Real World Tests: To test the Bait Mafia Bait Coffin we employed the box just like any other 3700 size box, using it to carry everything from jigs and hardbaits to plastics and tools when fishing out of our backpacks or boats. Since durability is one of the advertised key features we also devised a few other stress tests to see if we could kill the Bait Coffin.

A closer look at the reinforced latches

Operation: We loaded up two Bass Mafia Bait Coffins and headed out into the field to see just how the boxes would perform. In the boat the boxes slid right into the standard storage compartments and the weight really wasn’t an issue. On the other hand when hiking from spot to spot during shore fishing with one or two of these boxes in our backpacks the increased weight was evident.

This box is excellent for holding jigs

If you are only using only one of these boxes you will be able to quickly identify the box and draw the right lures, but if you are using multiple Bait Coffins you will need to label the boxes for easy identification as they are not transparent. This really isn’t an issue for me as I typically label all of my boxes on two sides, but for some anglers the lack of ability to look through the top of the box and see exactly which baits are inside could be viewed as an inconvenience.

A gasket surrounds the lid to form a watertight seal

The Bait Coffin has 48 separate compartments but they are quite narrow, which may be fine for something as compact as a jig, but for most baits anglers will find they need to remove at least half of the dividers to make the appropriate room. Because of the angled edges there are four different sized dividers to store. The beauty of this box is that there are so many options for configuration and storing anything from jigs to swimbaits is easy.

Going for a dip

To test the box’s waterproof characteristics I dipped the box in the water and found that it was also surprisingly buoyant. I was able to toss the box right into the lake and it didn’t matter how the box entered the water, it would quickly float up to the surface after impact. When I opened the box I did observe some water had entered the box but it was by no means flooded. A gasket surrounds the entire edge of the lid and forms a semi-watertight seal when the box is latched shut.

Simulating a drop off a bridge

When fishing off a bridge I simulated dropping the Bait Coffin over 15 feet onto the rock lined river’s edge. The box simply bounced off the rocks and into the river where I had to scramble to chase the floating box downstream. When I finally caught up with the Bait Coffin I found a few cosmetic scratches but absolutely no cracked plastic.

The Bait Coffin ends up in the water and floats downstream

While the box had survived the fall how would it stand up to a crush test? I jumped up and down on the box, even stood two boxes together and did my best sumo impression and  yet could do nothing to break the tops on the boxes or snap the hinges. The Bait Coffin was proving to be quite hard to kill and it was obvious we needed something a little more drastic. I turned to Cal and said “let’s go get the Jeep.”

Putting the Bait Coffin in harms way

Next Section: Time to put an end to the Bait Coffin