Halibut Lures

The ima Yoichi 99 Ballista is a 99mm (3.9"), 36g (1.3 oz) heavy sinking pencil lure engineered for extreme long-distance casting in the surf and open water. Its rear-weighted body cuts through wind to reach breaking fish that other lures can't, then swims with the signature tight slalom S-action of the ima Yoichi series on a steady retrieve. It's a go-to searchbait for covering water fast and drawing reaction strikes from striped bass, sea bass, bluefish and other inshore predators.

Why anglers choose the Yoichi 99 Ballista

• Bombs long casts: the 36g rear-balanced design flies far and stays stable in crosswinds for maximum water coverage from the beach or boat.
• Slalom swimming action: rolls and wobbles side-to-side with a lifelike baitfish motion that triggers aggressive strikes.
• Sinking / count-down: lets you fish the entire water column — skim it just under the surface chop or count it down to deeper holding fish.
• Saltwater-ready hardware: rigged with sharp #3 treble hooks and #4 split rings straight from the box.
• Proven surf & inshore producer: ideal for striped bass, sea bass, bluefish, and other coastal gamefish.

Specifications

Available colors

• #002 Cotton Candy
• #003 Ibaraki Candy
• #006 Mullet
• #009 Black & Black
• #011 Red Head
• #013 Lime Rainbow

Frequently asked questions

Is the ima Yoichi 99 Ballista a floating or sinking lure?
It is a sinking pencil. You can retrieve it just under the surface or let it count down to reach deeper fish.

How much does the Yoichi 99 Ballista weigh and how long is it?
It measures 99 mm (3.9 in) and weighs 36 g (1.3 oz), which is what gives it exceptional casting distance.

What fish can I catch with it?
It excels on striped bass and sea bass, and also catches bluefish and other inshore/surf gamefish.

What hooks does it come with?
It ships ready to fish with #3 treble hooks and #4 split rings.

Why is it good for surf fishing?
The heavy 36g rear-weighted body casts long distances and stays stable in wind, letting you reach fish beyond the breakers.

The DUO Bayruf BR Fish 5" is a 5-inch paddle-tail soft swimbait engineered for big-fish presentations. Its detailed baitfish profile and wide, water-pushing tail kick come alive on a slow roll — drawing strikes from trophy largemouth, smallmouth bass, and inshore saltwater predators that ignore smaller baits.

Molded from salt-infused, durable plastic, the BR Fish 5" loads easily for long casts and holds up through multiple fish. Versatile enough for jigheads, swimbait heads, or weedless rigs, it's a go-to when you need a larger profile in the water column.

Key Features

• Length: 5 inches
• Type: Paddle-tail soft swimbait
• Body: Detailed baitfish profile with active paddle tail
• Material: Salt-infused, tough plastic for durability and casting distance
• Rigging: Jighead, swimbait head, or weedless setups
• Pack: 7 per pack
• Origin: Japan (JDM)

Best For

• Species: Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, halibut, inshore saltwater gamefish
• Techniques: Slow roll, lift-and-fall, jighead swim, weedless rig
• Conditions: Open water, surf, structure, bottom fishing
• Season: Year-round

Tackle Express Tips

• Pair with the DUO Bayruf Jighead for best action and balance
• Works great for freshwater bass — surf halibut will bite it too
• Use a lift-and-fall technique; wait 2–5 seconds between pops — strikes often come on the drop

Specs

Available Colors

Big Bait Profile, Same Proven Jig Head

Hookup Baits are hand-crafted in San Diego and engineered around shape, color, and action — the three things that actually trigger bites. The XL body is built for the big 2oz and 3oz Hookup Baits jig heads, giving you a full 6" profile that pushes serious water and gets down fast in current and depth. When a body gets torn up by teeth or rocks, slide a fresh one onto your existing XL head and you're back fishing in seconds. Each pack includes two bodies.

