Well, I tried to get the finish done by last night by come morning it still hadn't dried completely so I couldn't test it and get it to bass world west today. I can post a couple finished product (almost) pictures though. Just needs the eyeballs glued in, the lip and tail. Maybe some hooks too. I'm proud of the paint job I did on this one. I think it looks cool. I used really dark and metallic greens and blues.

http://www.calfishing.com/dcforum/User_files/3c8711362ac720c0.jpg


http://www.calfishing.com/dcforum/User_files/3c8711472adbbd24.jpg

That is sweet, good job man. You have motivated me. Keep up the good work

Dude, you've got some serious talent. Where did you find a picture of a tilapia that gave you such shape and color detail? I know there was some serious research going into this plug. The attention to detail really shows through. Can't wait to see it in person.

It swims! I just put the tail/hooks on and tested it out and it swims. I'm stoked. It's got a slightly wider than normal wobble, but that's to be expected with those fins plowing from side to side through the water. Looks good though. As for the picture, the website I got it from is down right now (www.fishbase.org) but here's a different picture. This one isn't quite as good as the one I used, but it shows the fish. The one I used has a lot more blue in it and really blue lips and bright orange on the dorsal fin.

http://www.calfishing.com/dcforum/User_files/3c87e7a448168e3c.jpg

Here's the finished plug

http://www.calfishing.com/dcforum/User_files/3c87e6f545e08962.jpg

Brian, just thought I'd let you know I came across a picure of a mounted Tilapia which shows some good detail and color. Youcan see it at Jeffsfishmounts.com

I just sent 'Jeff' an e-mail, inquiring about the possibility of getting a replica on my recent 11.5'er. I also explained in my e-mail how I got the link to his site, so keep an eye out; he might just join us here on this Forum. Pretty good place for him to pick up some business, I'd say! (I also referred him to Fish Chris's 'trophybassonly.com' site).

I'm hoping it might be possible for Jeff to 'guesstimate' what the length & girth measurements are for my 11.5-lb'er, since I didn't get those measurements on my fish before I released her. It was tough enough just to get a PHOTO of the darn thing in time to release her alive! She was out of the water considerably longer than I would've liked, although she swam away looking healthy enough from the trauma. (I had swum her around a couple of times as I was getting my camera set up, so I think that helped).

Anyways, I guess I could make some calculations on the LENGTH, making an extrapolation based on the measurement of my HAND that's holding the fish. However, that GIRTH measurement would be a problem. I guess I could 'backtrack' to that, using one Nico's or Chris Youlden's formulas.

Anybody got that formula handy????

Here's the link to Nico's fish weight/girth calculator:

http://home.pacbell.net/rraffo/calc.html

Now, I see that I'm basing my measurements on estimates & extrapolations (not the least of which is my Berkley scale, which gave me my 11.5 reading, but has a margin of error of probably an ounce or two, and has never been officially calibrated or compared to a certified scale). Man, this gets messy! 'Estimates-times-estimates-times-estimates' can really get you crossed up in a hurry! But, all-in-all, I'm still able to get a number that's not TOO much of a stretch from reality! (I'll give you my 'final number' as soon as I zero in on it with a little more assuredness).

I'm only going through this exercise because this 'replica' guy's website says he needs these measurements to make a good replication, and I also saw that, on the BASSMaster magazine's 'Lunker' page qualifications, they ask for them, too! (I've been thinking about sending them my photo to be added in a future edition, having never had the opportunity before!).

Anyways, like I said, I'll post my final calc as soon as I get a better handle on it.

Here's the photo from the website that 'Bucketmouth' mentioned:

http://www.calfishing.com/dcforum/User_files/3c9122c663f137ab.jpg

... see www.bigbass.0catch.com/id8a.htm. There are pics of dwarf tilapia, banded tilapia, redbreast tilapia and blue or Mozambique tilapia.

All the best and Tight Lines to you USA Bassers!