Brett's_daddy Posted May 17, 2019 Posted May 17, 2019 Okay, I've heard how great this sometimes overlooked bait is but as with a Yamamoto baits it isn't cheap and again as with all Yamamoto baits it probably isn't very durable. Is there another bait out there with the same fishing characteristics that is more durable? Or should I just suck it up and buy a couple packs of the Ika? Quote
Super User Choporoz Posted May 17, 2019 Super User Posted May 17, 2019 Overstock/Outlet Bait used to have Palm Trees for deep discount every once in a while Quote
Super User Choporoz Posted May 17, 2019 Super User Posted May 17, 2019 edit: I guess that was a long time ago...lol...didn't realize that Kinami has been dead for a few years....sorry....maybe ebay? Quote
Super User J Francho Posted May 17, 2019 Super User Posted May 17, 2019 There really isn't a substitute, unless you include the Damiki Hydra. This is one that if you want in on the action, you have to pay up. Quote
Brett's_daddy Posted May 17, 2019 Author Posted May 17, 2019 Would a Z-man Hula Stick have the same action? Quote
Super User J Francho Posted May 17, 2019 Super User Posted May 17, 2019 1 minute ago, Brett's_daddy said: Would a Z-man Hula Stick have the same action? Not even close. Quote
Tim Kelly Posted May 17, 2019 Posted May 17, 2019 There's a solid bodied Reins tube that might be vaguely similar, but probably no less expensive. Quote
BassNJake Posted May 17, 2019 Posted May 17, 2019 I like the Keitech salty core tube bait. As with other Keitech baits it is not cheap. I love the way a reverse rig falls back towards the cover as opposed to falling towards the boat. 1 Quote
txchaser Posted May 17, 2019 Posted May 17, 2019 Ika's are much more durable that senkos, if that helps. Quote
JG233 Posted May 17, 2019 Posted May 17, 2019 7 minutes ago, txchaser said: Ika's are much more durable that senkos, if that helps. Yup! Ika's last much longer for me, and are very effective for SMB. Quote
Djohn Posted May 17, 2019 Posted May 17, 2019 Nothing like the fat ika that lasts any longer. Its a great bait on a river. Quote
Tim Kelly Posted May 17, 2019 Posted May 17, 2019 44 minutes ago, BassNJake said: I like the Keitech salty core tube bait. As with other Keitech baits it is not cheap. I love the way a reverse rig falls back towards the cover as opposed to falling towards the boat. That's the one I was thinking of, Keitech, not Reins! Quote
Super User QUAKEnSHAKE Posted May 17, 2019 Super User Posted May 17, 2019 Saying ikas are more durable than senkos in no way means ikas shine in the durability department. They tear rip get tossed off many times after just one fish. Pony up for ikas, like the senko and keitech swing impact fats, theres none better. Quote
Super User webertime Posted May 17, 2019 Super User Posted May 17, 2019 Ika with a screw lock is best Salty core tube is 2nd. Much heavier and pricier per bait. Hydras don't glide, skirt flairs and they just fall. Shove a busted senko up a tube for a ghetto version. Some guys have molds and can do them. Don't buy with skirts that have balls on the end. Mend-it is key Buy 4/0 and 5/0 in regular and superline to vary the weight and how they glide/fall. Quote
The Bassman Posted May 18, 2019 Posted May 18, 2019 I've been fishing Ikas a lot lately. Sometimes I can get 8-10 fish out of one and others the first fish (usually a small one rips the screwlock out. I do get a little more mileage by dripping some super glue at the base of the screwlock when the bait gets torn. Screwlock's the best anchor but a bit of a pain because my line will get caught up in it. I'ts easier to re-tie than it is to get it out. But it's the real deal and worth the hassle. Quote
Super User roadwarrior Posted May 18, 2019 Super User Posted May 18, 2019 19 hours ago, Brett's_daddy said: Okay, I've heard how great this sometimes overlooked bait is but as with a Yamamoto baits it isn't cheap and again as with all Yamamoto baits it probably isn't very durable. Is there another bait out there with the same fishing characteristics that is more durable? Or should I just suck it up and buy a couple packs of the Ika? The Fat Ika is VERY durable. Quote
Brad Reid Posted May 18, 2019 Posted May 18, 2019 Gosh, I had "one of those special days" with a Fat Ika on a private lake in Oklahoma back in 2015, will never forget it, but have never been able to reproduce the results, not at that level, since. Still I try. Like several others here, I'd also place them in the above average durability category. I'd say as Yamamoto plastics go, they are priced pretty average. There is just a whole lot more plastic to them so more material cost. Thoughts: 1) Pronounced "eee-ka" for anyone just curious, not "eye-ka." I think I recall it means "whale" in Japanese. 2) Getting the hook figured out correctly is a very big deal because these little fatties are so dense that it seems harder for the hook to fly out of its plastic to snag a fish. *I once had a very long fight with a large bass, lost him after a long struggle, even a jump or two, only to find out my hook point had never been exposed, still skin-hooked. That danged bass was fighting me just biting down on it and holding on. 3) Fat Ikas cast a mile. For you guys claiming you'd cast a heavy sinker at another encroaching boater getting too close? Using a Fat Ika would be like shooting them with a rubber bullet. Ha! (kidding, not recommended). Finally, I have a feeling a Fat Ika could be slightly modified with a razor blade to make the hook set work better. Fat Ikas likely deserve a whole thread all to themselves. Secrets to share I bet! Brad 2 Quote
The Bassman Posted May 18, 2019 Posted May 18, 2019 6 hours ago, Brad Reid said: Finally, I have a feeling a Fat Ika could be slightly modified with a razor blade to make the hook set work better. Fat Ikas likely deserve a whole thread all to themselves. Secrets to share I bet! Brad I take my braid shears and cut out a notch in front of the hook point. Really helps and doesn't hurt the way the lure behaves. 1 Quote
txchaser Posted May 18, 2019 Posted May 18, 2019 19 hours ago, webertime said: Ika with a screw lock is best Also, the 4/0 Owner Beast hooks fit it perfectly. I wish there was a medium wire version of the same shape though. 1 Quote
Super User fishwizzard Posted May 18, 2019 Super User Posted May 18, 2019 The Jackall Cover Craw also has the same action as the Ika and is surprisingly durable, even with the flapping arms. I use them interchangeably with the Ikas and restock based on which one I find on sale. I would say they are more durable then the Ika if you dont use screwlock hooks. If you do it’s about even. The Kietech Salty Tube works the the same way as the Ika but is larger and heavier. It’s great for pitching into pads with heavier tackle that doesn’t fit as well with the lighter Ika or Cover Craw. Quote
Super User WRB Posted May 19, 2019 Super User Posted May 19, 2019 Long before there was a Ika we put a worm inside the tube called it a cap & gown. The Fat Ika is a wide body different then a cap & gown. Denny Brauer Flipping tube is 4 1/2" solid body tube that isn't too expensive, $4.25 for 8 each. I would use the Fat Ika because it's unique. Tom Quote
smithy97 Posted May 19, 2019 Posted May 19, 2019 The Ika is a go-to flipping bait in pads and slop for me. Rig it skirt down, and it goes thru cover very well. Give it a pop or two upwards off the bottom and that skirt flares out. Fish love it. And you can rig it skirt upwards weightless and use it as a dock bait, swimming it right under there. They are worth the price for sure. Quote
Brad Reid Posted May 19, 2019 Posted May 19, 2019 23 hours ago, roadwarrior said: Ika = Squid Ah! Squid, of course. Thanks for the correction. I might take one out this afternoon, give it a go! Brad Quote
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