The Right Fit for Your Jig Head

These bodies are designed specifically for Hookup Baits XL jig heads in 2oz and 3oz. The larger profile gives big fish a bigger target — ideal for white seabass, yellowtail, and halibut when they're keyed on squid, mackerel, or large sardines, or when you need to hold bottom in deeper water and stronger current. Like all Hookup Baits, the XL can be cast, jigged vertically, or trolled.

Why Replacement Bodies Make Sense

Soft plastic bodies take a beating — from fish, from rocks, and from repeated drops to the bottom. Buying replacement bodies instead of whole new jigs keeps your proven XL head in rotation and saves money over time. If a color has been producing, stocking up on bodies means you never have to fish without it.

Five Colors, Matched to the Conditions

• Red Crab — high-contrast attractor color, great in low-vis or stained water and a proven white seabass color
• Chovy — anchovy-match profile, a staple when 'chovies are the primary forage
• Pearl White — versatile high-flash color that works across species and conditions, and a strong squid imitation
• Mint — translucent, subtle color for pressured fish and clear water
• Ice — clear, natural finish for bright days and clear water when fish get picky

Three Ways to Fish It

• Vertical jigging — drop to the mark and work it up through the water column
• Cast and retrieve — work it along kelp edges, rocky structure, and bait schools
• Trolling — pull it behind the boat to cover water and locate fish

Best Conditions

• Deeper water and stronger current where a heavier 2oz or 3oz head is needed
• Squid, mackerel, and large-sardine bite situations
• Any session where a bigger profile triggers bigger fish

Best For

• White seabass, yellowtail, and halibut
• Big calico bass and lingcod around deep structure
• Anglers who already fish Hookup Baits XL 2oz or 3oz jig heads and want to stock up on bodies

Key Features

• Brand: Hookup Baits (designed & manufactured in San Diego, CA)
• Fits: Hookup Baits XL 2oz and 3oz jig heads
• Body length: 6"
• Pack contents: 2 replacement bodies
• Colors: Red Crab, Chovy, Pearl White, Mint, Ice
• Techniques: Vertical jig, cast, troll
• Patents: Utility Patents #10,219,496 & #11,109,579; U.S. Design Patents #D822,147 & #D851,724

Models & Specs

How to Replace the Body

Watch the official Hookup Baits tutorial below for a step-by-step walkthrough on swapping out the soft body on your jig head.

Tackle Express Tips

• Red Crab and Mint are the classic white seabass colors on the bigger Hookup Baits — if seabass are the target, start with one of those.
• Pearl White is a go-to when squid are around — match the bait and fish it slow near the bottom.
• Bodies go fast when the bite is on. Keep a spare pack in your bag so a torn body never ends your drift.

FAQ

What jig heads do these bodies fit?
These replacement bodies are designed for Hookup Baits XL jig heads in 2oz and 3oz. For smaller heads, see the Large Replacement Bodies (3/8oz, 5/8oz & HUB Bullet) or the Big Game Replacement Bodies (1oz & 1.5oz).

How many bodies come in a pack?
Each pack contains 2 replacement bodies in your selected color.

How long are the XL bodies?
The XL bodies are 6" long.

WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

Hookup Baits Medium Jigs are a 3" tube jig pre-rigged with a 1/8oz or 1/4oz jighead in a pack of three. The Hookup Baits have been proven to catch the hard to catch bass and trouts in the lake all the way to the SoCal finicky Bluefin on micro-bait.

There are many ways to fish the hookup bait but casting it out and letting it fall on a tight line will pendulum it down in an arc.  This can be very effective since it allows the bait to swim as it falls.  This is effective when fish are suspended in the column and not on the top or bottom.

If fish are on the bottom, we like to let it sink to the bottom and pop it off the bottom and then allowing it to sink back down.  Continue this retrieve all the way back to the boat or shore.

If they are in the upper part of the column, cast and start retrieving soon after the lure hits the surface.  Most of the time a slow and steady retrieve works best but you can also burn it on the surface for very active surface feeding fish.

Tie a Hookup Bait on and see what method works best for you.  The bottom line is these baits get bit on salt and fresh water fish.

