Ima Skimmer 110 Topwater Lure

The Only Topwater Hardbait That Looks Like a Soft Stick

The Ima Skimmer 110 is unlike any other hard plastic topwater stickbait on the market. While every other walking hardbait has a fat, rounded body, the Skimmer is built with the slender, pencil-thin profile of a 5" soft plastic stickbait — the most proven bass-catching shape in freshwater fishing. That slim silhouette is something bass have been conditioned to eat for decades, and the Skimmer is the only topwater hardbait that delivers it.

The Boil That Seals the Deal

The Skimmer's tail-weighted design creates a one-of-a-kind surface action. On every zig and zag, the weighted tail end stirs the water into a large, violent boil — and then the Skimmer slips out just ahead of it, like a desperate baitfish narrowly escaping a bass's lunge. That boil-and-escape sequence is irresistible. It triggers the predatory instinct in bass that have seen every other topwater presentation and shut down.

Why Fat-Bodied Walking Baits Miss the Mark

Traditional walking baits like the Zara Spook have a wide, rounded body that produces a smooth glide. The Skimmer's slender profile creates a completely different visual trigger — one that more closely mimics the slim, darting profile of a shad, herring, or alewife. On pressured fisheries where bass have seen every fat-bodied walking bait in the box, the Skimmer's unique silhouette and boil action stands out.

Slim Profile, Maximum Action

At 4.25 in (110mm) and 7/16 oz, the Skimmer is perfectly sized for medium-action spinning or baitcasting gear. It walks easily with minimal rod work, casts exceptionally well for its size, and the tail-weighted balance keeps it riding low in the water — maximizing contact with the surface and amplifying that signature boil on every direction change.

The Right Pick If...

• Fat-bodied walking baits are getting ignored on pressured water
• You want a topwater with a slim, soft-plastic-style profile
• You're targeting largemouth or smallmouth bass feeding on shad, herring, or alewives
• You want a walking bait that creates a dramatic surface boil on every twitch
• You fish clear water where a natural, slender profile makes a difference

Best Retrieve Techniques

• Walk the Dog: Rhythmic rod-tip twitches with a steady retrieve — the Skimmer walks easily and the tail boils on every direction change
• Pause and Walk: Walk 3–5 times, pause, then walk again — the pause lets the boil settle and often triggers strikes from following fish
• Slow Walk: Slower cadence for finicky fish or post-front conditions — the slim profile stays in the strike zone longer
• Twitch and Pause: Single twitches with long pauses — deadly when bass are lethargic or in post-spawn recovery

Best Conditions

• Calm to lightly choppy surface — the boil action is most visible in calmer water
• Low-light periods — early morning and late evening when bass are most active on top
• Post-spawn through fall when bass are chasing shad and herring on the surface
• Clear water fisheries where a natural, slender profile triggers more strikes
• Pressured lakes where fat-bodied walking baits have been picked apart

Best For

• Species: Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Striped Bass, White Bass
• Techniques: Topwater Walking, Walk-the-Dog, Pause-and-Walk, Twitch-and-Pause
• Conditions: Calm surface, low-light, post-spawn, clear water, pressured fisheries

Key Features

• Slender soft-plastic-style profile — the only topwater hardbait with this silhouette
• Tail-weighted design creates a violent surface boil on every direction change
• 4.25 in (110mm) body length
• 7/16 oz weight — ideal for medium-action spinning or baitcasting gear
• Walks easily with minimal rod work
• Exceptional casting distance for its size
• 12 color patterns to match any forage or water condition

Models & Colors

Tackle Express Tips

• Go Light on Gear: The Skimmer shines on a 7' medium spinning rod with 10–15 lb braid and a 10 lb fluorocarbon leader. The lighter setup lets the bait walk more freely and enhances the tail boil action.
• Match Color to Forage: In shad-heavy lakes, go with American Shad, Real Ghost Shad, or Ghost Minnow. In herring fisheries, Blueback Herring and Ghost Chartreuse Herring are deadly. In clear water, Chrome and Chattahoochee Chrome create maximum flash.
• Use a Loop Knot: A Rapala loop knot gives the Skimmer maximum freedom of movement and enhances the walking action and tail boil, especially at slower retrieve speeds.

FAQ

How is the Ima Skimmer 110 different from other walking baits?
The Skimmer has a slender, pencil-thin body profile that mimics a soft plastic stickbait — something no other topwater hardbait offers. Combined with its tail-weighted boil action, it presents a completely different visual trigger than fat-bodied walking baits like the Zara Spook.

What rod and line setup works best?
A 7'–7'2" medium spinning rod with 10–15 lb braid and a 10–12 lb fluorocarbon leader is ideal. The Skimmer can also be fished on a medium baitcaster, but spinning gear gives it the most natural walking action.

Is the Ima Skimmer 110 good for smallmouth bass?
Absolutely. The slim profile and natural shad/herring color options make it a top smallmouth bait, especially in clear water lakes and rivers where smallmouth are keyed in on slender baitfish.