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

Attachment #1, (.jpg file)
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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

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That looks like an awesome bait for a 25 to 40# Orange-mouth. Have you thought about taking it down there this coming Summer?

Tight lines,
Wade

Tight lines,
Wade

Why waste a perfectly good hog sticker on a corvina? j/k You'll have to talk to CJ about that one, it's his now. I've got a feeling it'll be pretty heavily guarded though. I don't think I'd want to chance losing the plug before it got to see El Salto. A few test runs on Mission Viejo might be in order though. Can't wait to hear how he does on it. It was lookin good in the test tank at BWW.
-Brian

hey brian, i finally got a hold of some dowell rods. i hear the AC is the easiest ti nake. you think you could give me a few pointers?
patrick

The hardest part is getting the bait to swim. Anybody can make a plug that looks pretty but if it doesn't swim then it's worthless. As a matter of fact, I was admiring some of the wood carving booths at the hall show and wondering if they could make a plug... haha. The round plugs are pretty easy to make. I'd say make one with a bill rather than ac plug style because it will probably swim better. If you're not spinning it on a lathe or rod machine be sure to take equal amounts of wood off of all sides and sand it as you go. It's easier to tell the shape of the plug if you carve some with the knife, then sand it down and see what needs to be fixed, then go back with the knife and sand it down some more.
-Brian

Brian, thanks again. That plug took a lot of time and effort, and I really dig it. To everyone who hasn't yet seen it in person, it is immaculate. Brian spent a ton of time painting, finishing and weighting this bait. In the BWW test tank it will swim very slow on the surface with the dorsal fin tailing out of the water like a great white shark. It will definitely be on display at BWW until the next Salto trip. Good seeing you again Brian, good luck at Casitas.

Hey, don't you have a wedding to go to? lol. congrats again.

...he catches the new WR bass and your forced to sell the design to Luhr-Jehnsen for 1/2 a Mil, we can get some for $15-30 and then we'll see about the Corvina.

Tight lines,
Wade

Tight lines,
Wade