Fat Ika finesse thoughts

[Hogsticker]

Anyone down size these baits and finesse them? I was thinking about cutting off half the body and fishing it weightless. It should still sink fairly well at a slower rate. Could be killer on pressured fish. I'd like to fish it in open water with an exposed hook, rigged backwards of course. 

Anyone have any suggestions for a 1/0 hook to use for this? I don't want it to be too light of gauge to prevent bending, plus the plastic is pretty thick. I don't want it to be too heavy duty either to prevent the bait from tearing and to keep from adding weight. I think a straight shank worm hook would be best, but they all seem to be light wire. 

[tbone1993]

Gamakatsu Offset G-Lock Worm Hook is an awesome hook. I use them for smallie beavers too.

[Hogsticker]

9 minutes ago, tbone1993 said:

Gamakatsu Offset G-Lock Worm Hook is an awesome hook. I use them for smallie beavers too.

I was wanting to fish it with an exposed hook. 

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

Tossing out ideas

Smaller 3" ikas?http://www.overstockbait.com/Gary-Yamamoto-3-Ika-10-count-p/92-10.htm

For similar smaller presentation there are 3" Damiki Hydras

Here a size comparison dont have the 3" ika to show.

A person could take the skirt off the ika and put it on the hydra body or buy ika skirts to put on.

regular 4" ika - 3" hydra- tiny ika

[Hogsticker]

Thanks for the ideas. I didn't think you could find the standard version anymore. I'm fixated on the idea of down sizing the fat version till I get the sink rate dialed in perfect. I'm really hoping someone can point me in the right direction for the hook I'm after. 

[roadwarrior]

Well, although I am curious to hear your review, I don't think the Fat Ika can be improved upon.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/lake-guntersville-2012.html

 

[fishwizzard]

I have tried to fish a Damiki Hydra 3" rigged backwards on a 1/0 EWG.  It sinks very very slowly, more then I can stand.  I am experimenting with small nail weights to try and speed it up a touch.  I have had good luck fishing the Tiny Ikas weightless for white perch, but they seem to sink much faster and I tend to throw it in very shallow water.  

[primetime]

Overstock still has the big Ika which is not the fat version in both 4 and 5" and the 2.99 sale for GYB baits may still be going on, I have not been on their in a bit....But they had over 30 colors left and most good...

I have never fished them on an open hook, but I Would think they would need a Wide Gap Jighead or hook, maybe just nose hook it with a 1/0 circle hook or something similar..I usually fish it skirt up like a regular tube, but I stopped using them in the past year for no good reason...I always liked that bait in all sizes...Overstock should have them hopefully, at most they will be $5 for Fat Ika or Big Ika, and then all the other GYB baits...I always look for sales on that site for GYB grubs and baits I can't Afford...They seem to be better than the Damiki version and do have a nice horizontal fall which is unique...GYB makes good baits..Good luck.

For a hook I would go with a straight Shank like you mentioned to avoid line twisting...An Oshanassy would work well on the larger big ika which is not as fat as the fat IKa..same as a 6" SENKO in diameter...I rig em weedless on a 4/0? EWG mustad weighted hook, or regular offset round bend etc..I would think a Ball Style Jighead would be good open as well, they work good when swimming them, I saw a guy win a tournament slow rolling them above the bottom with an unpegged weight and bead....

Glad you mentioned them...This is the time of year I should be using them...They cast a mile and were always a sure thing if fish were in the area for most part...

[Hogsticker]

Primetime - I have a ton of 2/0, 1/16 Oz Owner Ultra ball heads I use for other finesse plastic work. These might be a good choice indeed. I'll take a look at those shagnasty or whatever they're called hooks for weightless work. Never shopped on overstock but I'll take a looksy. Thanks for the info, and you're right - it's a good time of year to to give this a whirl.