I was reading through a couple of the blogs I track each at day work and came across this robotic fish project some MIT students created. I can't wait till they make a trout version and figure out a way to hook a line to the bait and then we can just keep it swimming in all different directions :+

Just had to share - look at their prototypes I wonder if they got there hands on a couple of jointed baits before making these?

http://deals.venturebeat.com/2009/08/24/mit-researchers-create-robotic-fish-for-underwater-exploration/

I've been thinking about this one for a long time, and I have no doubt that others have been thinking about it for a long time too. There's a very interesting one that UC Berkeley Students made a while back. The page below has been online since at least 2006. Yes, if you had this at Casitas..........

http://bleex.me.berkeley.edu/calibot.htm

I thought a lot about trying to get something like this made, and went so far as to email with the professor in the link above, but I've figured out over the years that my skills at making lures are ... poor at best.

Someday one of the mad scientist garage guys will crack this one. I'll be in line to buy it.

I dont think it would be very profitable. I am sure it would be banned from tournaments as soon as the word got out.
I also think it would be expensive and it would probably be difficult to make it durrable. You see a robot fish swimming in a pool and it looks cool but its not being casted. Its not being shaken violently by a big fish or what if it hit rocks etc.
I do belive at some point sombody will pull it off but there are some big hurdles to clear.
Rob you find the robotics expert willing to do it and I will help with the cosmetics and action :-)