Trophy Crappie? Help

[ifitswims]

I was interested in getting some opinions from you guys. My wife recently cought a crappie that was a hair under 15 inches and just under 1.5 lbs. I have only caught a few nice crappies in my life and this one dwarfed what I considered nice. I was thinking about getting it mounted for her but since I havn't really caught that many I don't know how common crappies of this size are, any insight would be appreciated, thanks.
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[Wildcat94]

A 15 inch crappie is a nice fish.where did she catch it?
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[Troll]

15" is a nice one. Can you afford the mount? Then do it. If you could get a couple of 12" to go with it that would make a real nice mount, next to a piece of drift wood maybe.

Check these out.
[url "http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&expIds=17259,23756,24692,24878,24879,26714,26790,27006&sugexp=ldymls&xhr=t&q=pictures+of+crappie+mounts&cp=26&rlz=1R2ADRA_enUS368&wrapid=tljp1286251989281138&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=36WqTIeAI4P6sAPIwKToAw&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&sqi=2&ved=0CCcQsAQwAA"]http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&expIds=17259,23756,24692,24878,24879,26714,26790,27006&sugexp=ldymls&xhr=t&q=pictures+of+crappie+mounts&cp=26&rlz=1R2ADRA_enUS368&wrapid=tljp1286251989281138&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=36WqTIeAI4P6sAPIwKToAw&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&sqi=2&ved=0CCcQsAQwAA[/url]
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[gettingthereok]

that is a nice crappie , , mounting is personal preference not about size, but as far as a trophy it depends on where it is caught at many lakes that is a trophy,only my opinion.
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[bassrods]

Trophy is what you think it is, that is what counts...

Crappie make great looking mounts, and a 15" is a big crappie any place...
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[pookiebar]

I say look into the cost. 15 " is a big Crappie. The C&R record is 16" and the state record is 18.5"

Just to put some perspective on what "trophy" is for the state record book. []
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[ifitswims]

gunsight bay at lake powell
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[hookngrinin]

A 15" crappie would make a very nice mount. Expect to pay at least $250 - $350 for a good quality mount.
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[fishguru73]

If you don't mind the price tag, a 15" crappie is a bragging piece amongst anglers anywhere but especially in Utah. I've caught some in the 3.5 lb. and 17 inch class but not in this state. My personal best in UT was around 13.5 inches from East Canyon three years back. I say if you can afford the proof to go with the story then make it a memory worth the proof. You might check around with Bass Pro shops or Cabelas and see if they can use a picture with length and girth measurements and do a replica for less then the local taxidermists. I'm kinda iffy about whether or not it is available because I have never done it myself but I have heard tell from a few fishermen that it is possible.
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[FishKillr]

That has got to be one heckova fish!!

Shawn
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[ifitswims]

Thanks for all the replies guys, I was leaning toward having it done, I think you have talked me the rest of the way into it. I'll try to rember to post some pics when it is done, I have a taxidermist that has done some other fish for me and he does a really nice job, but at the rate he goes it will be about 2013 when I get it back.
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