The Jewel of the High Mountain Creek
The Brook Trout is widely considered the most beautiful freshwater fish in North America. Whether you hiked into the Appalachian backcountry for a vibrant native "Brookie" or traveled to Labrador for a massive "Squaretail," landing a trophy specimen is a highly visual and rewarding achievement. Florida Fish Mounts, based in Cocoa, Florida, is the shop of artist Greg Cassell, specializing in custom-painted fiberglass Brook Trout replicas that turn your pristine catch into striking cabin or home décor.
The Ethical Solution for Native Trout
Wild Brook Trout populations rely heavily on catch-and-release practices to thrive. Attempting to keep a trophy breeder for a traditional skin mount removes vital genetics from the stream. Furthermore, skin mounts for trout are notorious for failing. Their skin is extremely thin and highly oily, which inevitably leads to "grease bleed," rapid shrinkage, and the complete loss of their vibrant colors. Fiberglass taxidermy provides the ultimate structural and ethical solution. Greg utilizes professional-grade fiberglass blanks sourced right here in Florida to permanently preserve the deep flanks and delicate fin structures without the decay of old-school taxidermy.
Anatomical Accuracy:
Vermiculation and Blue Halos A true Brook Trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) requires immense technical skill to replicate. They are defined by the complex worm-like vermiculation across their dark green backs, the bright red spots encased in pale blue halos, and the vivid orange lower fins marked by striking white leading edges. Greg ensures strict adherence to this morphology, meticulously hand-painting the specific color phases of your catch. We offer these custom builds in a wide range of sizes from 11 to 31 inches.
Custom Pattern Matching (Optional)
While Greg offers custom pattern matching at no additional cost, a photo is not a requirement for your build. If you do not have a photo of your fish, no problem. Greg will hand-paint your replica to the traditional, vibrant fall spawning phase of a mature Brook Trout. If you do have a photo you would like him to use as a roadmap to match your specific catch, simply upload it during the checkout process.
The Final Approval Process
Your satisfaction is our priority. Once Greg completes the hand-painting of your replica, we will email you high-resolution photos for your final review. We do not apply the protective clear coat or begin the crating process until you have reviewed the photos and provided your explicit approval of the paintwork. This ensures the colors and patterns meet your expectations before the mount is finalized.
Shipping & Final Invoicing
Please note that shipping is calculated and billed separately from your initial order. Because each fish mount varies in size and weight, we do not provide a flat-rate shipping cost at checkout. Once your approved mount is professionally packaged, we determine the final shipping dimensions and weight. At that time, we will send a separate invoice for the shipping balance. Your replica will ship via UPS Ground immediately upon payment of the shipping invoice.
Select Your Mount Style
To begin your custom build, use the dropdown menus above to select your Mount Type and specific Length. We offer this model in lengths ranging from 11 to 31 inches. Half Mounts for the 11-inch replica start at our $160 shop minimum, and the price scales accordingly as you increase size and complexity. Once you select your specific options, the final price will update automatically. Proceed through checkout to secure your place in Greg’s shop schedule.
Greg Cassell: The Art of the Replica
Every Florida Fish Mount is a museum-quality fiberglass replica hand-painted by artist Greg Cassell. We do not sell factory-produced imports. By using translucent pearl paints and specific photo-matching techniques, Greg captures the iridescent depth of a living fish. It is fine art built to elevate your home décor.
Choose Your Mounting Type
Half Wall Mount $9/in
A lightweight single-sided display ready to hang with a picture-style hanging wire and one hand-painted glass eye.
Full Wall Mount $15/in
Double-sided artwork with a heavy-duty metal bracket for secure installation and two hand-painted glass eyes.
360° Mount $18/in
A fully detailed, all-angle 3D fish mount. This style is ideal for ceiling suspension or flat surfaces and includes two hand-painted glass eyes.
Driftwood and Pedestal Mounting: We offer a standard Full Mount or 360° Mount finish prepared for flat display on custom bases and wall mounted driftwood. Contact us for pricing
From the Water to Your Wall
We specialize in specific photo-matching to recreate your exact catch. Unlike generic mounts, Greg Cassell uses your photos to replicate unique details. This includes scar placement, fin length, and specific color phases. We use high-quality fiberglass composite blanks cast from first-generation molds of real fish. This ensures anatomical perfection. They are durable, lightweight, and offer superior longevity compared to traditional skin mounts.
Complete the Look: The Coastal Décor Collection
Your trophy deserves an environment that matches its quality. We curate a collection of nautical accents using the same artisan standards as our fish mounts. Our Decorative Anchors and Portholes are crafted from high-density polyurethane resin and feature giclée prints sealed under a crystal-clear resin finish. We also offer distressed wood frames and premium gallery canvases.
We are proud to serve the Space Coast from our private workshop in Cocoa. Every mount is a museum-quality piece of art designed for your décor
5-Star Floridian Craftsmanship
Our standard turnaround for a custom replica is 9 to 12 weeks. This timeline varies based on seasonal demand. For the most accurate real-time estimate, please click the "Current Production" link in our site footer.
How much does a custom fish mount replica cost?
All mounts have a minimum charge of $160. Pricing is based on mount style and length.
Half Wall Mounts: Up to 64 inches at $10 per inch, 65–90 inches at $11 per inch, 91–120 inches at $12 per inch, 121–149 inches at $13 per inch.
Full Wall Mounts: Up to 64 inches at $17 per inch, 65–90 inches at $18 per inch, 91–120 inches at $19 per inch, 121–149 inches at $20 per inch.
360° Suspension Mounts: Up to 64 inches at $20 per inch, 65–90 inches at $21 per inch, 91–120 inches at $22 per inch, 121–149 inches at $23 per inch.
For mounts 150 inches and up, please contact us for pricing. Shipping is calculated separately after your mount is completed.
How do you ship the replicas?
We ship standard replicas via UPS Ground for reliable, trackable delivery. For our larger trophy mounts, we use custom-built crates and reinforced heavy-duty boxes to ensure your museum-quality art arrives in perfect condition.
Can these be displayed outdoors?
Yes. Greg Cassell uses automotive-grade paints and UV-resistant clear coats. While our fiberglass composites are weather-proof, we recommend display under a covered patio or indoors to preserve the fine-art details for decades.
How do I clean and maintain my fish mount?
Maintenance is simple. Because we use a durable resin finish, you only need a soft, damp microfiber cloth to remove dust. Do not use harsh chemical cleaners or abrasive materials, as these can dull the hand-painted translucent details.
What if you do not have a mold for my specific fish?
We have access to thousands of first-generation molds. If you do not see your specific species or size listed, please contact us. We can often source the exact anatomical match for your catch using your provided measurements and photos.
Why choose a fiberglass replica over a traditional skin mount?
Traditional taxidermy skin mounts use organic material that will eventually degrade. Our fiberglass replicas offer archival longevity. They are cast from real fish for anatomical perfection and hand-painted to match your specific catch without the risk of rot or odors.
Do I need to keep the fish to get a mount made?
Florida Fish Mounts specializes in catch-and-release replicas. You do not need to keep your fish. Simply upload a clear photo of your catch — a side profile works best — and Greg Cassell will use it as the reference for your custom paint job. He matches your fish's specific coloration, fin condition, and markings from the photo alone.