a pike or musky. You would not want to cast the long "beak" with all its teeth anyways.

 

If it's a gar of the northern smaller species (shortnose, longnose, or spotted) vs. an alligator gar it's a very easy fish to skin mount. I've even used fish filler and had good results. On the larger ones I've made a core of scrap foam with fish filler around it.

Very easy to paint too. Cool fish on the wall!

 

I've actually seen far done 2 ways. Clean and preserve the fish, insert a wood block to anchor the hanger or plaque and see the fish between the armor scales. Method 1 Was to pour foam down the throat and let it expand. Method 2 was to use spray foam and spray it through the incision move about 2" and spray again. Both methods can be a little messy but clean up with acetone while its still wet. Cradle it and let the foam cure then card the fins.

 

Be careful cutting the incision, the scales will be sharp and can cut you.

 

I use a cutter blade and then fill with a wood block insert
Sets up like cement
Head is easy to clean out
Easy fish to do

Carl