February 9, 2015




Click here to check out the newly launched ima product catalogue 2015!

imatalk #1: Lewis shares his tips on the ima Helips!












The secret weapon for shallow water trophy fish!

ima Helips . 57mm . 11g . propbait

The Helips is a dual-propeller propbait. Despite it's relatively small size, it is able to create a tremendous commotion with the slightest twitch of your rod. The body is extremely buoyant, perfect for short dives under the surface and popping right out again while staying in the strike zone.

The Helips was designed for close cover topwater game in shallow clear or weedy waters. Despite the dual-propellers and light weight, it casts reasonably well. I am able to shoot this bait on low side casts under overhanging trees a good distance.

This lure delivers great success fishing in and around cover. I'd love to cast it beside weeds and fallen trees to draw predators lying in ambush. The Helips has quickly established itself among my arsenal as my pick for snaggy waters. Most fish within close proximity of the Helips will quickly be drawn to it's presence created by the loud props and it leaves a tremendous bubble trail in it's wake!


I've had great results using a variation of retrieval techniques that work well in our waters.


1. Cover Casting - Cast the Helips beside structures such as fallen trees or thick weeds. Allow it to sit for a couple of seconds before imparting a hard twitch to draw the attention of fish in the proximity. The Helips will dive right under and pop out of the surface again. Repeat for several rounds before picking your next target

2. Reaction Bites - Survey the water for surface activity or scout for potential fish-holding spots. Commence retrieve immediately when the lure touches down. Fish in hiding will react aggressively to the Helips and grab it without hesitation.

3. Open Waters - Crank for a couple of rounds, lower your rod and sweep it downward. Pause for 1-2 seconds and sweep again before repeating over. I've had fish chasing down the Helips and repeatedly striking the lure before eventually finding the hooks.

Here are some pictures of Peacock Bass and Arowana I've caught using the ima Helips right here in Singapore!




Have fun playing with the ima Helips!



Lewis Ang
ima Singapore

February 8, 2015

Interview with ima Tester: Max Tan

Q: How old were you when you first started fishing?
A: I was 7 when fishing was taught to me by my father, in a fishing pond.

Q: How did you start fishing with lures?
A: My friend suggested to go fishing at a "secret spot" his colleague introduced to him. I stumbled upon my father's lures while through his fishing gear in preparation for the fishing trip. I decided to bring it to give it a try, which eventually landed me my very first fish on lure, a Peacock Bass. This got me hooked to lure fishing.

Q: Do you prefer boat or shore fishing?
A: I generally prefer shore fishing but I definitely like boat fishing as well!

Q: Favourite rod?
A: Currently my favourite rod for Baitcasting would be the Major Craft MS-X (MXC-66M) 10-16lb
For spinning it would be the Major Craft MS-X (MXS-64UL) 3-7lb

Q: Favourite reel?
A: Baitcaster - Shimano 13' Metanium
Spinning - Shimano 14' Stella C3000

Q: Do you prefer Spinning or Baitcast outfits when you fish?
A: I use both at any given time however, I tend to use baitcasting outfits in Freshwater and Spinning gear in Saltwater. It ultimately depends on what target species I am fishing for and what kind of lures I intend to cast which affects my choice in the type of tackle I use.

Q: Why do you like ima?
A: Being rather new to lure fishing, one would generally experiment and try out with most of the lures available in the market. I thought of giving the "more expensive Japanese Domestic Market" lures a try and purchased an ima Bita Moge 66 in pink - my very first ima lure which to my amazement, caught me more fishes than the other lures I had which piqued my interest and resulted in me buying lots of ima lures.
In my opinion, ima lures are unique in their own way although most of them are made for Japanese Sea Bass, each plug can be worked differently to produce different swimming actions, which is what our local fish seem to love!

