Has Billy Bass supplanted taxidermy?

Looks like fiberglass "replica" fish are somewhat replacing skin mounts from taxidermists. Order a bunch of fiberglass bass from China, wait until some guy calls up to say "I caught a 10 pounder", slap the appropriate size on a piece of oak or maple, and ship it off FedEx at $150 COD?

Mixed thoughts on this- a "replica fish" allows a catch and release fishery while obviously skin mount taxidermy does not. But at the same time, what prevents some compulsive liar from bragging about hooking a series of piscatorial monsters and just buying a bunch of replica fish to "prove it"? Heck, you could accumulate a wall full of bogus trophies while doing some imaginary fishing from an imaginary boat.

It doesn't seem like some of the companies have any real interest in whether or not a trophy fish claim is legitimate. Here's an example of a company with a website that states it "isn't necessary" to photograph, weigh, or measure the fish prior to ordering a mounted replica:

http://www.fibertechproductions.com/

Do "replica trophies" cheapen the value of mounted trophies in general, or are they an idea that is becoming ever more appropriate as greater numbers of fishermen try to release most of their catch?

Personally I would rather have the breeder sized fish returned to the water and let the guy get as big a trophy as he wants from China. With any luck that fish might grow up to be as big as the trophy, the lie is mitigated and the fishery is better off.

Most of the angler catch n' release awards are phoney anyway unless they are documented and witnessed by a third party.

Most of my "trophy" fish are pictures on the wall. I did have one 55 pound striper replicated if only because it makes a nice mount on the wall. The other wall "trophy" is a 16 point buck rack I took fifteen years ago which holds my fly rods.

Nowadays, the trophy industry has two levels. The first is what you mention - mass produced molds of certain types of fish all pre-painted and delivered by UPS right to your door - no verification. The second type is custom made trophy fish based on a picture and witnessed verification of length, girth and weight. It's a mass produced mold, but it's placed in the position you want, can be artistically enhanced with backgrounds or the lure you used to catch it and hand painted for details like scars, fin flaws, etc. Those are valuable because of the detail.

Less valuable? No - not to me anyway.