I’ve been a tackle fanatic for the majority of my adult life. There’s something special about finding a new lure and learning how to use it, especially when it catches fish. I’ve always got excited when I see innovative products in the fishing industry, and the Berkley Krej is no exception. This was one of my most highly anticipated lures and for good reason. This bait not only catches tons of fish, but it features an entirely new design that allows anglers to target bass in a completely new way.
WHAT IS THE KREJ
While this bait may resemble a traditional jerkbait, it has a completely new action thanks to a few unique features. The Berkley Krej has an upturned bill that allows anglers to twitch the bait and work it upwards in the water column. This is meant to resemble the natural fleeing motion of a baitfish, trigging bass’s predatory instinct to strike. The Berkley Krej has an incredible side to side shimmy on the fall, and actually slides backwards when given slack. This allows the bait to fall back towards the fish, giving bass a presentation they’re not used to seeing.
This bait is 4 inches in length and comes in a variety of different color options. The Berkley Krej weighs right at 1/2 an ounce allowing for accurate casts even in windy conditions. This bait also has a fast sink rate, allowing the lure to quickly reach suspended fish. While this bait is fantastic for targeting suspended fish, I’ve found a variety of different ways to successfully fish this bait.
HOW TO FISH THE KREJ
The Krej was designed to imitate the biologically correct upwards fleeing motion of a baitfish. Start by sinking the bait down to your desired depth. Then using short twitches of the rod work the bait up to the surface. As fish begin to follow your bait, quickly increase your cadence. This closely resembles the natural action of a fleeing baitfish and greatly increases your chances of getting bit. If the fish start to steer away from the bait, try giving it slack allowing the bait to fall back toward the fish. This will cause the fish to reengage with your bait, often resulting in a strike.
I’ve used this bait for a variety of applications, and it honestly works great in any scenario where fish are feeding on baitfish. However my favorite application to employ this bait is fishing isolated cover such as brush piles. Isolated brush creates the perfect location for bass to hide and ambush unsuspecting baitfish. The backwards sinking action of the Berkley Krej is especially productive in this scenerio. My preferred method for fishing this bait is casting it past the brush, then slowly twitching it up the backside of the brush pile. Once I’ve reached the top of the brush, I’ll let the bait sink backwards covering the front of the brush pile as well. This allows you to maximize each cast, making sure every fish in the brush sees your bait.
AVOIDING SNAGS
I’ve been using the Berkley Krej for the last several months, and much like other treble hook baits they’re prone to snags. One of the most common snags that occur with this style of bait is the line wrapping around the treble hooks. One of the best ways I’ve found to combat this issue is to avoid overworking the bait. This lure was designed to be fished with subtle twitches of the rod. Doing so allows this bait to work properly without fouling up.
Another common issue with traditional jerkbaits is getting snagged in brush. This is due to the diving nature of a jerkbait, causing the bait to dig into brush and debris often resulting in a snag. One of my favorite features on the Berkley Krej is your ability to work the bait upwards. This is perfect for getting up close and personal around brush without getting snagged. I’ll often let this bait sink down close to the brush, then snap it upward right before it snags. This is a great method for both avoiding hangups and generating fierce reaction strikes.
MANAGING THE WIND
Managing the wind is another crucial component with the Berkley Krej. Windy conditions have always been a battle when throwing light treble hook baits. While high winds can be slightly difficult at times, there’s a few tips and trick that can help you manage these unfavorable conditions. To start, the Krej has an internal weighing alignment that allows it to cast exceedingly well in the wind. Furthermore, its fast sink rate allows it to sink even in windy conditions.
However, if you’re still having trouble getting this bait to sink, here’s a few tricks. Start by casting directly into or with the wind. This reduces the bow in your line, allowing the bait to sink properly. Another way to counteract this issue is by downsizing your line. This allows for less drag in the water, ultimately causing your bait to sink at a faster rate. Upping the size of your treble hooks is another way to get this bait down in the wind. Larger hooks add more weight to the Krej, allowing the bait to quickly sink even in rough conditions.
FORWARD FACING SONAR IS OPTIONAL
Another question I’ve seen about the Berkley Krej is, “do you need forward facing sonar?” While this bait is extremely effective in conjunction with this technology, you certainly do not have to have it. I’ve used this bait both with and without it, and it catches fish in both scenarios. Starting by sinking the bait down to whatever depth range you’d like to fish. This bait sinks roughly 1-foot per second, so counting it off as the bait falls is a great way to understand your lures depth. Then vary your retrieve without overworking the bait. Pay attention to how you were working the bait whenever you get bit, as it gives you an insight into the cadence the fish prefer that day.
Fishing this bait with and without forward facing sonar is an extremely productive way to catch a boatload of fish. The unique design of the Berkley Krej is unlike anything we’ve seen before, and its quickly become a proven fish catcher all over the country. If your anything like me and want to stay up to date with all the latest and greatest trends in fishing, be sure to give the Berkley Krej a try. You won’t be disappointed.
