Are Fat Ikas Really that Expensive to Pour?!

[The_Natural]

We can rule out the 'They require a lot of plastic' argument because Senkos and other stickbait knockoff's require significantly more plastic than a Fat Ika.  I guess I was expecting the Fat Ika kockoff's to be really cheap like the Senko and Beaver knockoff's, so I was quite surprised when I saw they ran $6 for a pack of 10.  That's .60 cents a pop for you mathematically challenged folk.  It just seems like a lot of money to spend for a grub that has a skirted tail versus a curly tail.  

[crankybaits]

i was under the impression that the expense came from the skirt that has to be attached to the IKA.  

[fretfishman]

my guess would be that people are used to paying these prices for yamamoto style baits, so commanding similar price tags for all of those baits is fairly easy. if that weren't the case I'd say it's not only the skirt being attached to a very soft plastic, but also the same impregnation that the senko goes through. when you look at a fat ika or hula grub it's not really lacking much plastic compared to a 4-5" senko. I think the real question is why we pay this much for any of these soft plastics.  ;D

waveworm are priced very nicely for their soft plastics! I have been trying waveworm senkos lately and they're working just as well as yamamoto. I plan to get some *** soon, as well.

[=Matt 5.0=]

i was under the impression that the expense came from the skirt that has to be attached to the IKA.

Bingo...

[21farms]

they aren't cheap, that's for sure.  i really only carry them for the 'one-stop-shopping' aspect, not the 'get rich factor'. I make right around a buck a bag.

brent, i find your openness refreshing. i too had wondered why * weren't that much less than fat ikas and had actually just bought a bunch of fat ikas since the cost difference wasn't so great.

but, when those are gone (and they go fast...only 2-3 fish per bait before they're torn to shreds or thrown during the fight), i will order the * from you because yours is the kind of business i want to support. now, is there a way i can talk you into offering a variety pack of * (e.g., one pack of 10 with one of each color)? i'd buy ten of those!  ;D seriously, that'd be nice introduction to the colors you have since some of them are kind of different than what you normally see.

[SimonSays]

b           ( the answer to the 'fat ika' question is 'NO' ; I can tell you that there is NO WAY , yamamoto pays anymore than .20 per bait ; packaged and all.  SERIOUSLY! )  With the right mold (which gary has) the skirt is poured simultaneously; no attaching needed.  

I love your baits! but I have to respectfully disagree, I've bought about one or two packs where the skirts were not attached straight.  I'll see if I can find them but they did not seem at all like they were poured all at once.

[fretfishman]

yeah, it seems like gary uses a heat knife method for ikas and hula grubs. I've come across too many that showed flaws or weren't on straight to think otherwise. either way, I can't complain about that - they're great baits. the price does suck, but look at the price of senkos...and it's just a straight, fat worm with small ribs. if we buy senkos we can't complain about pricing on Ikas much.  ;D

[Jeff C.]

Let me give my 2cents guys.

---

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Yamamoto fat ikas are not hand poured.

the body & skirt are injected as 2 pc. then

are put together. You guys are rite some of yamis

skirts are not on straight.

---

now for mine..

also, some of the skirts are not straight..

The body is hand poured by me..

skirts are so fine they need to be injected. So thats makes it so I have to buy the skirts. And pay shipping to get um.

and to get a reasonable price.. buy 1000 each color.

now I have apx. $ 1000.00 in skirts.

the cost of the skirt is MORE than the cost of the plastic

to make the body.

Then the skirts are attached to the body at a later time by me with heat.

not many people do them because they are not a very quick pour.

in order to make good money you need to make lots of baits per hour.

It takes a lot of time.. I can do 40-45 baits per. hour.

Sorry.

that you all feel I am charging too much for these.

:-[

If I could buy a 55 gal drum of plastic and have a way to use it after I got it.. and where to put it ?

not sure what the shipping would be?

its close to $ 30.00 to ship a 5 gallon pail..

and buy 10,000 of each skirt

then I could do it cheaper.

but at this time I do not have the space or funds for that.

sorry again guys,

[IDbasser]

Hey Brent, Thanks for all you do for us and your baits.  All this talk about Fat Ikas has got me curious about them.  I think I will be ordering some in my next order.  Right now I am sweet talking the wife so I can order again.

[The_Natural]

Bass_Boys...I was like what is he talking about?  He sells fat ikas, too?  I hadn't heard of your website.  It was kind of frustrating...because I couldn't find a price for your baits on your website.  Then I saw handpouredbaits.com sells them, so I checked them out.  It seems yours are the cheapest I've seen so far.  $4.99 a bag is respectable.  Should I order some from handpoured, or would you make more money if I bought them from you  

[The_Natural]

Bass_Boys...I was like what is he talking about?  He sells fat ikas, too?  I hadn't heard of your website.  It was kind of frustrating...because I couldn't find a price for your baits on your website.  Then I saw handpouredbaits.com sells them, so I checked them out.  It seems yours are the cheapest I've seen so far.  $4.99 a bag is respectable.  Should I order some from handpoured, or would you make more money if I bought them from you  

depends if you want an 8 or 10 pack ; mine are only a few pennies cheaper than hp.com.

b

Dam...I didn't see the 8 per pack part  .  Just trying to get the most for my dollar.

[Jeff C.]

Natural,

no problem,

it was a good question.

I do not have my web complete.

[roadwarrior]

You guys are rite some of yamis

skirts are not on straight.

Hmm...

I have been fishing GYCB products since 1997, including a "few"

bags of Fat Ika. I have never come across a single defective

item. I have always assumed their quality control procedures were

responsible for this, it would be impossible to manufacture any

product 100% flawless.

8-)

[Brian_Reeves]

Calling Roadwarrior R-DUB will crack anyone up.  For some reason, that just seems...out of place lol.

I haven't ordered the CW's from * yet.  Stupid moving has got my wallet screaming for mercy.  I will soon though, once I get on my feet again.

I'm with Brent.  I'd much rather give the smaller guys my money than the titans when I can.  Really, the only exception to this right now is Strike King, where I'll be spending my money on crankbaits, topwaters and Rage Tail stuff.  I'm intending on pouring a few plastics myself to save some money and get some tricked out triple pours that I'm dying to try out.  I'm also going to branch out and start trying to distribute my jigs and spoons sometime next year, once I have the correct equipment to handle that task.