Answers to some Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Bait Lab?
The Bait Lab is not a bait shop. We’re a performance lab that engineers custom soft plastic baits for select freshwater anglers. We partner with a limited roster of high-performing anglers who want to be active participants in their success, fine-tuning formulated plastics through shared data and design control to create the top-performing baits in the Southeast US.
What is Lab Access and how do I get it?
Lab Access is our invitation-only membership service for serious anglers who want proprietary soft plastic formulas tuned to their specific waters and techniques. This isn’t color matching—it’s bait engineering.
Lab Access is currently by invitation only. We’re selective about our partnerships because we work closely with each member to understand their pain points, fishing conditions, and goals. When applications reopen, if you are on our waitlist to be notified. We’ll review each application to ensure it’s a good fit for both of us.
I’m not a Lab Access member—can I still buy your baits?
Yes! While Lab Access is exclusive, feel free to check out our shop but we also offer Limited Time Bait Drops several times a year. These drops give non-members the opportunity to purchase select Lab Access baits on a first-come, first-served basis.
To access drops:
- Join our Drop List mailing list on the homepage
- Watch for drop notifications (these baits sell out fast!)
- Shop during the limited time window before inventory is gone
What makes Lab Access baits different from store bought soft plastics?
Our baits are formulated with specific ratios and ingredients based on extensive data collected from competitive anglers and tournaments, not mass-produced with generic recipes. Each bait is:
- Hand-crafted without plastisol fillers* in South Florida
- Individually inspected for defects before packaging
- Custom engineered for specific waters and techniques
- Field-tested by local anglers on challenging Florida waters like the Everglades and Harris Chain of Lakes
- Formulated, not fabricated designed with analytical precision and crafted with artistic passion
*Exception only for salt-infused sinking worms
Do you really offer custom colors?
Custom color engineering is a core part of Lab Access membership. We don’t just match colors, we engineer proprietary formulas tuned to your specific waters and fishing conditions.
For Lab Access Members: Custom color development is included in your membership. We work collaboratively to create unique experiments designed specifically for your needs, from tannic-stained Everglades water to clear Central Florida lakes.
For Non-Members: Limited Drop baits feature unique colorways you won’t find in big-box stores. These proven patterns are developed through real fishing experience and testing on Florida’s legendary waters.
What’s the Soft Plastic Bait Selector and is it really free?
Yes, completely free! Our Bait Selector tool on the homepage helps any angler, beginner or pro, choose the right soft plastic bait for their fishing conditions. No Lab Access membership required. No purchase necessary. No login needed.
We built it because we deeply care about the entire fishing community and want to bring more people to the outdoors. Whether you’re a tournament angler or haven’t cast a line since childhood, our tool helps demystify bait selection so you can fish with confidence.
Where are The Bait Lab baits made?
Every bait is hand-crafted by a single craftsman in South Florida and tested on legendary Florida waters including the some of the most famous lakes in South and Central Florida. This is a one-person operation where every bait is designed, formulated, poured, inspected, packaged, and shipped with meticulous attention to detail.
Do your soft plastics work outside of Florida?
Absolutely! While we design and test in Florida, our engineered bass lures work anywhere bass swim. The techniques and presentations are universal, our baits just happen to be proven on some of the toughest waters in the country. Here are some of the fisheries our anglers put our experiments to the test on- Florida: Lake Okeechobee, Lake Toho, Lake Harris, Lake Beauclair, Lake Dora, Lake Conway, Lake Kissimmee Chain, Griffin Lake, Everglades Holiday Park, Loxahatchee Preserve, Lake Osborne, Lake Ida, Headwaters. Alabama: Guntersville. Georgia: Lake Russell. South Carolina: Lake Russell, Lake Hartwell. North Carolina: Falls Lake, Lake Norman, Chowee River. Pennsylvania: Delaware River, Lake Wallenpaupack, Promised Land State Park.
How should I store soft plastic fishing baits?
Keep them in their original packaging away from direct sunlight and extreme heat. Avoid mixing different brands and types, as some plastics react chemically with others (TPE vs PVC).
Do you ship nationwide?
Yes! While we’re based in South Florida, we ship throughout the continental United States so anglers everywhere can experience The Bait Lab difference.
Why do you charge a Federal Excise Tax on fishing baits?
As manufacturers of sport fishing equipment, we’re legally required to collect a 10% federal excise tax on all soft plastic baits we create and sell.
This isn’t just another tax, it’s an investment in the future of fishing itself.
Every dollar collected goes directly to the Sport Fish Restoration Fund, established by the Dingell-Johnson Act of 1950. These funds are distributed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to state wildlife agencies for critical conservation programs including:
- Habitat restoration and protection of fisheries
- Maintenance of public boat ramps and fishing access areas
- Fish stocking programs that put millions of fish in our waters annually
- Aquatic education programs that introduce new anglers to the sport
- Research and management of fish populations
Since its inception, this program has generated over $12 billion for conservation, creating better fishing opportunities for everyone. When you purchase from The Bait Lab, you’re not just getting engineered baits, you’re directly contributing to healthier fish populations, cleaner waters, and ensuring the next generation can enjoy the same outdoor experiences we love.
This aligns perfectly with our mission to foster a healthy angling community, bring more people to the outdoors, and preserve a sport that connects generations.
Why are Limited Drops so… limited?
The Bait Lab is a one-person operation. Every bait you see is hand-crafted, inspected, packaged, and shipped by the same person who designs and engineers them.
Here’s what that means:
Quality Over Quantity – We focus on small-batch production to ensure every soft plastic meets our exacting standards. We’d rather take the time to create each bait perfectly than rush production and compromise the details that make our baits catch more fish.
Lab Access Takes Priority – Our primary focus is partnering with Lab Access members to engineer custom solutions. Limited Drops offer non-members periodic access to this same level of quality.
Worth the Wait – You’re not getting baits that have been sitting on a shelf for months. You’re getting handcrafted fishing lures made specifically for each batch with the same analytical precision and artistic passion that defines every Bait Lab creation.
Join our Drop List to get notifications when new inventory becomes available. These drops sell out quickly, so don’t miss your chance to experience baits engineered for performance.
How do I stay updated on Limited Drops?
Sign up for our Drop List mailing list on the homepage. You’ll receive notifications when Limited Time Drops go live, but act fast, because once they’re gone, they’re gone.
I’m interested in Lab Access. What should I do?
We love your enthusiasm! Lab Access applications are currently closed, but you can:
- Join the Lab Access Waitlist on our homepage
- Tell us about yourself and your goals so when availability opens, we can schedule a meeting to ensure it’s a good fit for both of us
- Follow our Limited Drops in the meantime to experience our bait quality
- Check out our Shop for our formulated baits
We can’t wait for you to discover our handmade bass lures with custom colors and data-driven formulas that give you an edge on pressured waters.
Do you still work with local Florida anglers?
Absolutely! Field testing with local anglers on waters like the Everglades, Harris Chain of Lakes, Lake Toho, and Lake Griffin is fundamental to our engineering process. If it catches fish in these legendary systems, it’ll work where you fish too.