Excited as ever as we received the much-anticipated new jig from IMA, the 'Ichimatsu', we wasted no time in getting on the water and putting them to good use. Good fortune befell us as an impromptu cruise invitation meant the wait to wet the 'Ichimatsus' wouldn't be long. Ship ahoy!
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| We wait anxiously on the luxurious deck as the sportfisher is deployed for our use... |
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| The helpful crew gets the gear prepped and we don't forget the Gopros for your Tackle Source TV fix... |
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| This trip is not all about the IMA Ichimatsu jig. We have a new toy from Major Craft as well - the new flagship X-ride in ultralight Aji guise... |
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| The Ichimatsu jig draws first blood with a Cheek-lined Maori Wrasse... |
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| There were no shortage of reef-species as we would find out... |
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| A Black-lined Rock Cod attacked the IMA Ichimatsu as well... |
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| Here's a beautiful Blue-Spotted Rock Cod on the good old Evergreen Caprice Kid jig... |
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| Followed by another Rock Cod & Maori Wrasse on the funky blue IMA Ichimatsu... |
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| This good Coral Trout then took the small jig and got snagged in the back, providing a great fight indeed. And properly christening the new rod... |
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| The IMA Ichimatsu jig sits pinned in the body... |
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| Red-eared Emperors are common in these parts but are much appreciated for their spirited fight ability. They gave their approval of the IMA Ichimatsu jigs emphatically... |
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| These Emperors are great fighters and on the light gear they run hard... |
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| The good old Major Craft Airlights ultralight rod fully loaded... |
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| Another great fighting Red-eared Emperor taken on an IMA Gun Peki this time... |
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| Switching to the Bassday Bungy Metal II jig produces the same result with another Emperor... |
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| Long Toms are constantly on the prowl and would snatch a jig near the surface and explode out of the water acrobatically. This one was landed on a Major Craft Go-Emotion and IMA Gun Peki combo... |
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| Meanwhile the zebra liveried IMA Ichimatsu jig with a trio of reefies... |
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| Some were even fighting to get attached... |
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| A little Sand Bream on the Bassday Bungy Metal II jig... |
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| The IMA Ichimatsu jigs come in some psychedelic colours and they make their mark on the reef population as well... |
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| A larger than normal Sandy Bream which went well even on the slightly heavier Major Craft Solpara Light Jig Special rod... |
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| This normally-passive species couldn't help itself when encountered with an IMA Ichimatsu... |
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| Even a large Green-eyed Squid is fooled and pinned by the Ichimatsu... |
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| Another rare reef encounter - a Flutefish which took a liking to an IMA Gun Peki jig... |
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| The species list grows as this Fusilier is fooled by the IMA Gun Peki as well... |
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| More candidates on the IMA Ichimatsu getting a photo taken... |
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| The Light Jig Special Solpara rod comes in handy with a pesky Barracuda... |
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| We were lucky it didn't take this IMA Ichimatsu jig home with it... |
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| Another duo on the IMA Ichimatsu, this time two Groupers... |
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| And yet another two species on the favourite pink Ichimatsu jig as well... |
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| As the sun rose the following morning we were out and about again and we found some pelagics were out to play. This tough Blue Runner liked the IMA Ichimatsu jig so much it became our first catch of the day... |
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| Next up a Longfin Trevally comes aboard. Its a small one but a beauty all the same... |
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| The chrome IMA Ichimatsu gets its stamp of approval... |
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| A beautifully marked Harlequin Tuskfish is the next IMA Ichimatsu victim... |
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| Neon or natural, the Ichimatsu jigs continue to haul fish... |
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| We had some pleasant surprises in the form of juvenile Tunas like this one on the IMA Gun Peki... |
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| A tough fight on the light Major Craft X-ride rod ends with this nice Diamond Trevally in the boat... |
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| The 'candy' IMA Ichimatsu jig scores! |
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| Blue Runners are a great-looking fish and they go hard... |
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| And they love IMA Gun Pekis too... |
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| Another awesome fight on the Major Craft Go-Emotion spin stick and this turns up. A nice Gold-Spot Trev... |
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| The limited colour IMA Gun Peki continues to produce... |
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| Black-lined Cods seldom grow this big. It was a handful on the ultralight outfit trying to keep it out of structure... |
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| The IMA Ichimatsu scores again... |
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| Another cute juvenile Tuna on the IMA Gun Peki... |
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| We never tire of hauling up species after species. Size doesn't always matter with the light outfits and the luck of the draw consumes you. Another Longfin Trevally is taken on the IMA Ichimatsu... |
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| Blue-Spotted Rock Cods are one of the most common captures on these reefs but it doesn't make them any less fun to catch... |
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| Off a sandy patch comes this Sand Bream, which couldn't pass on the IMA Gun Peki... |
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| A Triple-tail Maori Wrasse and a Grass Emperor on 'candy' IMA Ichimatsu jigs... |
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| Rock Cods just love IMAs... |
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| So do Emperors... |
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| This Red-eared Emperor confirms it... |
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| As does this Brown-striped Snapper... |
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| A quicker retrieve rate with the IMA Ichimatsu switches on the pelagics, and this GT falls victim... |
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| These jigs are phenomenal and the results speak for themselves. The IMA Ichimatsu is here to stay... |
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| More victims on the Ichimatsu jig... |
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| Fast speeds also mean Blue Runners aren't far behind... |
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| The little IMA Gun Peki converts this hit into capture... |
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| This Blue-Spotted Rock Cod took the Ichimatsu head first and jammed its jaw open... |
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| We had a delightful couple days on the water and we wrapped the last session with another welcomed Coral Trout on the Major Craft Solpara outfit... |
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| Like all else before it, it fell for the IMA Ichimatsu jig. What else? |
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