• 3"
• 1/8oz and 1/4oz
• 3 Per Pack

The Hookup Baits HUB Bullet Jigs feature the smaller profile of the Large Hookup Baits with the weight of the Big Game Hookup Baits. Perfect for when the fish are only biting smaller profile baits on long casts!

There are many ways to fish the hookup bait but casting it out and letting it fall on a tight line will pendulum it down in an arc.  This can be very effective since it allows the bait to swim as it falls.  This is effective when fish are suspended in the column and not on the top or bottom.

If fish are on the bottom, we like to let it sink to the bottom and pop it off the bottom and then allowing it to sink back down.  Continue this retrieve all the way back to the boat or shore.

If they are in the upper part of the column, cast and start retrieving soon after the lure hits the surface.  Most of the time a slow and steady retrieve works best but you can also burn it on the surface for very active surface feeding fish.

Tie a Hookup Bait on and see what method works best for you.  The bottom line is these baits get bit on salt and fresh water fish.

•  4" Body 
• 1oz and 1.5oz
• 2 Per Pack

The Major Craft JigPara Standard Live Bait comes with the 3D print debut in the JigPara series. Perfect for shore casting, this high-performance jig offers ultimate casting distance and a variety of versatile actions.

Its compact body shape allows for maximum casting distance and helps control friction when jerking against water. The center balance design attracts a variety of predatory fish, such as Yellowtails, Amberjack, Bonito, Dorado, Small Tuna, Mackerel, Seabass, and more. Ideal for saltwater shore fishing, this jig will exceed your expectations.

The Big Hammer 3" Swimbait gives you a compact baitfish profile for freshwater bass and inshore fishing. Its square tail adds swimming movement to a simple retrieve, while the unrigged soft-plastic body lets you choose a jig head to suit the depth and current. Sold individually, it's an easy way to build a color selection without buying a full pack of each pattern.

Downsize When the Forage Is Small

When fish are feeding on small baitfish, a larger swimbait isn't always the right starting point. This 3-inch body offers a smaller presentation for swimming along rocky edges, working bay structure or covering freshwater shoreline. Start with a steady retrieve, then add brief pauses to change the bait's pace rather than relying on constant rod movement.

Choose it for a compact, jig-head-rigged approach to largemouth bass, calico bass, spotted bay bass and halibut. An exposed-hook setup is straightforward to rig and fish, but it can catch weeds or snag rock. Keep it above heavy cover, and carry spare bodies because soft plastic can tear during fishing.

Match the Head to the Water

Pair the body with a suitably sized Big Hammer Swimbait Jig Head. Check that the hook fits the short body without crowding the tail. Start with the lightest head that lets you maintain the depth you want; increase weight when current or deeper water makes the bait difficult to control.

For shallow edges and calmer water, swim it steadily above bottom. Around deeper structure, let it sink before retrieving and use occasional pauses to return it to the strike zone. For halibut, try a controlled retrieve close to sandy bottom, avoiding excessive slack. These are starting approaches, not fixed depth or weight prescriptions.

A Color for Your Starting Point

Use shad- or smelt-style patterns as a starting point when matching local baitfish. Pearl offers a light-colored alternative, while a darker pattern can provide a different silhouette. Let water clarity, light and the forage you see guide your choice, then change one variable at a time so you can judge the response.

Key Features

• Compact 3-inch soft-plastic swimbait body.
• Distinctive square-tail design.
• Unrigged body for a jig-head setup suited to your conditions.
• 15 selectable color patterns.
• Sold individually so you can mix colors.
• Useful for freshwater bass and inshore swimbait presentations.

Models & Specs

Tackle Express Tips

• Thread the body straight onto the hook. Test it beside the boat or bank and re-rig if it tracks unevenly.
• Mark where the hook should exit before rigging so the body stays straight and the tail remains free to move.
• Carry a natural baitfish pattern and a contrasting option. Adjust retrieve speed before changing both color and head weight.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a rigged lure or a replacement body?
It is an unrigged soft-plastic swimbait body, sold individually. Choose a suitable jig head separately.

