Fat Ika is still one od my favorite baits, but for some reason lately I've been missing a lot of fish on them.  I found some Big Ika's, they look like a cross between a senko and big ika, 4" long.  I used a 3/0 Skip Gap hook.  I threw them around the pads on Friday, and caught over 20 fish on a black big ika.  I'm not giving up on the Fat Ika, but I will always have some big ikas with me as well.

A cross between a senko and an Ika - it's gotta work!  Also rigged it skirt up.

Sometimes it's the subtle changes that can flip 'em like a lightswitch, way to adapt  

From where did you order these "Big Ikas"???

The only place I could find them was the Yamamoto site.

Rt:  Been using the Big Ikas for years and truly prefer them over the 'Fatties'.  The Fat Ika has too much 'real estate' diameter-wise(and is too short) to rig easily and to get a sure hookset IMO.  I know RW and others use them effectively but the Big Ika is a superior bait IMO .

Dan

Do you like to rig the big ika forwards, or backwards like the fatty?

I haven't tried forward yet, only skirt up.  Since it worked so well, I didn't bother to try it the other way.

I have had some occasional hookup problems w/ the fat ika myself.  I think due to the large diameter making it slightly more difficult for me to set the hook.  The Big ika sounds like it may solve that problem.  I will have to try them out.  Regardless of the hookup problems though the fat ika is my longest distance most accurate soft plastic to throw, its almost like using a casting plug.  Is the big ika as floppy and as easy to tear up as a senko?

how much did they cost

I believe they cost about $6.50 per bag/10 Ikas.

Has anyone tried the little cousin, Ika? Deadly!  8-)

When rigged skirt up do the big ikas slide back into the water like the fat ika?

I have had some occasional hookup problems w/ the fat ika myself. I think due to the large diameter making it slightly more difficult for me to set the hook. The Big ika sounds like it may solve that problem.

Hmmm, this sounds interesting! I did have my share of hooking problems with Fat Ika, only the other way around! The fat ika has by far the biggest problem of deep hookings than any other lure I have ever used. Although it has been quite succesful for me, I tend to avoid using them. For some reason, bass tend to inhale them immediately and the hook ends up well deep in the throat, resulting in excessively bleeding fish with low chances of survival. I guess it might be a regional thing.

I will see if I can get the big ikas and try those out, maybe the problem will not be as bad....

The big ika is very soft like the senko, but it is a little bigger around than a senko.  They still tear, but maybe just a bit more durable than a senko.  I seem to get a better hook up ratio as compared to using the Fat Ika.  I also seem to get more lip hooks than gut hooks using this bait.  The fall seems to be very similar to the Fat Ika as well.  They aren't as heavy as the Fat Ika, but you can still cast them quite far.

If you were having hook up problems with the fat ika couldn't you just move to a larger hook size--say 5/0???

This thread is really about fishing the Big Ika.

Before making too many adjustments to your Fat Ika presentation, you might want to just give it a little more time. This is my third year fishing this bait which I rig skirt up with either X-Point or Gamakatsu 4/0 EWG Offsert Worm Hooks, weightless and weedless (skin hooked). My hook-up ratio is very high and once hooked up, my landing ratio is even higher.

Equipment is important with all soft plastics (and jigs). Your rod should have Fast or Extra Fast Action with a firm tip.

I use both, the Fat and Big, I prefer the big for heavier cover with a nail weight. I   move from Gammies to Owner hooks which are heavier, G'N 4/0 for Fat and 5/0 in the Big.

The regular size Ika works great for me as a finesse lure in clear waters with spinning tackle and in bedding fish.

If you were having hook up problems with the fat ika couldn't you just move to a larger hook size--say 5/0???

They are almost too short for most 4/0s, though the Owner hook RW uses helps.  I use a 4/0 Sugoi(GY) for my Big Ikas, 5" Senkos, and Swimming Senkos.

Dan