IMA Chappy Lure 80

The first time we held in our hands this surface lure and casted it to test its abilities, two features impressed us: first its long reach and easy cast and secondly the almost vertical stance it assumes while standing still. If we do not initiate any action, the Ima Chappy retains only its head out of the water surface. And this sign alone, prepared us for a rather technical game and revealed many of the secret abilities this Ima lure possesses.

Why do we say that? Achieving balance in surface lures has always been a challenge and a rather complicated issue for manufacturers. Although it is relatively easy to design a floating lure, that produces a motion that resembles the Walk the Dog action, it is incredibly hard:

1. for this motion to remain consistent at different retrieval speeds
2. for the lure to instantly execute our commands at real time, such as switching between a wide and closed angle during retrieve
3. to be able to apply, equally successfully, several strategies which appear natural in the eyes of fishes

Any experienced angler would not expect anything less from Ima. For many years now, Ima has been providing to anglers effective, carefully designed lures. But with the Chappy lure, supervised by Ima professional staff Hitoshi Suzuki, they brought something entirely new in the Top Water segment; an easy to use, very dynamic lure. Once you cast the first Chappy, you will realize that one of the advantages it offers, is the flight distance, one you can not expect from such a small body, that allows you to search an entire area. So lets take a closer look to what the Ima Chappy can really do.

First of all, it excels in both Closed Angle / Fast Walk the Dog retrieve, as well as in Wide Angle / Slow Steady retrieve. The first produces a dynamic, fast paced splash action and the other a more harmonious, friendly paced motion. The Ima Chappy is one of the very few lures that really responds to our rod’s commands. Its volume secures the proper balancing, but at the same time the hollow space in its belly, where the moving weight is located, makes this lure extremely responsive to our commands.

With a medium speed retrieve, with medium intensity Twitches, the Ima Chappy moves in a horizontal stance relevant to the surface and presents a beautiful zig zag pattern. If you increase the retrieve speed a little and add sharper Twitches, it will feel as if you have a different lure at the end of your line. Do this and observe the tip of Chappy’s head protruding from the surface. The best part about it…. all the sudden changes, all the different retrieval styles do not affect this lure’s natural behavior to the slightest. No tangles, no unnecessary splashes, no unnatural movements…. Everything the Chappy does is exactly as nature intended.

Another feature that positively surprised us is the balanced placement of the treble hooks. This is one of the lures with the lesser number of missed attacks on the surface, as the orientation of the treble hooks and the entire presentation of the lure aim to invoke bites not on the side, back, or rear, but in the belly – a little further than the middle - where the treble hooks are placed.

The spheres inside the Ima Chappy produce an irregular and crispy sound, a welcomed feature especially when we want to attract the attention of surface predators. The bulky volume of this particular lure and its strong treble hooks enable it to target not only the big Seabass – which is the reason why this lure has been created - but also Blue Fish and Barracuda, species that will definitely be interested.

Overall, the Ima Chappy is a small pencil surface lure, for technical Walk the Dog fishing, for large, fighting species.

Technical Characteristics

• Size: 8 cm
• Weight: 12 gr
• Type: Top Water
• Action: Walk the Dog
• Treble Hook: 2 Χ Νο. #3
• Ring: #6
• Main Target Species: Seabass