The team at Optimum Bait Co. produces great baits for salt and freshwater anglers under that brand name, but they are also responsible for bringing some of the most popular Japanese baits to us here in the states. Deps, ima, Zappu, Madness, and more are included in that lineup.
New for this year are two new items under the Deps and ima lines that are extensions of proven products. The Deps Slide Swimmer 175 Floater and ima Baby Stik 105 topwater are new items.
The Deps Slide Swimmer 175 Floating
Among big baits, the Slide Swimmer is one of the most popular on the market and the glide bait has become a favorite for those looking for big bass. In the 175mm size, there is now a floating model. This bait is a 2.6-ounce bait that retails for $109. It was released in July and is available at retailers now.
The standard Slide Swimmer 175 has an internal spring weight, but it has been removed in the new floating version. The removal of this weight also makes it silent for a completely different look and sound. When fished with a medium or fast retrieve, the bait will get 2 to 3 feet below the surface and slowly float when paused. Adding a tuning weight will keep the bait down and creates a silent version of the 175 that also sinks.
The Baby Stik 105
The pencil popper style of topwaters is among the most popular for bass anglers as they walk very easily. They also create a significant disturbance on the surface to call fish from long distances. The ima Little Stik and Big Stik are two of the best on the market and there is now a smaller version, the Baby Stik 105.
The bait is 105mm (4.1-inches), weighs ½-ounce and has the same great action as its bigger brothers. It walks, spits, and catches them just as good as the bigger versions and works well for all bass species as well as in saltwater. It’s offered in eight colors, retails for $10.99, and casts exceptionally well thanks to the rear-weighted design.
The ima Baby Stik 105 and Deps Slide Swimmer 175 Floating are two new baits bass anglers should look into. They are from proven product families and give anglers more options to dial in the bite.
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