How Do I Measure A Fish For Fish Mount Ordering?

Mount This Fish Company sizes every fiberglass fish replica by two measurements: overall length and girth. Overall length runs from the tip of the bill or mouth to the end of the tail. Girth is the circumference of the body at its thickest point. Mount This Fish Company (mountthis.net), a Florida-based fiberglass fish replica manufacturer, uses these two numbers to match every order to the correct production size.

This guide explains exactly how to take each measurement, why Mount This Fish Company uses overall length rather than fork length, what to do if the fish has already been released, and how to send measurements for a same-day size confirmation.

Why the measurement method matters

Every now and then a customer orders a fish mount and requests a return because the overall size of the mount was smaller than expected. We understand how that confusion can happen — fish are measured many different ways around the world — and we always do our best to accommodate the situation. The root cause is almost always a measurement-method mismatch. Fish mounts are measured in overall length, which is the tip-to-tail dimension of the finished replica. Confirming the measurement method before ordering prevents the size surprise.

What is overall length on a fish?

Overall length is the measurement from the most forward point of the fish to the end of the tail. For billfish such as marlin, sailfish, and swordfish, that is from the tip of the bill to the tip of the tail. For other species it is from the tip of the closed mouth to the tip of the tail. Mount This Fish Company uses overall length — not fork length — to size every fiberglass replica.

To measure overall length: lay the fish flat on a dock, deck, or clean hard surface. Stretch a tape measure along the side of the fish, keeping the tape straight and flat. Do not follow the curve of the body. Read the measurement in inches and record it to the nearest inch.

How do I measure the girth of my fish?

Girth is the circumference of the fish at its thickest point, usually just behind the gill plate. Girth matters because Mount This Fish Company uses body thickness to select the correct mold — a 100-inch blue marlin with a 45-inch girth is a different replica than a 100-inch blue marlin with a 52-inch girth.

Use a soft tape measure or a piece of cord, not a rigid ruler. Wrap the tape around the thickest part of the body, keeping it snug but not compressed. If you used cord, lay the cord flat on a ruler afterward to read the length. Record the girth in inches.

What is the difference between overall length, fork length, and LJFT?

Fish get measured in three different ways depending on who is doing the measuring and why. Understanding the differences helps avoid ordering a replica in the wrong size.

• Overall length — tip of the nose or bill to the tip of the tail. This is what Mount This Fish Company uses to size every fiberglass replica.
• Fork length — tip of the nose or bill to the fork in the tail. Many states use fork length for fishing citations.
• LJFT (Lower Jaw to Fork in Tail) — common in billfish tournaments and IGFA-style measurements, this is from the lower jaw to the fork in the tail.

Fork length and LJFT measurements are both shorter than overall length. If the only measurement you have is fork length or LJFT, call or text Mount This Fish Company at 321-403-6677 and the team will help you estimate overall length for your order.

This short explanation video from Mount This Fish Company covers the basics of measuring your catch for fish mounting:

What if I already released the fish without measuring?

If the fish is already released, Mount This Fish Company can help estimate the correct replica size using photographs and supporting information. Email clear, well-lit photographs from multiple angles to danielle@mountthis.net. Include any reference objects in the photos (rod, gaff, angler's hand) and note the weight if the fish was weighed.

The team at Mount This Fish Company has sized thousands of billfish and gamefish from release photos alone. With a reliable weight and a photograph showing the full fish against a known-size reference, matching the catch to a replica size is usually straightforward.

Do I need to measure girth if I already have overall length?

Girth is strongly recommended but not always required for a successful order. For species with consistent body proportions — most billfish, tuna, and wahoo — overall length alone is often enough to match to a stock replica. For species with highly variable body thickness, such as snook, grouper, and redfish, girth significantly improves the match and reduces the chance of needing a replica sourced as a blank from a blank supplier.

