The IMA EMAILER brings you news from ima pros Fred Roumbanis, Michael Murphy, Bill Smith and ima pro staffers across the USA and worldwide.
Established in 1998, ima is the number one hard plastic lure manufacturer for saltwater lures in Japan. “Anglers in Japan expect to see only the best from ima, and North American anglers are starting to hold these same lofty expectations too,” says Matt Paino, CEO of Optimum Bait Company in Temecula, California who handles all of ima Japan’s marketing and distribution in North America. Matt refers to the satisfaction US anglers are already enjoying with the first three ima bass baits that debuted last year at ICAST 2007 – ima’s incredible Roumba wakebait, Flit jerkbait and Shaker flat-sided crank. ICAST is the tackle industry’s annual trade show, where vendors regale the nation’s biggest tackle buyers with what’s new for next year. This is so big buyers can get a good feel for what they should plan to order for the coming new year. ICAST 2008 was held in Las Vegas two weeks ago, and ima unveiled it’s second season of new bass baits. ima unveiled a total of five new models. Two are available right now. Three others will be available in early 2009. What’s interesting is that ima’s line of fine freshwater bass lures are only made for and sold in North America. Igarashi, who owns ima, says he has no plans right now to offer ima’s freshwater bass baits in Japan. They are North American exclusive baits for now. Lucky us! We asked Igarashi how he felt ima’s foray into the North American market was going so far? Angler acceptance and awareness of the product has gone very well, says Igarashi, much quicker than he expected. He attributes the quick acceptance in part to having picked the right US pros to ride for the ima brand. Fred Roumbanis, Michael Murphy and Bill Smith are all well-respected, well-know and featured in ima ads and on the packaging, thereby facilitating market acceptance and angler recognition of the ima brand via the pros. Plus anglers do recognize the exceedingly high lure quality, says Igarashi. And picking Matt Paino along with Tony Paino and Optimum Baits to help steer ima though US waters has been the best choice, Igarashi explained.
Randy Pringle is one of the latest draft picks for team ima. He’s one of those guys who speaks softly but carries a Big Stik. You see, the Big Stik is a new topwater for 2009 and it’s enticing to all sorts of scaly brawlers in fresh or salty water. See Randy handle the ima Big Stik at ICAST 2008. Click here to see:
It’s true! A new version, the Rattlin’ Roumba will debut in 2009. It has rattles that rumble around inside. They never stay still – nor silent – just like Fred Roumbanis. He talks up the new Rattlin’ Roumba and gives it a shake in this ICAST clip. Click here to see:
The Flit Jr. is on the queue for 2009 too. It’s a smaller version of the Flit 120 released earlier this year. Direct from the ICAST floor, Michael Murphy shows and tells us about them. Click here to see:
No, you won’t have to wait till 2009 for this dynamic duo. They’re available now! The ima Skimmer is a new top water walking type bait. The Rock N Vibe, a new vibrating lipless crankbait. Click here to see:
ima’s a big name in Japan where ima is known for its hardbaits. ima is now making it’s debut in the North American market. U.S. bass pros have helped ima design new hardbaits for the USA. |
