Berkley Lab Series Baits Review – First Look at the Bassmaster Classic Winner
Berkley just dropped their most anticipated product in years, and it already has a Bassmaster Classic win under its belt. The new Lab Series soft plastics are here, and they are different from anything you have seen in the bass fishing world.
TLDR
The Berkley Lab Series represents a complete rethinking of soft plastic baits, optimizing color, action, scent, and taste in one bait system. Already proven at the highest level with a Bassmaster Classic victory. Available May 5, 2026.
What Makes Lab Series Different
For years, soft plastic lure development focused on individual attributes – better colors, better action, better scent. Berkley Lab Series takes a systems approach, engineering all four key elements to work together:
- Color: Multi-layered color technology that shifts under water, creating more visual appeal at different depths and light conditions
- Action: Purpose-designed tail and body geometry for specific retrieve types
- Scent: Berkley proprietary scent technology released gradually in the water column
- Taste: The famous PowerBait formula integrated throughout the plastic
The MaxScent Slime Advantage
One of the most talked-about features is the MaxScent slime coating. When you pull a bait from the package, it looks like a standard soft plastic. Add water, and it transforms. The entire surface becomes a sticky, fish-attracting coating that stays on the bait through multiple casts.
During testing, the wet baits had an almost alive feel – and that is exactly what bass respond to. The combination of the coating and the underlying scent creates a dual attraction mechanism.
Packaging That Matters
The Lab Series comes in rigid blister packs instead of traditional bags. This is not just marketing – soft plastics stored in bags often deform, especially the smaller profile baits. The rigid packaging keeps every bait in tournament-ready condition from the first cast to the last.
Real-World Testing
I got my hands on the new lineup ahead of the official release. Rigged on a 3/8oz weighted hook with a light Texas rig, the Lab Series baits showed impressive action on the drop and during slow retrieves. The tail section pulses with even minimal movement, creating flash and vibration that bass can sense in stained water.
The sticky coating held up through 20+ casts without reapplication, and the scent trail was noticeable when working areas slowly. On a recent Florida lake trip, I landed 11 bass over two hours working a subtle around docks and submerged vegetation.
Who Should Buy This
- Tournament anglers looking for every advantage
- Weekend warriors who want premium performance
- Bass fishermen tired of baits that lose their attraction quickly
- Those who fish pressured waters where subtle advantages matter
Where to Buy
Check availability on Amazon:
View on Amazon – Berkley Lab Series Baits
Bottom Line
Berkley did not just iterate on existing products – they started from scratch and rebuilt what a soft plastic bait could be. The Lab Series represents the kind of innovation that actually changes how you fish, not just incremental improvements.
Already winning at the highest levels of competitive bass fishing. That is usually a good sign for weekend warriors too.
Affiliate link provided. Product tested pre-release.