Q: Which are your favourite ima lures & technique of working it?
A: The ima Bi-ta70 is one of my favourite freshwater plugs. I love casting it ino fast-flowing rapids as it maintains its beautiful wide wobbling action and will not tumble despite of the rough waters. Simply cast and retrieve this lure with varying speeds to catch a fish!
The Honeytrap 70S is another firm favourite of mine due to the slightly small profile and it's ability to get a good distance as it weighs 14 grams. It wobbles when retrieved and flutters as it sinks. It's a world of endless possibilities on what this lure can do!

Q: Favourite target species:
A: Freshwater - Mahseer, Jungle perch. Saltwater - Giant Trevally.

Connect with Max on Facebook@
https://www.facebook.com/indeff

Interview with ima Tester: Lewis Ang

Q: How old were you when you first started fishing?
A: I had my first experience with fishing at the age of 16.

Q: How did you start fishing with lures?
A: I was 18 when I tried my hand at lure fishing.

Q: Boat or land-based fishing?
A: I love fishing offshore but most of my fishing is done on land. I love wading in rivers/mountain streams or trekking in the jungles to pursue my target fish.

Q: Favourite rod?
A: My favourite rod for now is the ms-x mxc-67mh baitcasting by Major Craft. It's light and powerful besides being extremely responsive which is very handy as I like to work my lures.

Q: Favourite reel?
A: I love the Shimano Metanium 2013 series baitcasting series. The casting range of the reel is very versatile which allows me to cast light to heavy lures a good distance without having to change reels or entire outfits. My other favourite is the Shimano Aldebaran BFS XG which I use for finesse fishing, focused on throwing mainly the finesse lures from ima.

Q: Do you prefer Spinning or Baitcast outfits when you fish?
A: I use baitcasting gear most of the time mainly because I prefer fishing in closed terrain with more emphasis on power and control needed to yank fish out from cover in the shortest time possible. I use spinning outfits mostly when I'm jigging offshore.

Q: Why do you like ima?
A: ima lures work very well for me. I love the swimming action as well as the seasonal unique-released colours. The swimming action of ima lures are very attractive to me, not least to say the fish!

Q: Which are your favourite ima lures & technique of working it?
A: Helips, LiL' voice, Sasuke 98, Foxy Fry & Gyodo Survivor 70

Q: Favourite target species:
A: Emperor Snakehead, Temensis & Arowana

Connect with Lewis on Facebook@
https://www.facebook.com/lewis.ang.7

August 1, 2014

Video: Using the Koume Series effectively in local Freshwater!

ima Singapore presents:

Guide to using the Koume Series effectively in local freshwater! Also showcasing footage on catches and misses! Also featuring a special guest appearance. Do watch in full HD for a clearer presentation.

April 21, 2014

Interview with ima Tester: Daniel Thian

Q: How old were you when you first started fishing?
A: I  was 10 when my father first taught me how to fish.

Q: How did you start fishing with lures?
A: One day, I caught a fish on live bait in a stocked pond which had a lure stuck on it's mouth. I tied on the lure and within a few casts, landed my very first fish and lure.

Q: Do you prefer boat or shore fishing?
A: I have no preference. I pretty much do both depending on the fish species I am targeting. I never restrict myself to land-based fishing and will always venture into any opportunity to go offshore that comes along.

Q: Favourite rod?
A: My favourite rod is the ima X Apia Foojin'AD Energy Flow 92ML Seabass rod. It is a limited-collaboration model between ima and Apia which was developed to fish ima lures effectively. Long distance casts are a breeze and the rod feels light in hand which is important for a long day out on the water.

Q: Favourite reel?
A: My favourite reel currently is the Shimano Stella. Effortless and powerful cranks each time and that signature silky smooth enhances the fishing experience. Long and tangle-free casts as well as the ultra-reliable drag adds to the long list of features this reel boasts.

Q: Do you prefer Spinning or Baitcast outfits when you fish?
A: It depends a lot on the type of fishing I do that influences my choice of tackle. I prefer using long seabass rods with a spinning reel in open waters that require fast retrievals as spinning reels pick up line faster. I mostly use baitcasters in tight quarters where accuracy is required to present your plug with precision and power to steer fish away from heavy cover.

