FYI on skin mounts - Way back when I worked for CT Taxidermy Specialists, I learned a few things about skin mounts. I'm not criticizing this specific mount without seeing it, but thought that inquiring minds might want to know.

If in fact the mount you are talking about was a skin mount, keep in mind that you are working with a skin that is really no different than a wet towel at that point. It's up to the artist then to make it look like a bass again and maintain proper proportions. Length and especially girth, can come out different than the actual measurements. If the seam on the back side of the fish is left open a bit, you can add girth to the fish. (trust me - I left mine open a bit ) and you can easily make a fish look thicker than it was.