Lure of the Month: Berkley Power Switch
by Terry Madewell
Forward-facing sonar (FFS) has changed the game for crappie fishermen. This impressive tool provides instant feedback that shows anglers a crappie’s reaction to a specific lure or presentation. Like it or not, FFS eliminates a lot of the guesswork to determine whether the fish respond positively or negatively to a particular lure or presentation.
Berkley Fishing has developed a lure that helps fishermen fully take advantage of the FFS movement while being adaptable to any crappie-fishing scenario. These qualities make the Berkley Power Switch the November 2024 CrappieNOW Lure of the Month.
Aaron Wavra, Senior Product Manager for Berkley Fishing, said, “During the product design phase, the plan was to build a lure ideal for anglers using Forward Facing Sonar technology, yet adaptable for most conventional crappie fishing scenarios.”
Wavra said that one thought for many anglers is whether the signature of the lure on the FFS screen is adequate.
“That’s certainly important, and the Power Switch was designed with the right components and profile to excel in that area,” he said.
Wavra said once an angler spots a crappie or school of crappie with FFS, the clock is ticking in terms of getting a lure on target before the fish move – especially when anglers might be targeting trophy crappie that are often solitary.
“One main focus is having a lure that gets on target quickly,” he said. “A quick and precise delivery to the crappie is essential, and this lure is easy to present, sinks quickly, and rides straight. Once on target, such as just above the fish, the angler receives instant feedback from the fish.”
The fish may move in and take the lure, the desired effect, obviously. That result often occurs, but not always. With the real-time advantage of seeing how the fish reacts to the lure and the presentation, the angler can adapt.
“The fisherman receives instantaneous feedback on the crappie’s reaction,” Wavra said. “Feedback is in the form of whether the fish approaches and takes the lure or does it turn away. The angler visualizes the fish’s figurative ‘temperature’ and has multiple options for triggering a bite with the Power Switch.”
Wavra said the lure’s design allows it to be worked via multiple presentations applicable to FFS to control the fall rate and work the lure once it is in position.
The Power Switch gives anglers the ability to “Switch”, or react, to a specific fishing situation. (Photo from Berkley Fishing)
“One example is ‘hovering,” he said. “The ‘Hover’ technique is accomplished by rhythmically popping the rod tip to generate a random darting action and pausing the lure’s fall as it sinks. Other techniques enable anglers to maneuver the lure toward or away from the target to determine what’s working and what isn’t. This lure, designed to be more visible to FFS users, gives anglers control to put the bait where and how they want it, with the ability to react to the behavior of the crappie.”
Wavra said the Power Switch design also enables anglers without FFS to be successful in almost any conventional manner.
“The Power Switch is great for trolling or power pushing, and it excels when fished under a bobber,” he said. “I love how it performs for dock shooting. I can take the solid head and shoot it under a dock, and it skips as well as any lure I’ve used.”
It’s a ‘keeper’ for any crappie fisherman, whether employing FFS, conventional, or old-school tactics. It’s available in multiple sizes, with the 1.75-and-2.5-inch versions working best for most crappie fishing scenarios. The Power Switch is available in 14 color patterns, from super bright to natural.
Terry Madewell of Ridgeway, S.C., has been an outdoor communicator for nearly 50 years. He holds a degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Management and has a long career as a professional wildlife biologist/natural resources manager. He’s passionate about sharing outdoor adventures with others.
