For years, scientists like well-known fish biologist and Director of Fish Research at Berkley, Dr. Keith Jones, and Berkley Chemical Engineer, John Prochnow, conducted on-going studies in the Berkley Fish Lab have worked to identify the exact chemical specifications needed to trigger feeding in different gamefish. Through their research, they have chemically dismantled scores of natural foods and flavors, and categorized their components into those that act as positive, negative, or neutral feeding stimulants.

"What we set out to do is develop baits with unnaturally strong scent release systems and, therefore, the capacity to catch more fish," describes Prochnow. Shape, size, action and color are also considered during optimal bait development.

It took nearly two decades of intense laboratory analysis and field testing — but the wait is over. The key to attracting and catching more fish is the new Gulp! baits.

<*dv_2*>Through a technology completely unknown to artificial baits, Gulp! actually releases scent over 400 times faster than equivalent plastic baits.

<*dv_0*>Gulp! vs Plastic Baits

"All other plastic baits are oil-based", said Prochnow. "As such, these oil-based worms mask many of the very scents fish detect as food. But with Gulp! we use only water-soluble natural ingredients and more of the scents and flavors we've found in our research that are favored by game fish. These are included in the formula when we make Gulp! products."

<*dv_3*>"Since Gulp! is water soluble, these scents and flavors are released into the water 412 times faster than oil-based plastic baits. This generates a much broader zone of influence for the bait, and we've proven that more fish are caught using Gulp! than the other plastic baits on the market."

Because Gulp! is made from all-natural ingredients, the bait is 100 percent biodegradable. Anglers get the shape, action and color advantages of plastic baits, with the super-intense scent of the chemicals fish desire in a bait that totally dissolves in just 9 months or less if left in the water. "But don't let the biodegradable feature be misleading," adds Prochnow. "Gulp! baits are extremely durable and last fish after fish."

While it took Berkley years to discover the secrets of creating Gulp!, the manufacturing process takes time too. By the time a Gulp! bait is placed into packaging, the all-natural materials have completed 36 hours of processing to become a molded or extruded Gulp! bait.

Bait development was also extensive in scope with input and consultation from many of the world's greatest anglers. The Berkley® Pro Staff includes such bass fishing notables as Jay Yelas, Ken Cook, Larry Nixon, and Gary Klein and walleye experts Gary Parsons, Keith Kavajecz and Al Lindner.

First, they contributed to the physical principles of Gulp!, such as shape, size, color and action. Then, the pros took Gulp! to waters across North America for some of the most extensive field testing a new bait has ever been put through.

"Our pro team of fishermen found that game fish just can't resist Gulp!" said Prochnow. "Catch rates for Gulp! were better than live bait, and better than plain plastic baits, better than the leading competitors' plastic baits."

"Fish can't resist Gulp! baits. They even outfish live bait," says Jones, Director of Fish Research at Berkley. "Their look, shape and size is very natural. And, like the real thing, anglers can rig these Gulp! baits one at a time or thread multiple baits on the hook."

New Berkley Gulp! Super Baits are available in 10 distinct fish-catching shapes, including the Sinking Minnow, the Turtle Back Worm, the Minnow Worm, the Minnow, the Nightcrawler, the Mini Earthworm, the Craw, the Lizard, the Leech, Chicken Livers and the Minnow Grub. There are also five natural looking extruded baits including Nightcrawlers, Earthworms, Maggots, Grubs and Corn.