Imakatsu Gill Soft

IMAKATSU’s GillSoft is a gill-shaped jointed swimbait designed to improve hooking performance, a common challenge with bulky, gill-profiled lures. Its soft material allows the body to fold and enter a bass’s mouth more easily. Developed by Naoyuki Mihara, known for his expertise with the Gillroid Jr. and Lazy Swimmer, this model is the first release under his own “WAZAMONO” brand. It measures 130 mm, weighs 1.8 oz, and has a slow-floating action.

Its jointed construction enables side-to-side darting action that is difficult to achieve with conventional swimbaits, while continuous manipulation produces a head-shaking action reminiscent of a hard lure. In addition to its effective stop-and-pause presentation during colder water periods, it is designed to perform well during seasons when bass respond to faster movements. Each fin is sculpted with a three-dimensional, realistic profile, while the pectoral fins are attached separately rather than molded as part of the body, producing a delicate, water-responsive quivering action. The hook is secured to the body to minimize interference when the lure is inhaled.

A side hook hanger is positioned on the flank for attaching a treble hook, allowing the belly hook to be removed and the lure to be converted to a side-hook configuration as conditions require. Hook sizes #3 or #4 are recommended. By attaching a snap to the side hook hanger, the lure can also be rigged to swim horizontally.