Fat Ika

[NJBassDevil3254]

I got a couple of these baits from my buddy and I dont know much about them. All I know is that it placed him 5th outta 20 boats in a tourny. He caught 2 keeper largemouths on it in the last couple minutes of fishing time. The color I have is Orange/Green Flake. How do you rig them and in what different situations will you use them in? I may pick up a couple more packs because I really like the look of the bait.

Thanks,

Clay

[Lard_Bass]

check this one out (it was just a couple of threads down).  Also, if you search Fat Ika either on these forums or on google, you will get some very good tips too.

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1170897455

[roadwarrior]

There are some links referenced in the second thread, read them all:

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1141053342/0#0

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1167774211/10#10

[Shadcranker]

I've never fished it before. I've read the threads and can't really find what I'm looking for, so here I go:

1. Do most people fish it weightless, and deadstick like a senko or TX rig it? Is it heavy enough to sink on its' own?

2. Is it more of a flipplin bait like a flippin tube or creature, or is it an open water finesse bait?

I tend to fish too fast to slow down and work a senko properly (unless I know I'm around a bunch of fish). I usually cover water with a C Rig, tube,  or grub, and then when I find a group of fish, I'll slow down and milk the area with the senko. Is this the same type of deal, or can you get good enough action out of it by fishing it TX rigged?

Thanks

[JT Bagwell]

I fish the Ika weightless like a Senko most of the time.

You can also fish it Texas rigged effectively too.

It also works on a Carolina Rig or a Drop Shot rig. Overall,

it is a very versatile bait.

JT Bagwell

[roadwarrior]

Shadcranker,

This is NOT the bait for you.

The Fat Ika is fished weightless, EXACTLY as a Senko is designed to be fished. What is different about this bait is the profile, how the bait falls, the action of the tentacles and the feel of the bait to the fish when it is picked up.

If you had actually read the articles referenced you would know that this is a bait that works best when fished slow. A typical cast and retrieve will usually take three to five minutes.

[Shadcranker]

Thanks- that's what I was afraid of. I just can't sit still that long.

I may get some to have when I know there are fish there, but I fish a lot of long flats and have to cover water most of the time.

[roadwarrior]

I'm not poking fun at anyone PERSONALLY, but I just have to smile when I watch all the tournament guys running back and forth, up and down the river at 70 mph. I guess they're moving about looking for the fish...while I just sit there catching 'em!

The Fat Ika has been my most productive lure for the past two years, especially for big bass.

[Shadcranker]

Main issue with me is that most of the lakes I fish in Middle TN are void of cover. We're just fishing rocky points, flats, etc, and we have to move around a lot on the TM to find them.

Once I find them, I won't leave em.

Kills me too, when I fish with someone, they stick a fish and crank up the big motor.

[T-rig]

For the guys that like the ika you'll love this bait: Imakatsu Dyna Gone. It has samilir shape but has claws. I rig it backwards und use a nail sinker in the tail. This way you can get bait under docks etc.

[roadwarrior]

Shadcranker

Favorite lakes: Guntersville, Barkley, Kentucky Lake, Percy Priest  

The Fat Ika will work just fine in these lakes, but you will have to fish them slow.

[Siebert Outdoors]

anyone every try to wacky rig one?  never heard this one mentioned.

[fishbear]

I'm not poking fun at anyone PERSONALLY, but I just have to smile when I watch all the tournament guys running back and forth, up and down the river at 70 mph. I guess they're moving about looking for the fish...while I just sit there catching 'em!

The Fat Ika has been my most productive lure for the past two years, especially for big bass.

RW, I feel the same way about the runner and gunners... everyone has thier own style, but it doesnt make sense to me to not take my time.... to me it is like still hunting thru the timber... 2 or 3 steps forward then stop for 5 min. and watch... 2 or 3 steps forward... etc.... that is how you find the big boys...  

The muley buck hanging on my wall was bedded down watching me, , If I had not been hunting that slow I would have walked right past the biggest rack of my hunting career... he is 33 in. between the horns.

[BassFishingMachine]

Are there any top colors for the Fat Ika? Im guessing Greenpumpkin w/black fleck? What are the top 3 colors your most successful with using the Ika?

[Brad_Coovert]

My best colors are the darker colors, green pumpkin, black, etc.

I also like the chartreuse/chartreuse flake and baitfish colored ones.  I fish these quickly like underwater spooks.  With some practice you can get them to walk th dog nicely under water.  I have done well doing this fishing the White River in Muncie for smallies during lunch or after work.  I've had some viscious strikes.

Brad

[Bud]

Shadcranker   Fat Ika work on Ky and Barkley.  I use the Greenpumpkin w/black fleck or motor oil.

[Shadcranker]

Bud:

How are you fishing it on KY- Barkl? I mainly fish KY in late spring and early Summer when water is up in bushes (flipping), and I usually ledge fish Bakley in Summer (deep structure fishing with CB, CR, Big Wm).

I usually fish Priest and G'ville in spring.

I want to try the Yellow flower deal in Spring on Barkley, but I'm usually not over there until Summer. I imagine it would be good there around the spawn.