At long last, IronClads soft baits are available.

But will they last long on the shelves or in the tackle box?

An answer is at hand after Waunakee-based Lake Resources Group cast its super-durable, eco-friendly product onto shelves Friday — just in time for Wisconsin's season opener for inland game fishing on May 3.

"Finally, yes, it's been a lot of time a lot of work," Lake Resources Group CEO Ben Hobbins said of the three years of research and development which included partnering with the UW Polymer Engineering Center. "They're really proving out as the kind of bait we envisioned, seems to be measuring up in reviews."

Hobbins said the baits would be available nationwide, but noted they will be stocked at six area Dorn hardware stores, D&S Bait, Tackle and Archery and Gander Mountain, including the new, expanded location in the Town of Burke.

True enough, on Friday the baits found their way to local shelves.

"The first delivery went to Jason Burnham, fishing manager at Dorn's Hardware Fishing & Tackle here in Madison, Wisconsin on the Madison Yahara Chain of lakes," Hobbins said. "I have known Jason for years and Dorn's is a place I grew up visiting since a little tyke and so it was only fitting that the delivery be made to this 6-store chain, mom and pop store.

"Jason has also had to suffer through years of my girls, now 10 and 12, opening and handling about every bait container and contents, who would regularly demand to go to Dorns to play with the creepy crawlies! My girls have a tank full of toads to tell you the type of girls they are."

The baits are available in four series (wormClads, shadClads, tubeClads and shrimpClads).  They have been advertised as a breakthrough for suppleness, fishability and up to 100 pounds of breaking strength.

But the real test is whether the product can do two things: Reel in anglers and reel in fish.