How do I fish Fat Ika

[snapshotmd]

I've had a bag of Fat Ikas in my bag and I'm wondering how others are rigging this lure? 

Any ideas appreciated.

[D4u2s0t]

rig it backwards with an ewg hook and call it a day.  Can fish it weighted, or weightless.  Weightless is best imo.

[KYntucky Warmouth]

ROADWARRIOR....WHERE YOU BE?

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

http://www.bassresource.com/bass_fishing_forums/YaBB.pl?num=1187047441

[roadwarrior]

I guess I overlooked this one:

Re: fat ika

Reply #3 - Aug 13th 2007

The Fat Ika is my #1 bait.

My hook-up ratio is something north of 95%. Once hooked-up my landing ratio is SIGNIFICANTLY better. The bait, as Raul noted, should be Texposed and skin-hooked. Due to the taste and texture, bass tend to hold this lure longer than most...in some cases indefinitely. The Senko is a very easy bait to fish, but the Fat Ika is even easier. Be patient and fish it slow, like you might imagine the movement of a crawdad.

Rigging:

4/0 EWG Gamakatsu Offset Worm Hook. Tentacles forward (skirt up). Weightless & weedless.

I fish the bait on MF spining tackle and Yo-Zuri Hybrid Ultra Soft #6 (.010" diameter, 11.9 lb test).

Presentation:

Cast parallel to the bank, along weed lines or on structure in water <12'.  Allow the bait to settle to the bottom and sit for at least 30 seconds. With a slow, horizontal sweep, move the bait 6"-12" and let it fall on slack line. Leave the Fat Ika on the bottom for at least 10 seconds between movements and continue this retrieve until you feel you are "out of the zone." Bass will sometimes strike on the fall or occasionally pick it up while it rests motionless on the bottom, but generally the strike occurs when you move the bait.

When you feel a strike, dip the tip of your rod while QUICKLY reeling in slack. When you feel the fish snap your wrists, setting the hook with your rod tip and not moving the position of your reel relative to your body. This is called a snap-set or quick-set. Maintain pressure, keep your rod tip high and reel when you can, but let the fish run when it wants to. I think your landing ratio will improve with a little patience.

Good luck!

8-)

[Bantam1]

One of my favorite plastic baits to use. It's very versatile and can be fished from 0-50+ feet. Rig it backwards for sure with some sort of wide gap hook. I prefer the Owner Wide Gap Plus in 5/0 fished on 10-12 pound Seaguar. I use the Cumara CUC72MH rod to fish it.

Another good rod is the GLoomis MBR843C GLX. This was my favorite until I built the Cumara that I use now.

[Josh Bassman]

One of my favorite plastic baits to use. It's very versatile and can be fished from 0-50+ feet. Rig it backwards for sure with some sort of wide gap hook. I prefer the Owner Wide Gap Plus in 5/0 fished on 10-12 pound Seaguar. I use the Cumara CUC72MH rod to fish it.

Another good rod is the GLoomis MBR843C GLX. This was my favorite until I built the Cumara that I use now.

Do you use a 4" fat ika with a 5/0 hook? What is the bite like? Would you fish it at night?

I do good using small senkos at night, and I'm thinking the Fat Ika might work as well. I'm going out Monday night and I'm thinking about giving it a try.

[roadwarrior]

Anytime, anywhere you think a Senko would

be a good choice, the Fat Ika is an option.

Although I realize there are many ways to skin

a cat, I never fish either lure weighted.

8-)

[K_Mac]

Like most plastics they can be used in a variety of ways. I have always used them like roadwarrior suggested. I introduced them to a friend who now uses them on a football or stand up jig most of the time. He has had good success this fall in deeper water, esp with bigger fish.

I've never used them at night, but because of the bulk I would think it would work just fine. Good luck.

[Hammer 4]

I fish them weightless for the most part..t rig em upside down..cast, let it sit for 30 secs..give a twitch, and repeat. I also will jig it, i.e. lift it off the bottom about 6" and let it fall, be alert, fish will tend to hit them on the fall..