fat ika rigging

[roadwarrior]

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

 

Spinning tackle. Gamakatsu 4/0 EWG, #4 Yo-Zuri Hybrid

 

[txchaser]

22 hours ago, Yeajray231 said:

@txchaser you using the 4/0 ewg ? I almost always manage to get 2-5 fish per bait 

I did. I just really like CPS-style hooks. Something about the fast head shake on the dinks really shreds the IKA. Plus the hooksets were tougher for me to get right.

 

10 hours ago, Bass_Fishing_Socal said:

if you fish a lot of Fat Ika, and if you cheap like me lol. I got alternative for you. 50pk Mustad 3/0 do it mold, plus 50 twisted lock total less than 20 bucks. I use this hook for weighted Fluke and Fat Ika, otherwise just 4/0 Gama EWG hook.

Thanks! Are you skin-hooking or does the hook point end up buried in the ika?

 

10 hours ago, Sam said:

 

I use a heavy bait casting rod for the presentation.

 

Missed more than I have caught on a Fat Ika but it is fun to throw.

 

10 hours ago, Sam said:

 

Make sure the hook is large, sharp, and strong.

 

Interesting, I'm throwing it on lighter line (10-12lb) , and looking for nearly finesse hooksets. I guess I fish it just like a t-rigged senko where I use the owner CPS lights. When I fished it on heavier gauge wire hooks I had to whack it really hard to get a hookset, and missed a bunch.

 

[FishTank]

Owner Wide Gap Plus.  This hook is made for the Fat Ika.  It's thicker than most, wider, sharper, and has a slightly shorter profile than other EWGs. 

[JustJames]

2 hours ago, txchaser said:

 

Thanks! Are you skin-hooking or does the hook point end up buried in the ika?

 

With fat Ika you have to enlarge the hole a little where hook point going through, otherwise you would end up with hook point buried into plastic instead of fish mouth (problem with Gama EWG). I normally don’t skin hook with fat Ika. 

[The Bassman]

On 3/22/2020 at 12:18 AM, txchaser said:

Older thread, but didn't see a need to start a new one.

 

I've been experimenting with hooks to find a favorite for the Fat Ika. The regular EWG's just weren't doing it for me because the IKAs were getting wrecked pretty quickly. And the owner CPS hooks didn't have a lot of space for the IKA. Plus they really need to have the larger CPS installed.

 

I noticed the Hayabusa Swimbait hooks had a big wide gap in them, and a nice screwlock to boot. Coated too. Anyway I bought a pack of them and I found my new favorite. They are great. Hook isn't too thick so I can use lighter line, IKA fits well. And they are on sale right now too.

 

 

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Hayabusa_WRM958_Wide_Gap_Screw_Lock_Hooks/descpage-HFWSL.html

This is the hook I've settled on for Ikas. I do make one change, though. I swap out the screw lock for a large Owner center pin lock. I get a lot more mileage out of my baits. The stock spring is too light gauge and wants to stretch and tear out of the bait. Another mod I do is to cut a notch out of my bait in front of the hook point. Really helps with hook ups.

[fishwizzard]

I use more Cover Craws then Fat Ikas but I use the same hooks for both, either 4/0 Owner Beasts or 4/0 Gamakatsu Deep Throat Wide Gaps.  I use them almost exclusively pitched to cover or in pad fields so I MH-H rods and 14-16lb line.