Pike Heads

[DZtaxidermy]

There was a thread a couple weeks ago about how to do pike heads. I had some members ask me some questions about them too. I just thought I would post some pics of how I do mine to give you guys some ideas. This is one just mounted this morning.

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/527/000_0001_0001.JPG

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/527/000_0002_0001.JPG

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/527/000_0003_0001.JPG

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/527/000_00043.JPG

[initforfun]

Hey do you use anything to dry out the head or just let it air dry? But I do like the water noodle. I use pieces of those to wrap my crawler harnesses around whenever I tie my new ones. And whats in the eyes? Ever since that thread I've been kinda itching to do one. Thanks

[DZtaxidermy]

Hey do you use anything to dry out the head or just let it air dry? But I do like the water noodle. I use pieces of those to wrap my crawler harnesses around whenever I tie my new ones. And whats in the eyes? Ever since that thread I've been kinda itching to do one. Thanks

For drying them out I would just use a fan on the head. It will dry out in a few weeks. The stuff you see in the eyes is a mache type material which is used to replace the meat that was taken out of the cheek areas. The blue foam You see is actually from a Dow flotation billet. I carve all my fish forms from them. They come in large 8' x 24" x 10" Blocks. Let me know if you have anymore questions.

[walleye magnet]

Hey Dan,
Can you post the finished produce, it’s looking great so far.
Have you ever done a walleye head or any other fish?
walleye magnet

[DZtaxidermy]

Hey Dan,
Can you post the finished produce, it’s looking great so far.
Have you ever done a walleye head or any other fish?
walleye magnet

I'll post the finshed pics in a couple weeks. Is is going to be on a oak plaque with a brass name plate. I have never done any other type of fish head except pike. A walleye would be just the same though.

[PITBULL]

How much does it cost to get one done?

[DZtaxidermy]

How much does it cost to get one done?

I charge $150.00 for a pike head which is mounted on a oak plaque and has a brass nameplate.

[PITBULL]

I charge $150.00 for a pike head which is mounted on a oak plaque and has a brass nameplate.

Ill probably bee seeing you sometime this summer.
That would look good on the wall.

[DZtaxidermy]

Here is the finished product.

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/527/000_00071.jpg

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/527/000_000511.jpg

http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/527/000_000611.jpg

[rough water]

That looks fantastic! Can you tell us how you finished off the back to make it look nice and crisp up against the panel. I see at the beginning stage it is very "rough cut" but in the finished product it has a very neat and clean appearance.

[DZtaxidermy]

That looks fantastic! Can you tell us how you finished off the back to make it look nice and crisp up against the panel. I see at the beginning stage it is very "rough cut" but in the finished product it has a very neat and clean appearance.

What I used was a two part apoxy to smooth it out. I normally don't like to do this but the customer did not leave enough skin on the fish. I like the head to be cut off about 2 - 3 inches behind the gill flap.

[initforfun]

That looks awesome! I doubt any that I try in my garage would turn out half as well.:)