Can't imagine.

 

https://www.outdoorlife.com/fishing/new-york-record-smallmouth-bass-released/

Pretty honorable move to release a fish of that caliber alive.  And in a tournament too.  Although, it may have been mandatory to release the fish anyways if the tournament rules state it.  There's nothing in that article about mandatory release but that's usually the way its done.

 

I'd definitely get a replica made.

Replicas look better than skin mounts anyway. And they last a LOT longer.

 

On a MUCH SMALLER scale, I released what was likely the Maine state record pickerel this summer because I won't kill an exceptional fish just to have my name in some book. 

My state has been giving up some absolute monsters lately. 

That freaky huge smallie.

Congrats to that young man.

I'm on the water right and just release the biggest gefilte fish I've ever seen. 

A-Jay

1 hour ago, Swamp Girl said:

Replicas look better than skin mounts anyway. And they last a LOT longer.

 

Agreed.  I've got one of each and I can say with 100% positivity the graphite replica looks much better, and will last a lot longer.

 

The only downside is that they generally cost more.

Saw that on IG, a beast!