Q: Why do you like ima?
A: ima makes very innovative lures that are creative and pushes the boundaries of conventional lure swimming actions that work very well for me. I recalled my first time fishing with the ima Sasuke - I have never casted a jerkbait which weighs a mere 5/8oz. that can attain such extreme distances. With the superior weight transfer system of the lure, I am able to cast further while reducing stress and fatigue on my wrists, allowing me to fish longer comfortably for longer periods.

Q: Which are your favourite ima lures & technique of working it?
A: I love the ima Sasuke series and Honeytrap/Barbarossa (sinking pencils). The sasuke series has proven to be irreplaceble for me when targetting Barramundi. A slow and steady retrieve which some pauses in-between usually does the trick. The Honeytrap/Barbarossas are my favourite to use when the fish are cautious as the unconventional free-falling action produce strikes even in the most difficult fishing situations. Not only are they superb casters, I am able to fish them at all ranges across different depths.

Q: Favourite target species:
A: Barramundi, Peacock bass and Groupers.

Connect with Daniel on Facebook@
https://www.facebook.com/daniel.zh.3



April 8, 2014

Video: Guide to the ima Gyodo Survivor 70!

ima Singapore presents:

Guide to the ima Gyodo Survivor 70 in local freshwater! 

Also showcasing footage on catches and misses - featuring a special guest appearance!
Do watch in full HD for a clearer presentation.



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April 7, 2014

Interview with ima Tester: Bone Lim



BONE LIM
Q: How old were you when you first started fishing?
A: I first started fishing at the age of 8.


Q: How did you started fishing with lures?
A: My uncle first introduced me to Snakehead fishing on topwater lures when I was 12. I was hooked ever since I caught my first one on lure. I could never forget the explosive topwater strikes and very much still love to fish for them today. 


Q: Do you prefer boat or shore fishing?
A: I love all sorts of fishing no matter land-based or off-shore. I fish on shore most of the time in freshwater and saltwater fishing is mostly done on a boat as most of us here in Singapore are not able to have legal access fishing on a boat in freshwater. 

Q: Favourite rod?
A: My favourite rod currently is the Major Craft Skyroad SKR-58M/B. It is short and offers high mobility when I am bashing in the jungle and is able to cast suprisingly well despite the relatively short length. It is generally more than sufficient to land most fish and has a wide casting range of lures from 7-35g. 

Q: Favourite reel?
A: I love fishing with all daiwa baitcasters as they employ the latest casting technology and new materials, pushing the limits of casting distance and  lightness. 


Q: Do you prefer Spinning or Baitcast outfits when you fish?
A: Baitcasting tackle is definitely my preferred choice. I am more proficient in baitcasting as compared to spinning and I feel right at home employing them for accurate or long-distance casts.

Bait casting tackle affords me a more direct and connected feel that spinning does not, hence my preference. 

Q: Why do you like ima?  
A: Most ima lures cast well which is very important for us as we are mostly land-based anglers where casting distance is key to hitting good fish. Lures made by ima have a unique swimming action that works extremely well for me. 

Q: Which is your favourite ima lure & technique of working it?
A: I love the ima Hound Fang 125F and the ima Koume series. Snakehead fishing has taken it's toll and these fishes tend to be more wary of human presence. When topwater lures do not work, the ima Hound Fang will be my weapon of choice, long and accurate casts over the snakehead's rises and a straight retrieval usually does the job. The Koume vibration plug series are my go-to lures for hunting peacock bass and it never fails me. I cast it out as far as I can and allow it to sink to the bottom before starting my retrieve, working it with twitches and pauses in-between. Twitching it will create a unique side-to-side darting action that is deadly and extremely effective.

Q: Favourite target species:

A: Giant Snakehead, Asian Arowana and Peacock bass.


Connect with Bone Lim on Facebook@ www.facebook.com/lim.hansiong

November 23, 2013

November 22, 2013

Double Arowanas!

A truly rare moment of two Asian Arowanas caught at the same time!
both were released safely back to their natural habitat (: