Fun fact: “Krej” is jerk spelt backwards, however its not backward in any shape or form! Like it’s cousins the Finisher and Power Switch, it has been developed for the Forward-Facing Sonar (FFS) or more commonly known as Livesight. The Krej is like a jerk bait but with an upturned beak that is design to rise in the water column when worked however, reverses down backwards when free spooled, enticing your target species to bite. The Krej can be clearly seen on the FFS with its solid construction making it easterly track while it descends into the fish’s face or strike zone.

The Krej can be used many different ways. From being cast out and let sink to the required depth before working the bait past the fish and entice a reaction or bite. To dropping the bait directly down within submerged trees. The Krej can be also cast out and lowered down to the level the fish are and slow worked through or above then enticing a reaction bite all while watching the scene being played out on the FFS. Some say this type of fishing is cheating but it can be very exciting and sometimes outright frustrating.One advantage of the Krej is it can be reversed back towards fish if they lose interest, or into a tree or snag. Whilst testing the Krej, I have found this as a go to lure for suspended Yellowbelly especially when they are concealed in wattle scrub, laydowns or submerged trees. The ability to back the bait into their faces and twitch the bait away from them almost always results some tremendously exciting hookups. Beware when the fish grabs it, they grab it, and they want to take it back to where they come from!

The Krej has also be used vertically with outstanding results. The fish views the bait as a wounded fish trying to escape or surface especially when the lure is backed into crevices or snags with the help of the FFS, making the lure appear live like.
My top tips:
Work the bait, the more you work it the more success you’ll have but don’t overdo it keep it life like. The Krej will flutter when descending the water column and will rock and roll while being retrieved without any twitching etc.
Colours: Nebu, Wakasagi and Table Rock have worked well when targeting Yellowbelly.
Krej comes in one size at present being 100mm and weighs ½ oz or 16.2g.
Ideal combination for using the Krej; Abu Garcia Veritas PLX Elite Edition casting rod in 2-5kg, Abu Garcia Revo X baitcaster spooled with 15lb Berkley X Super Smooth 8, 10lb leader Berkley Vanish or a similar setup in a spin rod.

The Krej is a big game changer when paired in conjunction with FFS. However, it all depends on how you work it! The key is to learn what the fish want by observing their reactions on the FFS and adapt to what they are reacting too. This type of fishing can be very exciting, rewarding yet frustrating.
Happy Krejing!!