Mad Tarpon Taxidermy

Taxidermist in Tarpon Springs, Florida

(727) 755-5800340 High St, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689View on Yelp
Mad Tarpon Taxidermy - taxidermy in Tarpon Springs, FL

About Mad Tarpon Taxidermy

Mad Tarpon Taxidermy is based in Tarpon Springs, Florida, a coastal Gulf town with one of the richest fishing traditions in the state. Tarpon Springs is famous for its Greek sponge diving heritage and its proximity to some of Florida's best inshore and nearshore fishing. The name is a direct nod to the legendary tarpon runs that draw anglers from across the country to these waters every spring and summer. A taxidermist with a name like this knows their way around a big fish. Contact them at (727) 755-5800.

Services

Taxidermy

Services & Process

Mad Tarpon Taxidermy focuses primarily on fish and marine species, which makes perfect sense given Tarpon Springs' position on the Gulf Coast. Tarpon mounts are the signature specialty, a challenging piece of work that requires capturing the fish's iconic silver flanks, large scales, and powerful body shape with precision. Snook, redfish, grouper, and flounder mounts are also common requests from local anglers working the nearby flats and nearshore reefs. Replica mounts are available for catch-and-release anglers who want to honor a great catch without keeping the fish.

Service Area

Mad Tarpon Taxidermy serves Tarpon Springs and the surrounding Pinellas and Pasco County communities, including Holiday, New Port Richey, Palm Harbor, and Dunedin. Anglers fishing the Gulf waters around Anclote Key, the Anclote River, and the nearshore reefs regularly bring their trophies here. It's a natural fit for anyone fishing the northern Pinellas coastline.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you mount a tarpon I caught on a catch-and-release trip?
Yes, replica mounts are the perfect solution for tarpon caught on catch-and-release trips. As long as you have accurate length and girth measurements along with clear photos taken at the water, the studio can produce a replica that's virtually indistinguishable from a skin mount.
What makes tarpon so difficult to mount compared to other fish?
Tarpon are large, heavy fish with distinctive oversized scales that require careful handling and precise color matching to look right on a finished mount. Their silver and iridescent tones are especially tricky to replicate, which is why experience with this specific species matters.
Do you mount saltwater fish other than tarpon?
Absolutely, the studio works on all the inshore and nearshore species that Gulf Coast anglers target, including snook, redfish, flounder, and grouper. If you caught it in the waters around Tarpon Springs, there's a good chance the taxidermist has mounted one before.
How do I keep a big fish in good shape on the boat before I get to the taxidermist?
Keep the fish in the shade and out of direct sunlight as much as possible, and get it into a cooler with ice in a sealed bag quickly. Avoid letting the fish sit in pooled water or brine since this softens the scales and skin, making the taxidermist's job harder.
How long does a large fish mount take to complete?
A large trophy fish like a tarpon typically takes six to twelve months depending on the studio's workload and the complexity of the mount. Replica mounts can sometimes be completed faster since they don't require the drying time that skin mounts do.
What should I do if my fish was damaged during the fight or handling?
Bring it in anyway and let the taxidermist assess the damage before assuming it can't be mounted. Minor tears, missing scales, or hook damage can often be repaired skillfully by an experienced fish taxidermist, though significant damage may make a replica a better option.

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