What is i-motion technique? -A Complete Guide to Usage, Timing, and Top Baits
- 1. What is the i-Motion Technique?
- 2. The Birth of the i-Motion Technique
- 3. Tips for Using the i-Motion Technique
- 4. When to Use i-Motion Lures
- 5. Recommended i-Motion Baits
- 6. Summary
1. What is the i-Motion Technique?
In bass fishing, the i-Motion technique refers to a method of retrieving lipless lures that imitate small fish by minimizing action and moving them in a straight line, resembling the letter "I." You might think, "Can this really catch fish?" because there's so little movement, but in reality, natural baitfish don't wiggle their bodies dramatically—they swim straight. The i-Motion technique recreates this natural swimming pattern, featuring a natural appeal that doesn't trigger a bass's wariness.
Generally, lures are designed to swim flashily or create vibrations to attract bass, but i-Motion baits intentionally "don't move much," making them harder for bass to detect in high-pressure situations. The weapon of the i-Motion lure is precisely this lack of action.
2. The Birth of the i-Motion Technique
The i-Motion technique was named around 2007, following the popularity of the "S-shape" technique (known as "Glide baits" in the US, called "S-shape" in Japan because they swim in an S-pattern), but its roots go back to the early 2000s. While the S-shape technique used larger baits that swam with pronounced side-to-side action, the i-Motion approach went in the opposite direction. At that time, a new fishing method was discovered using DEPS's "Deathadder" soft-plastic with no weight, simply retrieving it across the surface with minimal action, which gradually gained recognition for its effectiveness.
Initially, this technique required delicate adjustments to rig and retrieval, making it accessible only to advanced anglers. However, by around 2019, specialized hard baits were released by various brands, making it an easily approachable method that rapidly gained popularity. Today, manufacturers continue to release new products, and the i-Motion technique—characterized by "making no unnatural movements"—has established itself as one of the mainstream techniques in Japanese bass fishing.
The i-Motion technique, originating from Japan, is not yet mainstream in the U.S. tournaments like MLF or B.A.S.S., and remains unfamiliar to many anglers. However, it has begun to be utilized by well-informed anglers and Japanese pros, proving particularly effective in clear water and high-pressured fields.
Although not yet mainstream in the U.S., the technique consistently produces results, so we recommend adopting it early as a secret technique.
3. Tips for Using the i-Motion Technique
The i-Motion technique may seem simple as "just retrieving in a straight line," but in reality, it's challenging to maintain the baits’ posture while keeping a constant speed and appropriate line tension. Mastering these points is crucial for improving your catch rate.
Additionally, to effectively use the i-Motion technique, you need to select the right field conditions. For example, on windy days or in areas with current, i-Motion baits—typically small and lightweight—become difficult to throw far or control properly, increasing the difficulty. Also, since these baits do not draw bass at a distant, they're not suitable when bass are scattered, or their location is unknown.
Assess whether conditions are right for the i-Motion technique to maximize its appeal, considering factors like whether the water is calm and if bass positions can be narrowed down.
4. When to Use i-Motion Lures
As mentioned earlier, the i-Motion technique is effective in specific scenarios. Let's consider when it works best.
4.1. When the water is clear, and bass are pressured
The i-Motion technique particularly shines in clear water or mirror-like water conditions with no wind. In high-visibility situations, bass are sensitive to unnatural lure movements and can detect the slightest irregularity. This is where the i-Motion's "slow retrieve in a straight line" natural movement works effectively without triggering suspicion.
4.2. When bass have low energy
The characteristic of i-Motion baits is their simple, "just swimming straight" movement. While many lures use aggressive actions or vibrations to appeal to bass, i-Motion baits deliberately suppress active movement, creating quiet, natural action. For instance, during post-spawn periods when bass have appetite but lack the energy to chase active bait, presenting an i-Motion baits that looks like an easy meal can trigger a reaction.
4.3. When bass are ambushing bait
Tired bass rest in weeds while ambushing passing baitfish. For example, in early summer, bass are in post-spawn recovery mode, so they hide in gaps between obstacles waiting for exhausted bluegill that are also recovering from spawning. In fall's baitfish pattern, bass target small fish like alewife, threadfin Shad.
