In the past, I used to use a shape copier (a wood workworker's tool for reproducing moldings). It has a series of movable wires that move to get a fairly accurate copy of the shape. I liked to use it for copying the vertical profile of a bait and then make a layout of side view, top view, as well as cross sections at various points along the bait. The simpler methods already mentioned work well for only a side view.
Kent