3 New Lures Optimized for Forward-Facing Sonar

With advancements in fishing electronics like forward-facing sonar, also known as live sonar, anglers and fishing companies are adapting new tactics and inventions to best utilize the emerging technology. The ability to see fish and underwater structures in real-time has been a game changer for fishermen, almost to the point where some argue it's an unfair advantage. Unfair or not, live sonar has opened up a world of new opportunities for anglers to target untapped schools of congregating fish, making each outing more exciting and productive.

This month, Berkley Fishing announced a line of lures that promise even better ways to fish with forward-facing sonar. The all-new Berkley Krej, Finisher, and Power Switch are designed specifically to appear on screen so anglers can watch exactly how fish are reacting to their presentation. This technology is providing outdoorsmen and women with instant, invaluable feedback to optimize their time on the water. These baits are carefully crafted to be worked in varying ways to be able to adjust to what the fish want in any given situation.

“We’ve known that forward-facing sonar was coming and have spent the past few years learning about the trend in anticipation of it catching on," said Berkley’s Chief Brand and Product Officer Jon Schlosser. "Its impact on how anglers are approaching fisheries is advancing each day, and we at Berkley have made a conscious effort to take on the responsibility of providing those anglers with the best baits possible to interact with fish on forward-facing sonar. By taking our science-based approach to bait development and applying it to FFS the team at Berkley Labs has been able to create some truly special baits that are proven to catch more fish with FFS. It’s exciting to see how revolutionary these baits are, not only in their design but in how they enable anglers to manipulate their baits in ways that have never been done before.”

Berkley Krej

Tom Redington, Texas-based MLF Pro, offers a quick look at the new Berkley Krej. The Krej, like its name "jerk" spelled backwards, is a unique jerkbait with a reversed lip designed to mimic a dying bait fish. The unique upturned bill gives the Krej a one-of-a-kind presentation, when it goes slack it actually falls in reverse with a distinct wobble, giving anglers a shot at fish they have already passed or who are in pursuit but hesitant. This ability to trigger a reaction strike can make all the difference between "fishing" and "catching".

Colors: Blue Vapor • Stealth Shad • Stealth Minnow • Wakasagi • Chrome • OG Blue • Table Rock • Hankie Pankie • Nebu • Stunna Shad •

MSRP: $14.99

Berkley PowerBait Power Switch

Berkley’s brand new PowerSwitch is a PowerBait-flavored minnow bait designed to deliver a wide range of actions. Casts far, sinks fast and hovers where you want it. Listen as Berkley Project Engineer Kyle Peterson discusses the design and its applications for fishing with forward-facing sonar.

Colors: Clown • Firetiger • Green Pumpkin • HD Blacknose Shiner • HD Purple Wizard • HD Pink Wizard • Wonderbread • HD Blue Wizard • HD Red Belly Goby • HD Stealth Minnow • HD White Wizard • HD Yellow Perch • Lemon Head Glow • Silver Bullet

MSRP: $9.99

Berkley Finisher

Last but certainly not least, the Finisher. This bait utilizes its ability to hover and move laterally to stay in the strike zone as long as possible, giving the angler maximum control when using FFS. Jerk, glide or a steady retrieve will all work wonders with this selection.

Colors: Chrome Red Perch • Wakasagi • Blue Smelt • Bad Anaconda • Black Gold • Black Silver • Chrome • Chrome Perch • Crazy Steel • French Pearl • Gold Chrome • MF Firetiger • Nebu • OG Blue • Perch • Pink Pearl • Prime Time • Purple Slime • Stealth Shad • Sunset 84

MSRP: $8.99 – $10.99

These lures are all available now at www.berkley-fishing.com

For more information on baits designed for forward-facing sonar, pick up the March issue of Florida Sportsman and check out a full feature on the topic.