Bass ambushing prey from obstacles observe bait movements carefully, so the natural presentation of i-Motion baits is necessary to avoid detection. Choose baits that match the bass's prey awareness.
5. Recommended i-Motion Baits
5.1. Basics
For i-Motion beginners, we recommend JACKALL NAGISA 65SP. This typical small fish-type i-Motion bait has a stabilizer on the rear hook, ensuring straight-line stability at any speed. Combined with a clear tail, it won't trigger suspicion in bass, leading to bites. It's a stable, standard bait from JACKALL, a pioneer in i-Motion hard plugs.
IMAKATSU iArrow is ideal when you want to keep your distance from bass and eliminate human presence. It enables long-distance casting, addressing the poor castability common to many lightweight i-Motion baits. It also features a stabilizer that reduces operator error leading to detection and improves straight-line performance—a valuable feature for the i-Motion technique, which basically involves getting bites after long chases.
5.2. Soft-plastics
In tougher environments, trying i-Motion with soft-plastics that have high hook-setting ability is an option. However, this requires delicate rigging, and even slight bends or twists in the hook setup that aren't immediately noticeable can cause problems, requiring extreme attention to detail. Nevertheless, soft-plastics offer greater naturalness compared to hard baits, so having them ready for situations where hook-setting power is prioritized will expand your options.
DEPS Deathadder, the original i-Motion bait, remains popular even after easier-to-use i-Motion hard baits appeared. It swims tracing a V-shaped path on the water surface, featuring simplicity and naturalness without creating unnecessary waves. For zero-flutter performance, a "sewn" rigging method is recommended.
JACKALL Driftfry is well-known for mid-strolling and hover-strolling, but it can also be used as an i-Motion bait by cutting off the lip. In flowing rivers, try letting it drift without weights to mimic a weak small fish being carried by the current.
5.3. Advanced Techniques
While the i-Motion technique involves reeling at a constant speed while suppressing wave action, there are advanced variations that add some action. These accent movements become effective when bass have become accustomed to the i-Motion movement.
MEGABASS KARASHI IGX, introduced in 2022, is a new generation i-Motion bait that, unlike conventional i-Motion baits with "absolutely no action," incorporates a slight wobbling movement like a weakened small fish. This might be considered the ultimate i-Motion bait resulting from pursuing the actual movements of weakened small fish.
There's also an advanced technique where anglers deliberately add action. DEPS’s slim, small fish-shaped WAKASAGI BAIT has a sparkling hologram body that makes it an attractive target for hungry bass. When a bass spots it, adding twitches creates contrast with the i-Motion movement, stimulating the bass's predatory instinct.
It's also effective to choose lures resembling specific bait and present them with i-Motion movement. Post-spawn bass target spawning bluegill. T.H. Tackls ZOE, modeled after real bluegill with an ultra-realistic appearance, won't be detected even when shown slowly. Its rubber skirt not only appeals to bass but also acts as a brake to restrain forward momentum, helping it move without fluttering its body excessively and limiting travel distance. When swimming ZOE with i-Motion action, bass will mistake it for a spawning-exhausted bluegill and strike.
6. Summary
This blog has explained the i-Motion technique, which deliberately suppresses action.
- [1] When the water is clear, and bass are pressured
Natural presentation is essential to avoid detection - [2] When bass have low energy
The technique effectively imitates weakened small fish that are easy for bass to eat - [3] When bass are ambushing bait
Choose baits that match the season's baitfish and work them slowly enough that they won't be detected even under careful observation
The timing for use can be divided into the three scenarios mentioned above. Since the i-Motion technique itself has low power to draw bass at a distant, throw it in situations where bass locations are somewhat predictable.
Various baits suitable for the i-Motion technique are available.
- [1]For beginners: i-Motion hard lures
-JACKALL NAGISA 65SP
-IMAKATSU iArrow - [2]High difficulty but extremely natural soft baits
-DEPS Death Adder
-JACKALL Driftfry - [3]Advanced i-Motion baits
-MEGABASS KARASHI IGX
-DEPS WAKASAGI BAIT
-T.H. Tackle ZOE
While it requires some skill, incorporating this technique will surely help your fishing. Give it a try!