Hey was wondering what you crankbait carvers use to make a pattern for the profile of the bait before you carve. Ive been out all morning messing around with scrap wood and a band saw just trying to get a pattern to look right from the side before i start rounding the bait.

think im gonna play with AutoCAD some..

A picture or the actual bait to start with.  I put the bait on a copy machine and get a profile shot.  The pictures I mess with in powerpoint or ms pics to resize and make changes.  I put all my templates on thin heavy cardboard, if it's a bait I really like I cut the pattern out in 1/4 poplar.

I start most of my new cranks on draft paper. I use a ruler, a compass, and a protracor to get started. Once the body is designed and measured, I get the lip angle for the type of lure I am trying to design. After the design is what I like, I transfer it over to something more rigid. I use cardboard, stencil material, or whatever I come across.

is there a way to make the curves flow smoothly. My problem is the bottom throat to tail. I cannot make the  transition look right and I end up with a funny looking bait. Ill just keep playing im sure ill get it soon enough.

use the curve of an existing bait and add it to your design.  That will get you in the ball park.   I will take an idea and draw it using only straight lines first and start adding the curves second.  I'll take a pic of 1 tomorrow to show you.