Pelagic Fish Skins for Bowbacking

[Tommy D]

Does anyone have any experience backing bows with pelagic fish skins such as mahi-mahi or wahoo?

How much of the colouration of the skin gets lost in the tanning process?

[Pat B]

The skins will probably gray out unless there are distinct patterns on them but they should still make good backings.

[Buckeye Guy]

I have no clue about your fish , but most fish loose all there color if you tan them
If you just dry for bow backing they keep some color   

[JW_Halverson]

Those deep sea fish have chromatophores that turn on the color and shut it off according to their moods and attitudes.  The billfish are even believed to give each other signals when they are working to push up a bait wall for the kill. 

Sadly, all that seems to go away when they die. 

[JacksonCash]

I caught a wahoo in Cozumel on my honeymoon - biggest fish I've gotten to date. The skin is pretty, but not sure how it would hold up over time. I'd say it'd be worth a try if you have the skin and a bow to put it on.

[crooketarrow]

  A few months back My friend sent me some pic's. of a osage shark shinned bow.
     LOOKED SWEETTTTTTTTTTT

[Tommy D]

Thanks guys - Jacksoncash - wondering how much that wahoo skin retained its color?

[Andrea S]

Everyone told me trout would lose its color but I still have a beautiful red stripe down my bow and gorgeous darks, lights, and spots. Just put these on last night, they still need to be trimmed, sanded, and finished. I'd say go for it - or if you have extra fish, back a random piece of scrap lumber first and see how it looks!

[Tommy D]

Wow - that looks pretty cool I have to say. Now to catch a 33 inch trout!

[JacksonCash]

Thanks guys - Jacksoncash - wondering how much that wahoo skin retained its color?

Couldn't tell you, we sliced it into steaks and ate it.