Field Tests: Well, it didn't take us long to catch onto these baits, but of course, once in hand, as usual, it was difficult to decide between the options of hanging them on the mantle or tying them to the end of our lines. The U2 follows a tradition in Mattlures products as being very well detailed and sports an incredibly realistic finish for a soft plastic bait.

A closeup look at the flat tail.

Reminded of our job here at TackleTour, naturally, we took these baits out with us on several testing trips over the early part of 2011 up to Clear Lake, California. I fished this bait primarily on my TKLC-71MHX Super Stallion paired with a Shimano Conquest 201DC reel spooled with Toray Super Finesse BAWO Braid.

And one of the boot tail ...

Action: Just like the original bluegill, the real intent of the U2 is to be used as a bed bait. Tossed in the water, the bait immediately finds its spot on the bottom in a head down, tail up position. I can be fished like a traditional jig, hopped along the bottom, or left in place like a true bed bait.

... with the tell tail "MATT" on the end.

There are two tails available on the U2, a boot tail and a natural, flat tail. Naturally, the flat tail version has zero action when retrieved in the water, but the boot tail swims very nicely at slow to medium speed retrieves. You can bounce it up and over weed patches for swimming action or you can wake it along the surface, or really, swim it at any depth.

Remember, this is a soft bait - look at the detailing.

There is also a new, floating version that is intended as a deadstick bait and is available only with the flat tail. We did not fish this version of the bait, but if it looks just like the sinking U2, then we imagine it'd be quite deadly floating alongside a tule patch or in and around a rock pile!

Like the larger Ultimate Gill, the U2 has articulated fins.

Durability: We only managed a couple of fish with this bait so cannot comment too strongly on its durability. Mattlures claim is the bait is made of a more durable soft plastic, but given the bait's size, ironically, durability is less of a concern because the U2 is small enough or the majority of bass to just inhale.

With artistry such as this, it's tough to decide whether to fish these baits or put them up on the mantle.

Availability: The U2 Gill from Mattlures went into full production at the early part of 2011 and is now easily sourced through any tackle store where you normally find the Mattlures product. At the time of this writing TackleWarehouse, had a full inventory of nine different colors in all configurations.

But of course, if we didn't use them, we'd run the risk of missing out on a beautiful day of fishing.

Conclusion: Matt Servant does it again with yet another soft plastic swimbait devotees will be hard pressed to do without. I really like the appearance of the flat tail version of this bait but admittedly, I don’t fish beds much so I appreciate the versatility of the boot tail. In the midst of our “What the Finesse” themed year, it’s a nice change of pace to get back to throwing some larger baits. Though the new U2 Gill by Mattlures is undersized by comparison it still delivers big bait thrills with each tug at the end of your line because you’re just never really sure what beast of a fish is going to be hungry or angry enough to strike at this bait.

Looking for the Mattlures U2 Bluegill? Try Tackle Warehouse