Wes Littlefield 07.27.26
I’m usually a late adopter of fishing lures and bait. I stick to what I know works, and once a lure is proven effective, I’ll reluctantly add it to my tackle box (until I get more confident with it). However, the Berkeley Lab series has earned an important spot in my tackle box since its release just a few months ago. I was skeptical when Berkley first announced these new baits, but I’ve since grown to believe in them. As you keep reading this Berkeley Lab Series BATS review, you’ll learn why I think they’re great and why I think Berkeley can still improve them a lot.
Specifications and Features: Berkeley Lab Series Batts
Lab Series Mino
- Colour: wakasagi, highland shad, gizzard shad, electric shad, platinum shad, phantom herring, acid shad, limestone, silver shiner, or threadfin
- Length: 5.25” or 6.5”
- MSRP: $15
- Scientifically engineered to trigger bites: through four primary proven feeding stimuli – color. Action. smell. Taste.
- LAB PROVEN FOR CONFIDENCE ON THE WATER: Small-batch, precision-layered manufacturing combines the best of our fish-proven formulas into one bait.
- UNLIMITED COLOR AND ACTION: Lab Series™ delivers odor dispersion and flavor without compromising color and action.
- Rapid Release MaxScent Slime: Coating activates upon contact with water for instant dispersion of scent.
- Minnow profile with purpose-driven action: fast tail quiver, natural body roll, and an internal air pocket that keeps the bait perfectly flat at any line angle.
lab series clever worm
- Colour: Amber Jelly Fusion, Morning Dawn Red Flake, Oxblood Red Flake, Payload, Sunset, Bold Bluegill, Spectrum, Violet Morning Dawn, Platinum Shade, or Prism Shade
- Length: 6″
- MSRP: $15
- Scientifically engineered to trigger bites through four primary proven dietary stimuli: Color. Action. smell. Taste.
- LAB PROVEN FOR CONFIDENCE ON THE WATER: Small-batch, precision-layered manufacturing combines the best of our fish-proven formulas into one bait.
- UNLIMITED COLOR AND ACTION: Lab Series™ delivers odor dispersion and flavor without compromising color and action.
- Rapid Release MaxScent Slime: Coating activates upon contact with water for instant dispersion of scent.
- Finesse Worm Profile with Purpose-Driven Action: Sleek body profile, subtle slow motion when falling that transforms into a sharp, snapping quiver when done.
Lab Series Flat Worm
- Colour: Violet Morning Dawn, Amber Jelly Fusion, Oxblood Red Flake, Wakasagi, Tactical, Platinum Shade, Obsidian Black, Highland Shade, or Prism Shade
- Length: 3.6″
- MSRP: $15
- Scientifically engineered to trigger bites: through four primary proven feeding stimuli – color. Action. smell. Taste.
- LAB PROVEN FOR CONFIDENCE ON THE WATER: Small-batch, precision-layered manufacturing combines the best of our fish-proven formulas into one bait.
- UNLIMITED COLOR AND ACTION: Lab Series™ delivers odor dispersion and flavor without compromising color and action.
- Rapid Release MaxScent Slime: Coating activates upon contact with water for instant dispersion of scent.
- Flat worm profile with purpose-driven action: Bite-sized morsels that mimic bait bases from gobies to threadfin shad.
What Makes Berkeley Lab Series Bats Special?
berkeley lab series Unique because it is the first softbait to have customized color, action, smell and taste. To achieve this, all Lab Series baits are “small-batch baits dosed with a proprietary blend of MaxScent, PowerBait and rapid release slime that are engineered to trigger pressure fish bites.”
berkeley lab series bats review
Berkeley invited me to the pre-release of their new Berkeley Lab series of soft plastics, and while I was there, I thought it sure was a lot of fuss for “just another soft plastic.” Sure, it included a number of features that no other soft plastic had, but was it really game-changing?
initial idea
When I first got my hands on the Berkeley Lab Series bats, I wasn’t too impressed. They looked exactly like any other soft plastic I’ve used. However, Berkley demonstrated an odor-release technique using a dye that caught my attention.
I walked away thinking it was a great product, but I still didn’t buy it despite the hype. Boy, was I wrong? Just a few days later, the Berkeley Lab Series Bats almost single-handedly won 2026 bassmaster classic. I was now excited to test them. After running out of bags, Berkley had to ramp up production, but about a month later, I had a few versions of the Lab Series baits in my hands and headed to my pond.
on-the-water-show
Once the bait hits the water, they begin to release a special scent formula to attract fish and initiate bites. The problem is that when you handle them, they remain ridiculously sticky until that layer dries or is used up.
The action of every style looked amazing. They wiggled and moved as they should and looked as natural as any soft plastic I’ve ever used. I know some plastics are too soft, while others are too hard, but I (and the fish) seem to like these.
It didn’t take much effort to discover that fish liked these baits. I have caught many bass and sunfish using Berkley Labs series baits. Including my first largemouth double! Once I take a bite, the fish rarely let go, so not only do they look and smell like real fish, but they also have to feel and taste real.
One of these baits usually holds up to 3-4 fish for me, so they are quite durable, but certainly not the most durable soft plastic I have ever used. They stretch well and will survive many hits from the hook, but they will eventually burst. Secondly, scent release technology only lasts for so long; Then it’s gone, and at the moment, there’s no way to reapply it.
I have a friend who will usually outrun me even though we’re standing right next to each other throwing the same thing. But on our most recent trip, I had my Berkeley Lab Series of bats, and I finally outgrew him. I caught more bass on a single cast using these baits than I did when we were fishing from a kayak on the lake (that’s when I doubled up on bass). I ultimately attribute a large part of his success in catching fish to his use of these baits. The best part was, I used his favorite technique (shaky head) to catch most of my fish (~7 total).
After fishing with Berkley Lab Series baits, except for a few minor disappointments, I have become an avid fan. Firstly, they are expensive. $15 per box for 5-10 baits, depending on the style you choose. Berkley says this is due to the time-consuming process of preparing these baits by hand, which I understand. This is the main reason why this fodder is almost always out of stock. Berkeley can’t make them fast enough to put them on the shelves. My last complaint is about the limited types available, but Berkeley has promised to make more available in the future.
Pros
- trusted brand
- cuts out
- survives well among many fish
Shortcoming
- expensive
- limited availability
- limited styles
Final Cast: Berkeley Lab Series Bats Review
Overall, I have been very impressed with the Berkeley Lab series bats. Each has exceeded my expectations and is truly game-changing bait. I’ve become an early adopter (which is crazy!) because they work better than other soft plastics in my tackle box, including some of my favorite Berkley baits. I can’t argue with catching fish when others aren’t, nor can I argue that this championship winning bait doesn’t require more of a bite than my others.
