looks like me and you think alike woody! I made a bunch of floating needles around 8", similar shape, also inspired by the bassmaster.
I made most of mine just about level float though, for fishing reallllllll slowwwwww. That way they stay flat when paused, and give a nice little "dart" action with a little jerk of the rod. Nice V-wake as well.
for weighting I put a 3/8" x 1/2" deep just in front of the belly hook, and cut one of those 3/8" x 1" tailweights in half, so I'd assume about 1/4 oz fore and aft.
