Celina Hangs Up Exact Replica Of Record Smallmouth Bass At City Hall

Celina residents may notice some new decor while stopping by city hall this week.

The town displaying an exact replica of the world’s largest smallmouth bass in its lobby.

“Mr. Butch did a super job with the taxidermy on that fish and just very very proud of it,” Mayor Luke Collins said. “I know we are going to get a lot of comments on it, and I’m sure there is going to be a lot of people that want one just like it.”

Butch Skillern of Butch’s Taxidermy based in Bowling Green, Kentucky handcrafted the piece. Collins said the some 11-pound fish was caught at Dale Hollow Lake. David Hayes reeled in the world record fish in 1955.

Collins said the plan is to use the fish as a model to create a 20-22 foot statue, which would also be a world record. Collins said he would like for Skillern to paint that model, as well.

“Right now the largest is in Wisconsin, and it is about 15 feet,” Collins said. “So not only would we have the record smallmouth bass, but also the record smallmouth bass statue.”

Collins said the $30,000 price tag would be paid through federal COVID money. Collins said the city has not solicited bids for the project yet.