Versatile Swimbaits: Mastering Fast Retrieves, Slow Retrieves, Dragging, and Skipping

1. Powerful Swimbaits for Reaching Deep into Cover with Straight Retrieval

Originally envisioned as the world's first 'Weedless Jointed Swimbaits,' the Javallon offers remarkable cover avoidance capabilities thanks to its hidden hook design.

Although the Stealth Swimmer has recently outperformed it in terms of cover evasion, the Javallon's intense water displacement effectively alerts distant bass to its presence. Incorporating it into your swimbait strategy around covers can significantly increase your catch rate.

2. Keitech Materials Enable Unparalleled Body Swirl and Feeding Power During Stay

Although Imakatsu's soft-plastics are primarily made in China like most others, as of 2024 their Javallon 140 is an exception, being manufactured in Japan by Keitech, known for their Swing Impact series. Imakatsu insists on the higher cost of Japanese production due to the specific qualities they deem essential for the Javallon, including the material facilitates movement of the body, and the scent and taste, well-known to Keitech enthusiasts.

*140 only

At first glance, the Javallon, primarily used as a swimbait for straight retrieves, might seem to not require an excessive focus on material. However, the true strength of Javallon lies in techniques like "dragging & staying," which have gained attention in Japan recently, typical of soft-plastics. For these techniques, Keitech's material has proven to be indispensable.

By utilizing Keitech's materials, Javallon exhibits lifelike, subtle movements upon mere contact with the slightest bottom undulations, as seen in the video. When it contacts structures, it generates a flaring action, undulating its body to entice bites. In fact, Javallon often receives numerous bites when intentionally collided with vertical structures. Moreover, when left stationary on the bottom, it demonstrates a lifelike, spontaneous movement that tempts bass to pick it up, even without any action from the angler. This inherent liveliness, combined with Keitech's quality materials, taste, and scent, effectively leads to bass bites.

3. Fast Retrieval with Texas Rig: Body Deformation Unique to This Lure Induces Reaction Bites

When Javallon is retrieved slowly, it swims with a pronounced undulation of its body. However, when retrieved quickly using a heavy Texas rig, its body stretches out, creating a "SHIVER ACTION" that closely mimics a panicked, desperately fleeing baitfish. This high-speed action causes the full-body undulation to disappear, leaving only small movements in the lower half and tail. At first glance, compared to its movement during a steady retrieve, it might seem less likely to catch fish. But upon closer observation, the tail flutters irregularly left and right while the "three block-like sections" of the body vibrate intensely and randomly.

4. Free-Rig: Mimicking Baitfish Pursuing Prey

The Free Rig, a technique not existing at the time of Javallon's initial release, features a weight that falls and touches the bottom before the soft-plastic. This allows the still-descending soft-plastic to become tension-free, falling naturally like an Unweighted Texas rig. However, as observed through live imaging technology like LiveScope, it's often seen that the weight and soft-plastic don't separate by more than 30cm during descent, which can be disappointing for anglers expecting a greater difference between imagination and reality. Yet, Javallon, with its significant water resistance, allows the weight to fall much faster, followed by the Javallon diving down as if chasing after it, resembling baitfish pursuing prey such as goby. This is definitely worth checking out with LiveScope. (Recommended weight sizes are 7-10g for the Javallon 140 and 17g for the Javallon 200)
Most bites occur the moment the weight touches the bottom. At this point, Javallon momentarily becomes a no-weight, abruptly stopping its downward swimming and changing its body shape with a wobble and a flare of its fins.

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5. Maximizing Catch Rates with Size Selection

As of January 2024, Javallon is available in three sizes: the original 140, 200, and the newly released Javallon Fly 65. While initially offered in five sizes, these three have become the mainstay offerings.

Javallon Fly 65

As of 2024, the Javallon Fly 65 is the smallest size in the Javallon series, offering excellent compatibility with dropshot and Carolina rigs. Like the original sizes, it vigorously flutters its tail during the fall and induces bites through its 'gnarly' shape transformation upon hitting the bottom. To maximize this shape-changing action, a heavier weight is recommended for varied pacing, especially effective in reaction dropshotting.

Javallon 140

The Javallon 140 is the core size in the series, as mentioned earlier, made with a salt-infused material. It is designed not only as a swimbait but also for use like a soft-plastic.

Javallon 200

The Javallon 200 is characterized by its overwhelming volume, maximizing the unique water displacement feature of Javallon. This size can attract bass from a distance, a feature not as noticeable in other swimbaits. Its rarity as a cover-strong swimbait in this size makes it particularly effective for luring large bass hiding in covers. According to Mr. Imakatsu's blog, it is currently considered the best size for use with a Free-Rig in the Javallon series. (*The Javallon 200 comes with a dedicated offset hook #8/0.)