What jig-head weight should I use?
Choose by depth, current and retrieve speed, not lure length alone. Start light and increase weight only when you need more depth control, while checking hook fit on the 3-inch body.

Can I fish it in freshwater and saltwater?
Yes. Use it for freshwater bass or an inshore presentation for calico bass, spotted bay bass and halibut. Match your hook, leader and tackle to the fish and structure.

When should I choose a larger profile?
Stay with the 3-inch body when you want a small baitfish presentation. If you want a slightly larger, more detailed profile, compare the Big Hammer 3.5" Full Body Swimbait.

The Battlestar 155 Jerkbait gives anglers a sardine-style hard bait for working a twitch-and-pause presentation. Its slim baitfish profile, diving lip and two treble hooks make it a practical option when you want to alternate forward movement with a deliberate pause rather than rely on a constant retrieve. Choose Glow White Sardine or Yellow Head Blue Sardine to round out your lure selection.

Break Up the Steady Retrieve

When fish follow a lure without committing, changing its cadence is a useful next move. Start with short rod-tip twitches, recover the slack, then pause before repeating. The 155 is categorized as neutral buoyancy, making pause-based presentations a natural starting point. Line, hardware and water conditions can affect how a lure behaves at rest, so watch it beside you before making your first full cast.

The Right Pick for a Baitfish Presentation

Choose this jerkbait when you want a hard-bodied baitfish imitation and control over retrieve rhythm. It is a presentation option for anglers targeting baitfish-feeding predators such as bass or halibut, where local conditions and tackle suitability allow. Start in manageable wind and current so you can feel the lure and maintain line control. Around exposed rock, weeds or other snag-prone cover, its treble hooks call for more care than a weedless rig.

Building a selection of related jerkbaits? Compare it with the Battlestar 115 Saltwater Jerkbait so you have another presentation available when fish preferences change.

Details That Keep the Setup Simple

• Slender sardine-style profile for a baitfish-focused presentation.
• Plastic hard body with a visible diving lip.
• Two treble hooks, positioned beneath the body and at the tail.
• Neutral-buoyancy category for a pause-oriented starting approach.
• Two listed finishes: Glow White Sardine and Yellow Head Blue Sardine.

The 155 at a Glance

Find the Cadence Before Adding Speed

Begin with a controlled retrieve and a few short twitches. Keep enough contact to detect a bite without pulling continuously through every pause. If fish follow, try changing one variable at a time: shorter twitches, a longer pause or a steadier retrieve. Use a rod and line appropriate for the lure's rated casting weight and your target fish, and check the lure's swimming action near shore or beside the boat.

For convenient lure changes, consider Battlestar Quick Clips, selecting a size and strength appropriate to your setup. Recheck action after adding terminal hardware.

Tackle Express Tips

• Test the lure beside you with your actual leader and connection. Adjust your pause to the behavior you see, not a fixed count.
• Let fish response guide color changes. Try the two sardine finishes under the same conditions before changing retrieve speed as well.
• Inspect hooks and split rings after contact with structure or a fish. Battlestar 5-inch Mini Split Ring Pliers are a useful addition for split-ring maintenance. Rinse tackle after saltwater use and dry before storage.

Before Your First Cast

How should I retrieve the Battlestar 155?
Start with short twitches followed by a pause. Adjust the rhythm to fish activity, and test a steady retrieve as a comparison.

Does neutral buoyancy mean it will hold perfectly still?
Not necessarily. Leader, clips, replacement hooks and water conditions can affect its behavior. Check it in the water with your complete setup before choosing your pause length.

Which colors are available?
This listing offers Glow White Sardine and Yellow Head Blue Sardine. Select your preferred finish from the color options.

Is it a weedless lure?
No. The exposed treble hooks are better suited to water where you can retrieve without dragging through dense vegetation or snag-prone structure.

Pick your sardine finish and add the Battlestar 155 to your jerkbait rotation at Tackle Express.

