Head molds are designed to position a fish for accurate and precise Coded Wire Tag injection with the Mark IV Tag Injector or the Handheld Multishot Injector. Head molds are specific to a particular size and species of fish. The aluminum base attaches to the injector, and the needle projects through the hole in the center of the base.
A wide range of ready-made head molds are available from NMT, as shown in the list below. The size ranges of the head molds listed overlap slightly and the size stated is the middle of the range for which the individual head mold is suitable. For example. steelhead from a little smaller than 80 per pound (6 g) to a little larger than 2 fish per pound (227 g) can be accommodated by the available range.
For species or sizes other than those listed below, NMT can supply a head mold fabrication kit containing all supplies and instructions to make custom head molds. This YouTube video shows the head mold fabrication process.
Available Head Mold Sizes (based on fish per pound)
Coho/Chinook Salmon: 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 45, 65, 90, 120, 200, 300, 550, 1100
Steelhead: 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, 20, 36, 80
Rainbow Trout: 5, 8, 12, 18, 27, 50, 90, 200
Pink Salmon: 2000
Atlantic Salmon: 7, 9, 11, 15, 25, 30, 50, 100, 120
Lake trout: 5, 8, 12, 18, 27, 50, 90
Chum: 700
Available Head Mold Sizes (based on fish length, mm)
Mullet: 45-55, 60-70, 70-80, 100, 120, 140
Sockeye: 60, 90
Walleye: 55, 65, 125
Paddlefish: any size