Berkley Rolls Out Its Red River Classic Lineup

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The traditional way to market fishing lures is to debut prototype models each July at the annual ICAST industry tradeshow, accept dealer orders at the show, then begin manufacturing so the product hits retail shelves

sometime in late fall.

While that cycle is still the main approach within the industry, Berkley often veers from that track. Several years ago the company decided to be more flexible in its development-to-shelf cycle. Berkley personnel wanted their pros to get the baits on the tours when they needed them, then capitalize on the buzz with more immediate public availability.

At the same time, Berkley also wanted to strengthen its chances at the most coveted title in bait development – a Bassmaster Classic win. So in 2006, the company created its first Classic rollout – a series of baits designed specifically for the Classic waters of Lake Toho. It did the same thing the following year at Lay Lake (and the Chigger Craw helped win), then again for Hartwell.

The tradition continues this year for the Red River Classic, and Berkley's new Classic baits have just reached the BassFan offices. Here's a look.

PowerBait Crazy Legs Chigger Craw

First there was the Chigger Craw, then the Chigger Chunk, but the newest Chigger-family member is the Crazy Legs Chigger Craw, which is a cross between the Chigger Craw and the relatively new Crazy Legs concept found on some of the company's grubs and soft jerkbaits.

Interesting too is what Scott Suggs said about the bait: "When I won the $1 million FLW championship in 2007 I was fishing with a prototype of the Crazy Legs Chigger Craw, and obviously it paid huge dividends. The PowerBait 4-inch Crazy Legs Chigger Craw is perfect for slow or fast presentations, and is proven to catch fish in any conditions."

Available colors include: black/blue-fleck,
black/red-fleck, breen, cinnamon/purple-fleck,
green-pumpkin, green-pumpkin/blue-fleck, green-pumpkin/party, pumpkin/green-fleck, watermelon and watermelon/candy. Six-packs go for $3.99.

Gulp! Alive! 7" Super Worm

It's hard to argue against the Power Worm – a fishing staple that's as effective now as when it was introduced.

For the Red River Classic, Berkley took the trusted Power Worm shape and built it with Gulp! to create the 7" Super Worm. The Super Worm comes packed in Gulp! juice, so it's actually labeled as Gulp! Alive!.

The Super Worm is available in seven colors – black, blue-fleck, breen, green-pumpkin, watermelon, red-shad and tequila-sunrise. Cost is $19.99 per bucket or $5.99 per seven-count bag.

About the new worm, Classic competitor Skeet Reese noted: "It doesn't matter what time of year or where I'm fishing, the Berkley 7-inch Power Worm's always in my boat. But now that proven shape and action has been supercharged with Gulp! Alive!. The Super Worm is an old-school bait revamped to handle any fishing situation."

PowerBait 4.75" Slim Shaky Worm

The Gulp! Slim Shaky Worm has been available for quite a while, but specifically for the Red River Classic, Berkley will now offer the worm in a PowerBait version in eight colors: baby-bass, pumpkinseed, purple, green-pumpkin, watermelon, watermelon/big-red, watermelon-candy and blue-fleck. Cost is $3.99 per pack.

Notable

> Although not "new" in terms of bait design, Berkley also announced new PowerBait kits in Power Worm, Wacky Crawler and Power Lizard variations. Kits include hooks, weights and a generous supply of baits. Each kit costs $8.49.

> What do you think, BassFans? Will plastic win the Red River? Click here to let us know.