Do These Baits Actually Work?

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Bass Pro Shops BIO Bait Review: Does It Actually Do What It Claims?

Bass Pro Shops released its BIO Bait line of soft-plastic baits earlier this year. They claim BIO Bait is environmentally friendly and catches fish, but is this possible? Bass Pro sent me several packages of the new BIO Bait to test, so for the last several months, I’ve been fishing with it and experimenting with just how environmentally friendly it is. Let’s find out if a soft-plastic lure can catch fish and be environmentally friendly, in this Bass Pro Shops BIO Bait Review.

Specifications

Baits Offered: Crappie Craze, Shadow Swimmer, Enticer Worm, and Brawny Craw
Natural ingredients are safe for the environment and break down faster than traditional soft plastics
Wham Scent Infusion: Proprietary blend of fish oil and plant-based formula
Evercast: Proprietary formula for softness and strength
Possible Applications: Crappie fishing, Bluegill fishing, and Bass Fishing

First Impressions

As I pulled the Brawny Craw from the package, I immediately noticed it felt very similar to most other soft-plastic lures I’ve used. It was soft, yet firm, and threaded onto the hook well. There’s not a distinct odor or oily feel to them as I’ve experienced in the past with other lures. Each lure comes in a variety of colors, so you can choose from your favorites and match the conditions.

I had high hopes the first time I rigged one of these soft plastics onto a hook because Bass Pro claims these lures are formulated to catch whoppers and, in time, completely dissolve thanks to the natural materials used.

Score: 9/10

On-the-Water Performance

I tested these baits in my pond, local river, and a flooded strip pit with many bass. These baits have the action I expected. The Brawny Craw’s claws flutter well, the Shadow Swimmer swims true, the Enticer worm is great for various rigs, and the Crappie Craze has the subtle action I believe is needed to entice a bite from the ole paper mouths.

I’ve struggled to catch loads of fish with these baits. I’m not blaming them for my lack of skills, but I’ve fished the same areas with a buddy using a similar soft plastic from another brand, and he had many more bites than me. I rigged the Brawny Craw and Enticer Worm, then wacky rigged the Enticer Worm, yet not a single bite. When I switched the Brawny Craw from a Texas rig to a trailer on my bladed jig, I started getting bites.

I ended up landing several 1 to 2-pounders using the Brawny Craw as a trailer, but never managed a bite while using the baits on a Texas or wacky rig on that trip.

However, on my trip to the river, the Shadow Swimmer caught several fish. I’ve also caught several fish at my pond using these soft plastics. So they definitely catch fish.

Score: 7.5/10

Durability

I’ve used soft plastics that get a lot of bites but don’t hold up very well. That’s not the case with BIO Baits. I’ve made hundreds of casts with these lures, gotten snagged, and caught fish without using an entire package of the Brawny Craw or Enticer Worm. They’re just as durable as most other soft plastics you’ll find on the market.

Score: 9/10

Effectiveness

I’ve proven to myself that these baits can catch fish, though I’m not convinced they’re as effective as some other brands. But what I also wanted to test was how well they broke down compared to other similar lures of different brands.

So, I created a very scientific experiment (sarcasm) where I filled multiple cups with pond water and let the baits soak in them for a few months. I noticed color changes in a couple of the lures, but the BIO Bait hasn’t broken down any faster than one of the others. However, it hasn’t swelled as much, which could prevent fish from choking on it and then being unable to pass it.

So, combined with the lackluster fishing results and less-than-ideal disenigration, I can’t confidently say these baits are any better than anything else on the market.

Score: 7.5/10

Final Thoughts: Bass Pro Shops BIO Bait Review

The Bass Pro Shops BIO Bait is a good step toward anglers being more responsible for the impact they have on the waters they fish. However, I’m not convinced that these lures will help you catch more fish or harm fewer fish when they inevitably get ripped off your hook. For now, my scientific experiment continues, and I’ll keep fishing with these lures in the areas I would typically throw soft-plastics. They’re not the golden ticket I was hoping for, but I guess that’s fishing.

BIO Bait Ratings