The Ima Sasuke 120 Reppa puts a tight wobbling and rolling baitfish presentation just below the surface, with a shifting tungsten weight system to help you reach water beyond the first line of wash. This 120mm, 18g slow-floating minnow is a practical choice when you want casting distance without moving to a bulky, heavier plug.

Cast across a current seam, bring the line tight, and let a steady retrieve establish the swim. Short rod twitches add a change of direction, while a brief pause lets the slow-floating body rise. It is a versatile way to work shallow feeding lanes rather than rushing a lure past fish holding near the surface.

Reach the Seam, Stay in the Shallow Zone

The internal tungsten weights shift toward the tail during the cast, then return forward on the retrieve. That change in balance supports distance casting and a stable swimming presentation. The dished lip produces the Sasuke's characteristic wobbling and rolling action, with a stated running range of 70–90cm. Current, line diameter, rod angle, and retrieve speed affect actual depth.

Best for: surf casting, inlet and estuary current seams, shallow inshore baitfish presentations, and targeting striped bass or calico bass where forage and conditions suit a 120mm minnow. Work open lanes beside structure rather than through heavy weed or exposed rocks.

The Right Pick If You Want a Shallow Swimmer

Choose the Reppa when baitfish are riding high, a topwater is not drawing interest, or you want a swimming plug that rises slowly during pauses. Start with a steady retrieve in moving water and add occasional twitches when fish follow without committing. It is not the first choice for probing deep water or crawling through snag-filled cover: its shallow running range and three treble hooks make open water the better fit.

What Makes the Reppa Different

• Tungsten weight transfer: shifts casting weight rearward, then forward for the retrieve.
• Slow-floating body: allows a rising pause between swimming sequences.
• Dished lip: creates wobbling and rolling action on a steady retrieve.
• ABS plastic construction: a hard-bodied baitfish presentation for saltwater casting.
• Three Owner ST-46 size #6 hooks: the listed factory hook configuration.

Models & Specs

All four color options share these specifications. Select your color above.

Match the Finish to Your Water

Hot Belly Sardine combines a blue back, silver sides, dark spots, and a pink belly for a baitfish look with added contrast. Lime Clear offers a translucent body with a green back, a useful starting point when you want a subtler profile. Cotton Candy adds multicolor flash to silver sides, while Red Head pairs a bold red head with a reflective silver body. Start with the local forage, then change contrast if fish are following but not striking.

Get the Swim Before Adding the Twitch

Use tackle rated to cast an 18g lure, and start by swimming it beside you to find the slowest retrieve that keeps a consistent action. Cast across or slightly up-current, take up slack, and guide the lure through the seam without overpowering it. In calmer water, mix a steady swim with short twitches and brief pauses. Keep enough line contact to detect a take without pulling the lure unnaturally.

For a braid-to-leader setup, pair it with an appropriately matched test of Seaguar Blue Label Fluorocarbon Leader. Balance abrasion allowance against lure movement rather than automatically choosing the heaviest leader. If you want another floating saltwater minnow option for your rotation, compare the Daiwa Salt Pro SP Minnow Floating.

Tackle Express Tips

• Watch the lure near shore before making a long cast. Adjust speed and rod angle until it tracks cleanly in the current you are fishing.
• Give a following fish a change of pace: try one short twitch followed by a brief pause instead of simply reeling faster.
• Rinse with fresh water after saltwater use, dry before storage, and check hooks, split rings, and leader after contact with structure.

Sasuke Questions, Answered

Does the Sasuke 120 Reppa float or sink?
It is a slow-floating minnow. It rises during a pause rather than sinking; added hardware or changes to the factory hooks can affect buoyancy and balance.

How deep does it run?
The stated range is 70–90cm, approximately 2.3–3 feet. Actual running depth changes with current, retrieve speed, line diameter, and rod position.

Should I twitch it or reel steadily?
Start with a steady retrieve to establish its wobbling and rolling swim. Add short twitches and pauses when you want a less predictable presentation, especially if fish follow without taking.

Choose your color and add a shallow-running saltwater minnow to your next surf or inshore session with Tackle Express.