ICAST 2015 Coverage - Optimum Reins Kahara Ima Deps

ICAST 2015 Coverage

New from Ima, AA Worms, Zappu, Kahara, Reins, & Deps!

Date:	8/9/15
Location:	Orlando, FL
Admission:	Buyers & Press Only
Manufacturer:	Various
Reviewer:	Cal

Introduction: Those privy to the bass fishing world are familiar with the fact many of the more exotic baits from Japan and other countries make their way here to the shores and stores of North America via a distributorship of some sort. What some may not know or realize is that the owners of Optimum Bait company are one such umbrella corporation bringing us some of our more specialized products from companies like Zappu, Reins, Kahara, Ima, and the more well known Deps. Let's take a look at what these companies had to show this year at ICAST.

The Ima HeliPs Grande is an upsized version of the original.

Ima HeliPs Grande: Ima's popular topwater bait, the HeliPs gets a new size. Originally offered in only a two and a quarter inch (2-1/4"), three eighths ounce (3/8oz) size, the Grande version is two and a half inches in length (2-1/2") and a full half ounce (1/2oz) in weight. The HeliPs flares side to side as it is retrieve and twitched and thanks to the props, it can create a lot of commotion at the slightest movement of your rod tip all while keeping it in the strike zone longer. There will be six colors and the bait will retail for $16.99.

The Dabeat is Ima's take on the popping frog.

Ima Dabeat : The Dabeat is a popping frog bait from Ima but instead of a mouth like a traditional popper, it's more of a pencil popper kind of mouth designed to spit water further than other popping frogs. It measures 45 millimeters which is about 1.8 inches, will be available in five colors, weights one quarter of an ounce and will retail for $11.99.

Introducing the AA Worms Bad Bubba Shad.

Made for big swimbait heads.

AA Worms Bad Bubba Shad : Last year, we saw some new swimbait tails from AA Worms that were pretty standard in size and profile. This year, they introduce the Bad Bubba Shad featuring a bit more stout of a body and three sizes, including a larger, 7" size (other sizes are 4" and 5")! The wider body gives this bait a wobbling action as you swim it. The Bad Bubba Shad will be available in 51 different colors and retail for about $4 a pack.

This swimbait tail features a substantial body section.

Zappu makes some of the most inventive terminal tackle.

Zappu Kachito Tinsel : Zappu is a really interesting company specializing in specialty terminal tackle to give the angler just that little extra added edge. No where is this more evident than in their new introduction this year of the Kachito Tinsel. What they've done is tie very thin tinsel strips in the style of a skirt to a thin wire with a latch on the end. Use this latch to attach the tinsel to the trailing hook tie on your bait and you have an instant dressed treble at the end of your topwater, crank, spoon or other baits! Think the trailer is too much? Just snap it back off and put it away. It's a really ingenious idea that should catch on with all the bait tinkerers out there. The Kachito Tinsel will retail for $6.99 in a pack of 3.

Dressing your rear treble hook has never been this easy.

PH Custom Lures is debuting their new Mag Hunger hand carved crankbait.

PH Custom Lures : PH Custom Lures is a company out of Indiana specializing in hand crafted baits including wood cranks. They've recently acquired the rights to Lee Sisson's catalog of cranks and are offering them again as brand new builds. But headlining the company's new product this year is the Mag Hunter. This is a three inch (3"), half ounce (1/2oz) bait designed to dive zero to five feet. Retail price is set for $22.99.

And their Wesley Strader series of flat sized cranks - all handmade.

PH Custom Lures will also be introducing their take on a hand-crafted flat sided crank designed and endorsed by Wesley Strader, FLW bass pro. There will be three models (W1, W2, W3) with ranges from four to eight feet( 4' to 8') in depth depending on the model. Retail price is set for $12.99.

Presenting Kahara's Rat'n Rats II.

Kahara Baby Rat'n Rats II: The Rat'n Rats II features two willow leaf blades on the back instead of the two Colorado blades. This gives the bait an even wider walk-the-dog like action. It measures 70mm in length (~2.75") and is rated at 13 grams (~1/2 oz). The Rat'n Rats II will be available in 8 colors and will retail for $10.99 and availability is expected in August 2015.

With two willow leaf blades instead of two Colorado's.

The Baby Diving Frog, a smaller version of the original.

Kahara Baby Diving Frog : Kahara's Baby Diving Frog is essentially a shallow crankbait. It looks like just another surface floater, but it swims just below the surface to mimic a swimming frog! It measures 45mm (~1.75") and weighs 8.5 grams (~5.16oz). It will be available in 8 colors and retail for $10.99.

How's this for a new punch weight - with a collar for you to tie a skirt direct to the weight?

Reins TG Punch Shot Sinker : Reins has come out with an intriguing sinker for those who enjoy punching those mats for big bass. The TG Punch Shot Sinker has an extension out the back for attachment or tie-on of your own skirt material. Available in weights from 3/8 up to 1-1/2 ounces and in either black or green pumpkin, the TG Punch Shot makes tying your punch rig just a little bit simpler. Prices range from $7.99 - $11.99 per pack (3/8 & 1/2 oz come in packs of 2, larger sizes are singles).

The Ring Craw gets a new, "Daddy" size.

Same great claws, new 4" size.

Reins Ring Craw Daddy : Need a new soft plastic bait to attach to your punch rig? The Reins Ring Craw Daddy is a 4" version of the original 3" Ring Craw. It carries with it the same ringed claws and appendages as the original, just in a slightly larger and bulkier package presenting a larger meal for those fish hiding under the mats. Recommended hook size for the Ring Craw Daddy is 5/0. It is infused with a heavy salt concentration and a unique shrimp scent. There will be 9 available colors and retail is set for $7.99 for a pack of 5 baits.

Reins's Bubbling Shaker gets upsized as well to 7"!

The little appendages are designed to catch even the slightest current making the baits dance even when standing still.

Reins Bubbling Shaker : For the finesse fisherman looking to upsize their game, Reins introduces a new 7" size to their popular Bubbling Shaker line to compliment the pre-existing 4" and 5" sizes. This larger size will be ideal for shakey head or Neko rigs or even those who like to bubba shot. The tail of this bait has a unique extension that vibrates and shakes even when the bait is at a standstill. There will be 10 colors for the larger Bubbling Shaker and it will sell for $6.99 in a pack of 5.

Paul Meuller showing us what's new with Reins.

Deps Bullshooter 160: Probably the most sought after baits in this collection recently are those by Deps. Thanks to the huge success of the Slideswimmer 250, big bait throwers are always anxious to see what this company has in store. This year, they are introducing the Bullshooter. This is a 160mm (~6.5") bait weighing roughly 3.75 ounces. It is rated as a slow sinker and is built to glide from side to side. There will be 5 colors and the bait is set to retail for $109.99.

The Bullshooter is a six and a half inch bluegill profile glide bait.

Conclusion: So many premium brands under one umbrella it's always exciting to see what's new at the Optimum booth at ICAST. Zander and I are already busy making a list and divvying up who gets to review which product. From hand made wood cranks to a new big bait to an ingenious little punch weight and more there's a lot to be excited about with this group of brands and products.