Ima launches Square Bill at 2011 Bassmaster Classic

After 18 months of collaboration between 3-time Bassmaster Classic qualifier Bill Lowen & the engineers at IMA Lures in Japan, IMA will release the Square Bill at the upcoming Bassmaster Classic in New Orleans, where Lowen will compete. As the name suggests, this new lure is a square-billed crankbait that combines the legendary hunting action of hand-crafted balsa lures with the consistency & durability of plastic.

"This lure is so much more versatile than any other square-bill I've fished," said Lowen, who played an integral role in the many prototypes that led up to the final products. "I've dreamed of something like this for decades. It acts like the best handmade balsa baits. Every crankbait has a wobble, but the good balsa crankbaits hunt. They'll jump off to the left, run a bit, jump off to the right, and always work their way back to the center. That action triggers bites."

The IMA Square Bill has a stubby, rounded body that produces an earth-shaking wobble, bold eyes, a lexan lip and two sticky-sharp #6 hooks that'll nab even the short-strikers, although most bass absolutely choke this bait down.

The lure runs properly right out of the package and the lexan lip and durable body mean that it can take more abuse than its balsa counterparts, which often need frequent tuning. The Square Bill runs shallower than other manufacturers' square-bills, 2 to 3 feet deep on typical cranking tackle. Lowen, a noted shallow-water specialist, occasionally upsizes his line to burn it over grass or in the shallowest water possible. Despite the heavier line, the lure still maintains its signature action. At 3/8 of an ounce, it casts like a bullet, too, another advantage over the balsa cranks. In addition to a straight, steady retrieve and burning, Lowen also likes to twitch the lure & wake it.

"It's just about a 12 month out of the year lure," said Matt Paino, Vice President of Sales for IMA. "We expect that shallow water anglers coast to coast will consider this a 'go to" for years to come." IMA will release the Square Bill at the 2011 Bassmaster Classic in 9 colors & it will retail for $16.99.

IMA Lures are distributed in the United States by Optimum Bait Co. For more information about IMA, go to www.imalures.com. Also find all the current great Ima baits at www.BassTackleDepot.com

Got Ima???

Ima Baits may be the best Japanese crafted baits that you have not heard of..... I have one of the Flit 120 and it is a sweet looking bait. Its brand new for 2008!
I cannot wait for things to thaw here in MN and attack some pre-spawn smallmouth & largemouth. Lucky for you, chances are, you live south of me, you have open water and its just about Jerkbait season......

Also new for 2008, is the Roumba wakebait, designed by Elite Series Pro Fred Roumbanis!

IMA Japan Flit 120
Ima combined Michael Murphy's Biology expertise with its own advanced technology and the Flit 120 was born. The Flit 120, named for its erratic fleeing action and 120mm length was designed on the basic premise of "matching the hatch." The Ima Jerkbait, at its cross section is triangular in shape to closely mimic the flat-sided Herring and Panfish prey, common in the U.S. The Flit 120 incorporates a realistic finish, a uniquely designed bill for ease of use and specially designed triangular chambers. This creates constant focal points of contact maximizing vibration and sound consistency. The Ima Flit 120 is the next generation jerkbait that will enhance your fishing experience.

IMA Japan Roumba
The ROUMBA is a unique bait that creates a natural wake by “wobbling” side to side along the water’s surface while producing an enticing sound that makes fish bite. This bait is designed to work best when fished over shallow aquatic grass, such as milfoil and hydrilla. It’s also extremely effective around boat docks, lay-downs, brush piles, and standing timber.
Fish the bait with a slow, steady retrieve. Be sure to keep the rod tip up and get ready for a massive bass explosion!

IMA Japan Shaker
This bait REALLY shakes it up! It’s designed for early spring and late fall when water temps are 50-65 degrees and runs 3’ to 5’ deep. The ima Shaker works best when shad are on the move in the shallows. With a medium speed retrieve the bait will produce a wide wobbling action starting in the HEAD of the bait and working its way through the entire bait. The ima Shaker features a weight transfer system allowing the bait to travel up to distances of 60 ft on the cast. Coupled with greater accuracy this bait is no match for its counterpart, the balsa bait.

Best results are in the back of the creeks and up in the rivers thrown around wood, stumps and rocks. This is a great bait for getting reaction strikes when nothing else seems to be working. Use it on a medium to medium-light crank bait rod with a 5:1 or 6:1 gear ratio reel, whichever you prefer and use it on 8 to 12 pound line, and watch it fill your live well up.

Hope you like these baits as much as I!!!!