Kevin Van Dam Forums

anybody have a replica made instead of taking the fish it self and have it mounted? if so how realistic does it look??? ive been catching some monster fish lately and i would of had one of them mounted but i dont want to take the fish out because the lake i fish is really small and it needs those big bass for the spawn....

Im not for sure but Ive wondered the same thing. I plan on catching some of those hawgs twictch catches but Im not looking to remove the fish either. Been meaning to check out BPS Creations but dont want to count my chickens before they hatch. I did have a friend that had a mount done in the last few years if no one else responds to this by the end of the week let me know and I’ll contact him and see how he did his.

I don’t have any but a friend of mine works for a taxadermist and they do replica mounts and they look inbelievable, I think better than the real thing and they last longer easier to fix if something breaks and the real mccoy gets to swim free for you to catch next year and have another mount made when shes couple of pounds heavier.

I told my self that I wouldn’t get a largemouth mount til I caught a 10 lber and a smallmouth mount at 6 lbs.  Closest I’ve come is an 8 lb largemouth a 5.71 lb smallie.

Replicas look exactly the same when mounted, but after 10 years the replica will still look good and the real mount will look dry and faded. I really believe if you get measurements and a good picture the replica is the way to go. Not only is it good for conservation, but you can be proud showing it off for many more years. BPS has a lot of replicas and you couldnt tell the difference.

thanks guys.... just couldnt justify taking out a hawg just so i could get it mounted… i think the replica is what im going to do

Not sure about pricing in your area, but around sw iowa it’s about the same to have the “fake” done as it does for the “real” mount.  T-10 is right, I’ve seen some older “real” mounts that look a bit dry.  I like the concept that the “real” fish gets to live to grow even bigger, too. 

i just looked online at some replica mounts and they look exactly like the real thing.... they are a bit more but i think it would be worth it in the long run…

i would go with the replica for sure.

here in Texas, the state has set up a program that is sponsored by none other that Budweiser..... called the Budweiser Sharelunker Program.  this program is in effect every year beginning on October 1 and runs thru April 30.  if you should catch a largemouth bass that weighs 13 lbs and over, you can simply call the telephone number set up for the program. an agent will soon be in contact with you to take delivery of your obviously still alive fish, and transport it to the facilities where the eggs from this fish will be harvested as many times as possible. 

the fingerlings that are produced from this and many other females will be the ‘stock’ that are used for lakes throughout the state.  you will be given a choice of the fish being delivered back to you for releasing OR you can donate it to the program for multiple years of service.  another benefit of the Sharelunker program is the angler will receive free of charge, a replica of the fish and invited to the annual banquet at the close of the program.  should yours be the largest bass entered into the program, you will also receive a lifetime fishing license.....SWEeeeeeet.

one thing to look for is pictures of the taxi’s work, i have seen alot fo work that the paint job isnt good at all, just take your time and find a reputable taxi!