IMA Rattling Salt Skimmer | 11cm 14g – The Surface Sound Specialist

At Gerry’s Fishing, we know that sometimes a visual lure isn’t enough—you need to appeal to a predator’s ears as well. The IMA Rattling Salt Skimmer is the loud, proud sibling of the original Skimmer. At 11cm and 14g, it maintains the iconic, ultra-slim profile that mimics a fleeing sandeel or garfish, but adds a high-frequency acoustic trigger that calls fish in from the distance.

This is a topwater “pencil” lure designed to dance across the surface film. Its unique, rear-weighted balance makes it one of the easiest lures to “walk the dog,” creating a zigzagging wake that is irresistible to Bass, especially when they are locked onto fast-moving baitfish in the surface layers.

Why the Rattling Salt Skimmer is a Surface Essential

1. The Acoustic Rattling Chamber

Unlike silent surface sliders, the Rattling Salt Skimmer features a dedicated internal chamber. This produces a distinct, high-pitched rattle during the retrieve. In choppy water or low-visibility conditions, this sound helps predatory fish home in on the lure’s location before they can even see it, significantly increasing your strike rate in “noisy” environments.

2. Aerodynamic “Tail-Down” Casting

Despite its slender shape, the Salt Skimmer is a distance specialist. It features an internal weight system positioned towards the rear. This ensures the lure flies “tail-first” like an arrow, cutting through coastal winds and reaching the far-off gullies where bigger fish are hunting. Once it hits the water, it sits tail-down, ready to jump into action at the first twitch of the rod.

3. The “Skimmer” Slim Profile

The ultra-thin, shallow-belly design is a dead ringer for the slender baitfish found in UK and European waters. Its shape offers very little air or water resistance, allowing it to “shimmer” and slide across the surface with minimal effort. It is highly responsive to the slightest tip movement, making it a versatile tool for both fast, aggressive retrieves and slow, subtle work.

Technical Specifications

Product Details and Uses

Mastering the Surface Dance

The Salt Skimmer is at its best when worked with a rhythmic “Walk the Dog” retrieve. By keeping your rod tip down and giving consistent, short snaps of the wrist, the lure will zig-zag frantically. The addition of the rattling chamber means that even if you miss a beat, the sound keeps the fish interested. This is a lethal technique for Bass patrolling shallow rocky plateaus or estuary mouths during a pushing tide.

Targeting Predators in the “Wash”

Because this lure floats, it is the perfect choice for fishing over “heavy” ground—reefs, kelp forests, and shallow rocks—where a diving lure would snag instantly. The rattling sound is particularly effective in the “white water” or wash near cliffs, where the natural noise of the sea might drown out a silent lure. The Skimmer’s acoustic signal cuts through the froth to grab a predator’s attention.

Finesse and Long-Range Search

The 14g weight is perfectly balanced for Medium-Light (ML) lure rods. This setup allows for maximum sensitivity and long-range casting. It’s an excellent “searching” lure; because it casts so well and creates so much commotion (both visual and audible), you can cover vast areas of water quickly to locate active shoals of fish.

Gerry’s Pro Tip:

When the water is very calm, try the “Panic-Pause” method. Work the Skimmer fast for 3–4 meters so the rattles are screaming, then stop it dead. Because the lure sits tail-down in the water, the head will stay above the surface, looking like a gasping baitfish. Often, a Bass that has been trailing the lure will smash it the second it stops rattling and starts “gasping.”

High-frequency sound, long-distance casting, and a legendary slim profile—the IMA Rattling Salt Skimmer is the loud-and-proud surface hunter that belongs in every saltwater bag.