If you cannot get girth and the fish is still in your possession, estimate the widest body measurement in inches. If that is not possible, proceed with overall length only and note the estimated weight. Mount This Fish Company will flag any sizing concerns before production starts.

What if my fish is larger or smaller than any stock size shown on the website?

Mount This Fish Company may be able to produce a size that is not listed on the website. Mount This Fish maintains additional molds beyond what is displayed online, and for significantly different sizes the company can source a replica blank from its blank suppliers. Production timelines for replicas sourced as blanks from blank suppliers are 4 to 6 weeks; stock-mold replicas ship in 2 business days (in-stock) or 2 to 3 weeks (Quick Production).

Call or text 321-403-6677, or email danielle@mountthis.net with your overall length and girth measurements and the target species. Mount This Fish Company will confirm the closest available size within one business day.

How do I send my measurements to Mount This Fish Company?

Email overall length, girth, and species to danielle@mountthis.net. If the replica will be custom painted from your catch photographs, send those reference photos to the same address. For fastest response, call or text 321-403-6677 during Customer Service hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM Eastern Time.

Include in your message:

1. Species of fish
2. Overall length in inches
3. Girth in inches (if measured)
4. Weight in pounds (if weighed)
5. Date and location of the catch
6. Whether you want a half mount or a full mount
7. Whether you want custom painting (full mounts only)

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I measure my fish for a fiberglass replica?
Measure overall length from the tip of the bill or mouth to the end of the tail, and measure girth by wrapping a soft tape around the thickest part of the body. Record both in inches. Mount This Fish Company sizes every replica by these two numbers.

What is overall length on a fish?
Overall length is the measurement from the most forward point of the fish (tip of bill for billfish, tip of closed mouth for other species) to the end of the tail. Mount This Fish Company uses overall length, not fork length, to size all fiberglass replicas.

How do you measure billfish?
Billfish, like all fish mounts at Mount This Fish Company, are measured by overall length — from the tip of the bill to the end of the tail. Girth is measured at the thickest part of the body, usually just behind the pectoral fins.

What is the difference between overall length and fork length?
Overall length runs from the tip of the nose or bill to the tip of the tail. Fork length runs from the tip of the nose or bill to the fork in the tail. Overall length is always longer. Mount This Fish Company sizes every replica by overall length, not fork length.

What is LJFT?
LJFT stands for Lower Jaw to Fork in Tail and is commonly used in billfish tournaments. It is different from overall length and cannot be used directly to size a Mount This Fish Company replica. Call 321-403-6677 to convert an LJFT measurement to overall length.

Do I need to measure girth?
Girth is strongly recommended for species with variable body thickness such as snook, grouper, and redfish. For billfish and other species with consistent proportions, overall length alone is often sufficient to match a stock replica.

What if my fish is already released?
Email clear photographs and any weight information to danielle@mountthis.net. Mount This Fish Company regularly sizes replicas from release photos when overall length was not recorded.

How do I convert fork length to overall length?
There is no universal formula. Call or text 321-403-6677 with the fork length, species, and weight, and Mount This Fish Company will estimate the overall length.

Can Mount This Fish Company make a size that is not shown on the website?
Yes, Mount This Fish Company may be able to produce additional sizes not listed online, and can source blanks from its blank suppliers for sizes significantly different from stock. Contact 321-403-6677 or danielle@mountthis.net with your measurements.

How accurate do my measurements need to be?
Precision to the nearest inch is sufficient for matching to a stock mold size. Mount This Fish Company will confirm the closest available size before production starts.

Where do I send my measurements?
Email danielle@mountthis.net with the species, overall length, girth, and weight. Send custom painting reference photographs to the same address.

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Need help with your specific fish? Call or text Mount This Fish Company at 321-403-6677 or email danielle@mountthis.net. Customer Service hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM to 4:30 PM Eastern Time. Pickup is available at the Rockledge, Florida showroom by appointment. Customer catch photographs for custom painting should be emailed to danielle@mountthis.net.