This idea has been floating around in my mind for a while. Since I'm terrible at making lures, here it is for someone to tinker with.

Step 1: Take a flat, thin, clear piece of plastic or similar material and print a trout tail on it. You could go photo finish here, like a photo of a real trout tail.

Step 2: Put this printed piece in the tail section of a lure mold like say an 8" Hudd.

Step 3: Pour the lure with clear plastic. Not smoke color, but crystal clear.

Step 4: Paint the whole bait except for the tail.

Now you have a very realistic tail that appears flat to the fish, but that generates action. As great as these wedge tail baits are, the biggest drawback in my mind has always been the lack of realism in the tail area.

Most tails are painted black and it looks ok, but it looks nothing like how a real trout tail looks from behind or underneath where the bass is looking. Foods for thought :)