NULL LABS

2026-08-30 // BRAND B — TEST RESULT: FAILED Brand B has been removed from consideration for MAT-001 following significant issues observed during preparation, processing, and evaluation. Most notably, Brand B demonstrated a substantially lower thermal tolerance and scorch threshold, making consistent heating and processing extremely difficult. The finished material was also considerably more rigid than Brand A and did not provide the flexibility or action required for the NT-001 bait profile. Odor during heating was pronounced and significantly stronger than Brand A. Additionally, unidentified organic material was observed within the plastisol itself. All samples had been stored in closed cabinets away from potential contaminants, and cookware is routinely cleaned and stored in a protected, dust-safe environment. Based on those controls, no obvious external source of contamination was identified. Clarity was another significant concern. Brand B exhibited a noticeable yellow cast and reduced transparency, falling well below the clarity standard being sought through MAT-001. Brand B was not without potential strengths. Its increased rigidity may prove useful for certain applications requiring a firmer material, particularly larger or denser swimbaits. However, achieving repeatable results would likely require a much more tightly controlled heating protocol. MAT-001 CONCLUSION: Brand B does not meet the performance requirements established for the current Null Theory bait lineup and has been eliminated from further consideration. STATUS: FAILED // NO ADVANCEMENT

Brands C, D & E hit the bench on 2026-09-01. Final evaluation confirmed standout performance from Brand D, with Brand E and Brand F approved as qualified alternates.

NT-MAT-001 // PRODUCTION PLASTISOL Base Material: Bait Plastics 142/152 Qualification: MAT-001 Status: VALIDATED // PRODUCTION APPROVED

Material: LureWorks Pourasol Pro Status: Adopted as Null Theory's primary production plastisol Pourasol Pro was tested after a recommendation to evaluate its clarity and finished appearance. The result was immediate: the material cured with a level of transparency that was shockingly good — clear enough to noticeably improve how our resin pigments, specialty micas, flash systems, and core-shot constructions present in the finished bait. That clarity directly supports the direction Null Theory is moving toward. Many of our colors depend on light passing through the bait, revealing internal cores, layered pigments, and reflective materials rather than simply sitting on the surface. Because of that performance, we made the decision to transition to LureWorks Pourasol Pro as our primary plastisol going forward.

2026-09-03: Field testing is underway across three tail profiles so far: Split Tail, Paddle Tail, and Dart Tail. All three profiles have performed well and produced fish, reinforcing why each has become a proven design across the industry. However, an early pattern is beginning to emerge. The Split Tail profile currently holds the advantage. Across multiple outings and multiple test color formulations, the Split Tail has produced fish more consistently and at a higher observed frequency than the other profiles tested to date. The data is still developing, and testing will continue before a final conclusion is reached. But so far, the profile behind the NT-004 Null Shad is making a very strong case for itself. STATUS // FIELD TESTING CONTINUES EARLY LEADER // SPLIT TAIL

TBD

TBD

LOCATION: Quincy Reservoir // Aurora, Colorado PROGRAM: NT Labs // Field Testing SUBJECT: Split-Tail Geometry STATUS: Active Testing Sometimes the lab gives you an idea. Sometimes the water tells you to stop overthinking it. Testing of the split-tail concept has officially moved beyond the "this might work" stage. The original idea was simple: take the movement we're already getting from our soft-plastic profiles and change what happens at the very end of the bait. Instead of relying on a conventional dart tail or boot tail, split the tail and allow two independent sections of plastic to react to every movement of the bait. The difference in the water has become increasingly difficult to ignore. During a recent full day of testing at Quincy Reservoir in Aurora, Colorado, the split tail stayed tied on for essentially the entire session. Nine fish made it to the boat. Not one was under three pounds. That doesn't prove that a split tail will outperform every other tail design under every condition. That's not how we do things at NT Labs. But it absolutely earns our attention.

WHAT WE'RE SEEING The most interesting part isn't simply that fish are being caught. It's how little movement is required to make the bait work. The two tail sections react independently. Small rod movements create separation, vibration and secondary movement at the end of the bait. On the fall, the tail doesn't behave like one solid piece of plastic. When the bait stops, there can still be residual movement. Compared with the dart tails and boot tails we've been fishing alongside it, the split-tail presentation has repeatedly produced fish. And the gap is becoming noticeable. At this point, we're not ready to say why. It could be profile. It could be the independent tail movement. It could be the way the bait behaves during pauses. It could be something completely different that we haven't identified yet. That's exactly why we test.

THE QUINCY RESULT Nine fish in one trip is interesting. Nine quality fish is considerably more interesting. But one successful day doesn't become a conclusion simply because we like the result. So the next phase is straightforward: Repeat it. Different water. Different conditions. Different colors. Different retrieves. Different rigging. And, importantly, continue putting conventional tail geometries in the water beside it. If the split tail keeps producing while the alternatives don't, eventually coincidence becomes harder to argue. For now, we're recording exactly what happened: Quincy Reservoir. Nine fish landed. Every fish over three pounds. Split tail producing throughout the day. The experiment continues. NT LABS // TEST THE THEORY.

Testing is underway using FORM-001. This is a proprietary blend comprised of natural and synthetic scents. FORM-002 is a fully synthetic blend receiving it's finalized ratio makeup. Once completed, both formulas will be tested against one another to determine which formula works most efficiently and triggers more strikes across all conditions. Once this is completed, FORM-003 - FORM-007 will be tested alongside of the winner of FORM-001 vs. FORM-002.

UPDATE - 2026-09-21: FORM-003 makeup has been finalized. Currently, this formula is being tested on the water. With Fall coming quickly to Colorado, the profiles of baits will be changing as bass will start going deeper for the winter imminently. FORM-003 has compiled utilizing a sweeter and yet more deep sea oriented formulation. Early returns have been impressive. Impulsive strikes - even fish not currently active right now - have been observed.

TBD

Multiple experimental colors were fished under the same general conditions - in two bodies of water on different days. Each color successfully produced fish, confirming the effectiveness of the Theory Worm's profile and action. The bait demonstrated exceptional movement in the water and produced strikes across the tested color range.

One experimental formulation (T6 - pictured above) produced the most notable result. During testing on a body of water historically dominated by topwater presentations, each color was given four casts, in different areas of the body of water, using different techniques (1. Wacky Rig, 2. Texas Rig, 3. Drop Shot, 4. Ned Finesse) creating different presentations. All tested colors produced at least one fish.

The T6 formulation produced a fish on all four presentations — 4/4 — with strikes occurring almost immediately.