Gary Yamamoto Fat Ika Vs Damiki Hydra

[sir_fishAlot 1]

Has anyone here used these two lures before? I have only used the Fat Ika and found it to be really good weightless due to it being pretty heavy itself. I've never used the Damiki Hydra and would like to try some out but I would also like to see what other's opinion on these two lures like how they are weighted and how soft they are compared to eachother. I know tge Damiki Hydra has little balls at the end of the tentacles so it might make a difference. Anything helps.... Thanks

[roadwarrior 6,562]

The Fat Ika is a Super Star. I have only fished the Hydra a couple of times,

but have never had a bite.

[sir_fishAlot 1]

Are they similar in weight and how it feels?

[bassh8er 243]

Gotta disagree with RW here, but what would you expect when he's talking about GY baits. I bought the Ikas after hearing about them on this site and they were my favorite bait... Until I found out about the Hydra. Not sure which one came first, but I have great success with the Hydra at a much better price. This is probably like the many Senko discussions on this forum, but I'll never buy another pack if Fat Ikas unless they can beat the Hydra on price.

Both great baits, but the Hydra gets the nod for price. I've found them both to be similar in durability.

[Sam Fisher 8]

Hard to say what the best is IMO. The Hydra's are hard to find local. I tend to get more strikes with them, but with Ika's I get bigger fish and they hold on longer.

[Crestliner2008 1,557]

Gotta disagree with RW here, but what would you expect when he's talking about GY baits. I bought the Ikas after hearing about them on this site and they were my favorite bait... Until I found out about the Hydra. Not sure which one came first, but I have great success with the Hydra at a much better price. This is probably like the many Senko discussions on this forum, but I'll never buy another pack if Fat Ikas unless they can beat the Hydra on price.

Both great baits, but the Hydra gets the nod for price. I've found them both to be similar in durability.

I'm probably the tightest "tight wad" on this site, but I really don't get the "cost" issue when making knock-off comparisons. Most folks spend hundreds of dollars on various combinations of rod, reel & line; then skimp and gripe about the cost of what is actually put in front of the bass! The bass never gets to see your rod & reel after all, right?

The durability factor could be a consideration, but the Yammy baits flat out produce - for me anyway. The Fat Ika was made by altering the Hula Grub mold, which is is a great bait in itself, as well (especially for smallmouiths). The Ika is all I've ever needed for both LM & SM bass. I have had no desire to explore the various knock offs of this basic design. As long as the originals keep producing, I'll keep buying them.

I also use the original Senko exclusively. I have actually tried some of these knock-offs. Have had some successes too. But I just have more confidence in the original is all. my mistake!

edit: picked up a nice, fat 3 1/2 lb. largie, just this morning, on the Ika down at an oxbow lake near me.

[ww2farmer 4,689]

I'm probably the tightest "tight wad" on this site, but I really don't get the "cost" issue when making knock-off comparisons. Most folks spend hundreds of dollars on various combinations of rod, reel & line; then skimp and gripe about the cost of what is actually put in front of the bass! The bass never gets to see your rod & reel after all, right?

The durability factor could be a consideration, but the Yammy baits flat out produce - for me anyway. The Fat Ika was made by altering the Hula Grub mold, which is is a great bait in itself, as well (especially for smallmouiths). The Ika is all I've ever needed for both LM & SM bass. I have had no desire to explore the various knock offs of this basic design. As long as the originals keep producing, I'll keep buying them.

I also use the original Senko exclusively. I have actually tried some of these knock-offs. Have had some successes too. But I just have more confidence in the original is all. my mistake!

edit: picked up a nice, fat 3 1/2 lb. largie, just this morning, on the Ika down at an oxbow lake near me.

Exactly! I don't get the whole " I want a bait that lasts for x-number of fish" mentality. I want baits that catch fish, I don't care if they are $3.99 a pack Zoom trick worms, or $7.99/pack Senkos. If they only last one fish.......so be it. I got more, and they make more every day too. Yeah I get a little miffed when a pike bites off, $15 hard bait or a $7 tungsten sinker, but oh well, I was smiling ear to ear when I caught a 4.5 lb bass on it three casts ago.....money well spent.

[roadwarrior 6,562]

All I want is a bait/lure that catches fish...PERIOD!

[Phish 11]

I'm probably the tightest "tight wad" on this site, but I really don't get the "cost" issue when making knock-off comparisons. Most folks spend hundreds of dollars on various combinations of rod, reel & line; then skimp and gripe about the cost of what is actually put in front of the bass! The bass never gets to see your rod & reel after all, right?

Exactly! I don't get the whole " I want a bait that lasts for x-number of fish" mentality. I want baits that catch fish, I don't care if they are $3.99 a pack Zoom trick worms, or $7.99/pack Senkos. If they only last one fish.......so be it. I got more, and they make more every day too. Yeah I get a little miffed when a pike bites off, $15 hard bait or a $7 tungsten sinker, but oh well, I was smiling ear to ear when I caught a 4.5 lb bass on it three casts ago.....money well spent.

Comparing a disposable bait to a potentially life-long tool like a reel or rod is comical at best, not worth picking that argument apart. But in general, is the really that hard to understand? It's a simple concept. Some people don't believe the one brand is better than another for a particular bait - or at least not enough to warrant a huge disparity in price.

Brand loyalty is a tough shell to crack. For those that aren't loyal to a brand - when all other things are equal, cost becomes the number one deciding factor. How long a bait can last can certainly impact expenses. Some feel all things are equal with these two baits, why not save money. Same with all the Senko vs. other stick bait discussions.

[webertime 799]

Mend-It makes your Ikas last twice as long.

I've found a custom pour guy that will do most any color/flake/skirt you could want for less than what the Hydra goes for (insert stupid happy smile).

I am actually trying to get a Fat Ika printed on the back of my club jersey.

[basscrusher 40]

The little balls on the ends of the tentacles on the Hydra pick up a LOT of grass (at least it did for me in Potomac river hydrilla).