
The Lucky Craft Flash Minnow 110 (LC) has truly become the most popular hardbait for California surf anglers over the years. And, for good reason … they catch fish! Everything from Surf Perch, to Halibut, to White Seabass, to Calico Bass, and more. Personally, I’ve tried other jerkbaits with varying degrees of success. None of which seemed to match or exceed the performance of the LC – until now!
Right out of the box, the Battlestar 115 Jerkbait (BS) shows off it’s ultra-clear mini-bill, perfectly blended realistic ultra-tough epoxy paint job and scale pattern, and a trio of ultra-sharp saltwater treble hooks.

The BS features many similar qualities to the LC, but goes even beyond in features and performance. As it’s name suggests, the BS is a bit longer at 115 millimeters and weighs in slightly heavier at 3/4 oz. compared to the 5/8 oz. LC. The added weight really helps in getting the bait out farther, particularly when fighting an onshore wind that sand slingers often face.
But, it’s in the water where this lure really shines. On the retrieve, the wobble perfectly imitates a swimming baitfish. However, what truly sets the BS apart is the fact that it is a slow-rising jerkbait, rather than a traditional suspending model. This allows you to fish over rocks, weeds, and other structure that would normally snag other hardbaits. It also gives you the option to work the lure as fast or as slow as the fish are wanting it at the moment. I found that a very slow retrieve with occasional pauses and pops will often entice a crushing reaction bite … though, there have been times that I needed to just burn it as fast as possible when the fish were actively chasing bait.

The bottom line is, does this bait catch fish? The answer is a resounding YES! As you can see from the attached pics, the Battlestar 115 will catch a wide variety of surf fish in So Cal. I have also had a Halibut and a White Seabass on the line with this bait. Unfortunately, both came off in the skinny. But, it clearly is something most species want to eat.

The original BS comes in two patterns: Sardine and Glow Chovy. Though, they are about to release an updated version with six different color patterns. Be sure to check their website for the upcoming debut of their new offerings.

The Battlestar 115 has quickly become my favorite hardbait in the surf. I’ve caught fish at high tide, low tide, and in between. It’s so versatile that it can be fished pretty much anywhere, anytime. Plus it’s priced right … about 1/3 less than the LC. While there is no magic bait that will work every time, the BS has proven it does what it was designed to do – catch a wide variety of fish in the surf on a regular basis. Which is why we are giving it our highest rating.
Cave Club Rating: 5 Clubs
Cave Club Scale
5 Clubs = The Missing Link
4 Clubs = Rock Solid
3 Clubs = Better Than Sharp Stick
2 Clubs = Not Fully Evolved
1 Club = Should Be Extinct