Forward-Facing Sonar Optimized – Berkley Krej
Eugene L. 01.17.24
Berkley Fishing has brought out the new Krej, one of their most innovative and unique hard baits. When baitfish are predated on by other fish they are often pushed to the surface by the predators as they try to flee. The Krej uses its revolutionary hard bait design to mimic this natural upward fleeing response by baitfish. The unique upturned bill of the Berkley Krej (“Jerk” spelled backwards) allows the bait to work upwards through the water column in contrast to that of conventional jerkbait actions. Once the krej is stopped and let to sink, the bait starts to fall backwards while shimmying toward whatever predator is chasing the bait. The side-to-side shimmying is done by weights that are specifically placed in the lure to produce a low center of gravity. This is one of the three new baits purposefully designed by Berkley Labs to excel when used with forward-facing sonar. This new style of fishing allows anglers to take advantage of seeing in real time how a fish reacts to a bait as it is worked near it. Letting anglers better imitate the fleeing action of minnows when being chased or letting the Krej back down towards the predator to trigger a reaction strike.
“The Krej is a bait that performs like no other hard bait, especially when paired with forward-facing sonar,” said Berkley’s Senior Project Engineer of Bait and Terminal Tackle, Dan Spengler. “It’s a bait that took over two years to develop, integrating key bait fish movements and predator-induced prey reactions like darting, erratic motion behavior, and changes in motion. Whether it’s on the rise or fall, the Krej is always in action. We implemented an upturned bill which allows this bait to conquer the water column in a way a standard jerkbait cannot, but yet it can do so much more than that. There are several ways to manipulate this bait to interact with fish and it gives anglers a solution to the current gaps when using forward-facing sonar.”
Berkley Krej Key Features
- Upturned bill delivers unique ascending & darting action when worked.
- Backward fall on pause (backslide) allows the angler to maintain presence in the strike zone longer and provides a triggering mechanism for reaction bites.
- A combination of ascending action and backslide on the fall maximizes angler control & time in the strike zone.
- Bait can be fished sub-surface or topwater to best imitate the natural progression of predator & prey.
- Optimized for use with forward-facing sonar
- Sinking (1 ft/sec)
- Size – 100mm
- Colors: Blue Vapor • Stealth Shad • Stealth Minnow • Wakasagi • Chrome • OG Blue • Table Rock • Hankie Pankie • Nebu • Stunna Shad
- MSRP: $14.99
- Available: Now
