Retrieve: The HPF is a very active bait in the water giving off a good amount of vibration that you can really feel through the rod and into your hands. It’s rated to about seven feet and while I’m not quite sure I was able to get it down that far, I’ll give it the benefit of the doubt.

Like the previously reviewed Blitz, the HPF features a circuit board diving lip...

... and excellent detailing around the head ...

I certainly had more confidence in the original version of this bait rather than the spec 2. The silent version has less feedback in the water but is a nice option to have for those really tough bite days. Of course, because I threw the original version more, I caught more fish on that bait than the spec 2. Hardly a scientific result.

The HPF was designed by Japanese Bass Pro Toshinari Namiki and bears his signature

Durability: I only fished the HPF crank on a handful of trips – a far shorter cycle than the Blitz – so it didn’t get a very good challenge to test durability. From what I’ve experienced with the other O.S.P. hardbaits, the finishes hold up pretty well, but they don’t employ as many of those highly reflective finishes that tend to flake off if you breath on the m too hard (ala Megabass and Lucky Craft), so they just naturally tend to last. The hooks, if fished on light line, are fine, but if you plan on throwing this bait with twenty pound test, then I’d consider switching out the hooks.

One last look at the HPF crank, this time in "Red Tiger"

Effectiveness: The HPF crank had a shorter review cycle than the Blitz because I was able to catch fish with it pretty quickly. Maybe I just have better luck with flat sided cranks, but I caught fish in expected places with this bait along weedlines, up and over rocks, over weedbeds, etc.. This bait catches fish, there’s no doubt about this one.

The O.S.P. HPF in original configuration or spec 2, take your pick

Availability: The real trick is finding this bait. For whatever reason, though available in the United States through a distributor, actual distribution of the product is very limited and you have to search in the small specialty shops to find it. Maybe that’s more of an advantage than a disadvantage depending upon who you are, but I think this is a bait worth having.

Ratings: (We've re-calibrated our ratings standard for 2008 and have included a key at the bottom of the following matrix as a guide):

Pluses and Minuses:

The O.S.P. HPF is a fun bait to throw!

Conclusion: Well, it looks like we’re back no a positive note with O.S.P.. The Rudra had excited us to want try more baits from this manufacturer, but the Blitz kind of sacked that enthusiasm. The HPF has swung us back over to the positive end of the review scale so one can only wonder what’s in store for the next product from this manufacturer. I can say, that bait is already tied on but may take a while to figure out because it is, once again, rather unique. O.S.P. pushes the envelope in what to expect from a hardbait in this current day and we really appreciate their aggressiveness and forward thinking approach.

Looking for the O.S.P. HPF? Try Tackle Warehouse