Impressions: It’s quite often said the devil is in the details. Well, look at one of the Mattlures Hard Bass series baits close enough and you’d swear you were staring the demon right in the face. Available in three rates of fall (floater, slow sink, fast sink), and six standard, ultra-realistic, taxidermy quality finishes, these baits have been under development for nearly two years. Featuring three sections, and a soft plastic tail, the internals of the hard bass are, of course, all stainless steel, and the external hardware includes size 1/0, Owner ST-41 hooks and #5 xxxtra-heavy rings. Did we mention the wickedly, ultra-realistic finishes?

These are the most realistic baby bass imitators we've seen to date.

But baby bass are not the only patterns!

Weighing in between three and a half to four and a half (3.5 – 4.5) ounces, depending on the rate of fall, these seven and a half (7.5) inch baits are designed to be fished at just about any speed. Does this hold true out on the water? Let’s take a look.

It’s quite often said the devil is in the details. Well, look at one of the Mattlures Hard Bass series baits close enough and you’d swear you were staring Lucifer right in the face.

Field Tests: We’ve been fishing the Mattlures Hard Bass since the beginning of the year with baits whose only difference from today’s full production lures lies in the finish. Where as our test models have somewhat of a glossy finish to them, the production lures are more satin. Otherwise, the guts of these baits are identical.

As fun to admire...

... as they are to actually fish.