Finishing Process

Captain Bill Gray opened his first studio to help fishing enthusiasts preserve their
memorable experiences by offering a taxidermy service to mount their trophy fish. From
working alone in his garage to becoming The World’s Largest Marine Taxidermy Company,
Captain Gray’s artistic talent has provided trophies of life-like quality for thousands of
anglers worldwide.
Gray Taxidermy is US owned and operated, located in Pompano Beach, Florida, in a modern
70,000 sq ft facility. We have been in business for over 50 years and have handcrafted
more than 500,000 of the world’s finest made and most life-like trophy fish mounts.
Our talented craftsmen, owners
and management are all avid
fishermen and passionate about
the fishing industry. We thrive
on bringing our customers
the highest quality trophy fish
mounts available. Your catch of
a life-time should be a glorious
reminder of an outstanding day
on the water lead by experts in
their field. You deserve a trophy
that will last a lifetime.
We are at the forefront of marine taxidermy, pioneering new ways to individually produce
top-quality mounts for customers worldwide. We believe that purchasing a custom fish
mount is an investment, and just like a piece of art, your trophy mount will be a
conversation piece in your home or office for years to come. We strive to create a trophy
fish mount that will resemble your fish on the memorable day you caught it.
Gray Taxidermy trophy fish mounts are recognized worldwide as the finest salt-water
and fresh-water fish mounts available. Gray Taxidermy is often imitated - never equaled.
At Gray Taxidermy, we are fishermen and women that are 100% dedicated to the industry
we work and play in.
As we continue to grow, we pride ourselves in preserving the family-owned and operated
company atmosphere, while providing you the best in customer service.
Ask your Captain how to capture the moment and
turn your trophy fish into a memory of a lifetime!
The process of getting your trophy
fish mounted is simple...
The Captain and Mate are experts in their field! They will provide Gray Taxidermy with the absolute specifics on your catch to ensure we can then provide you with your exact trophy fish mount.
Once your trophy is completed, Gray Taxidermy will ship directly to your desired location, or if you would like to pick up your trophy mount, feel free to stop by our facility and receive a tour. We would love for you to experience the entire taxidermy process first hand.
Statement of Authenticity
All Gray Taxidermy agents are required to successfully complete a thorough screening process.
Each agent’s personal contact information is well documented and stored at our facility
in Pompano Beach, FL. Trust is never an issue with a Gray Taxidermy agent.
Gray Taxidermy is well known and trusted worldwide by the fishing community for over
50 years. All credit card transactions are securely
completed in the US by Gray Taxidermy.
Please allow 90 days to complete your trophy.
You will receive a receipt from your captain or
mate of your purchase which has the
Gray Taxidermy contact information.
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The Gray Taxidermy team has traveled the world
molding fish.
The fish molding process is an instrumental step
in the making of a perfect trophy fish mount.
Our team has traveled the world making these
master molds of fish. Such places include Bahamas,
Hawaii, all over the mainland United States,
Panama, Costa Rica and Mexico to name a few.
The largest Tuna the team at Gray
Taxidermy molded came from a
Yellow Fin nearly 400 lbs.
On one of our many trips to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico,
Gray Taxidermy molded a total of 7 Striped Marlins
of various size, a 150 lb Tuna, as well as two Mako
Sharks among others.
When we traveled to Kona, Hawaii,
we were the exclusive taxidermist
on the scene to mold the largest
Blue Marlin ever molded from the
real fish.
Gray Taxidermy has had the opportunity to mold
several large Blue Marlin in beautiful Abaco,
Bahamas, over the years. We have also had the
privilege to mold a 1,221 lb Mako!
The largest Swordfish molded in modern time
was caught in Stuart, FL. It was an impressive
605 lb and 13.75 ft “giant”, and of course Gray
Taxidermy was there to mold this fish.
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Molding Process
The art of creating a perfect master mold.
Gray Taxidermy’s team of master fish molders
have perfected their craft over the past 50 years.
The difference in a perfect fish mount from Gray
Taxidermy as compared to the “hobby-taxidermist,”
is the experience, artistry, knowledge and skill
that only Gray Taxidermy has. Being able to
handcraft the highest possible quality fish mount
of your trophy catch, is what we do best.
We are proud to say that Gray
Taxidermy has the most talented
and experienced mold makers in
the world!
These artists start the process by placing an
actual fish in a sandbox. Once they create a
natural, action type pose, they clean and
prepare the skin surface of the fish to ensure
to capture every amazing detail.
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Finishing Process - Knowing how to capture every
detail is what makes a Gray Taxidermy Trophy Mount
Superior to all others.
Once your trophy fish has reached the finishing
department, real or replica bills, teeth and fins are
now attached to the trophy mount.
A hand-painted glass eye is added and a balanced
hanger is placed on the back. A primer coat of
paint is then applied and any imperfections are
fixed and inspected.
The finishing process is where the
unique characteristics of your
trophy fish come to life!
Your Captain and Mate will inform us of any
special requests you may have. If your fish has
an unusual fin or jaw that you like to include
add or modify, then our experts in the finishing
department will ensure that these characteristics
are created and included in your trophy mount.
If you choose to have any special props attached
to your mount, then this is the department that
will fulfill such request as well.
The finishing team also inspects each mount
for any imperfections before releasing them
to the painting department.
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Painting Process - Color accuracy and attention to
detail is the key to a superior fish mount.
The final intricate part of creating an accurate
trophy mount is the painting process. Both
fresh-water and salt-water fish mounts are
prepared the same way. Specially blended
translucent lacquers are used allowing the
background color to bleed through to create
the depth and definition needed.
Gray Taxidermy takes particular
pride in the final painting process.
Our expert airbrush artists recreate
every detail of each species.
Color accuracy is essential to a high-quality
trophy mount and Gray Taxidermy goes to
great lengths to insure the precise color. Gray
Taxidermy has the knowledge and the ability to
vary colors so that they match those typical of
the area from which the fish came, as well as the
information obtained from your Captain.
With demanding skill and accuracy,
multiple layers of carefully-applied
translucent lacquer create subtle
shadings that add the touch of
realism to every trophy mount.
The final step is a topcoat of clear that is applied
in order to achieve a wet look finish and also to
seal all of the color. Once the paint is dry, the
eye is detailed and the trophy mount is ready for
final inspection before crating and shipping.
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Crating & Shipping
Delivering trophy fish mounts around the world.
Although sometimes crating is an overlooked
part of the complete process of delivering a
worldclass fish mount, here at Gray Taxidermy
special care is involved in crating each trophy
mount. After all, the craters are the last ones
in our company that will see your trophy mount
before it’s shipped, and therefore they are also
the final inspector of the product. They are an
essential part of the service ensuring your trophy
fish will arrive in exactly the same condition it
left the studio.
All of our trophy mounts are
shipped 100% insured on trusted
freight carriers to ensure safe
passage to its final destination.
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All fish species are available, just ask.
Brown Trout
Rainbow Trout
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www.graytaxidermy.com
712 NW 12th Avenue | Pompano Beach, FL 33069
Copyright © 2012 Gray Taxidermy, Inc. | All Rights Reserved