Just ordered me some of these and going to use them once I get them. Just a few questions about fishing them.

I'll be using a 7' Berkely Cherrywood Medium Casting Rod, Abu Garcia 4600 C3 Reel with Trilene 14lb tmonofilament line on a 4/0 Gamakatsu EWG Offset Worm Hook. This ok?

My first question is, when is the best time to fish this bait?

My second question is, where is the best place to fish it?

Does it work good on deep riverbanks with a ton of cover and structure? We have a deep river but in places there are 10-15ft humps in the middle of the river, is this an ideal place for the Fat Ika?

I saw RW post don't fish this over 12ft., is there a reason for this or is it better in shallow water?

It's better in shallow water because it is best fished weightless...so the lure relies only on its weight to sink. It is the slow sinking action of this bait that gets the fish to bite.

Your setup sounds fine, but I prefer to fish this on spinning tackle. Just make sure the bait sinks to the desired depth and fish it slow. The bites can be very subtle at times!

It actually sinks pretty fast compared to a senko.  I think 12 ft is fine with this bait really but I am not the expert......I only hooked up once and just began to try it out.

I caught 8 LMB last night with a green pumpkin fat ika.  I got one 4.2 and 3.4 and the rest were in the 2 lb range.

I use a 4/0 EWG Gammy with 6lb yozuri ultra soft as suggested by RW.  I only use spinning gear with it though, because you can skip those baits very easily under docks, limbs etc.  I would have no chance trying to skip it with my baitcaster (still new to baitcasters with too many po's.

I got most of my fish in the grass and laydowns last night (very shallow water).  The water temp was 69 and it is post spawn here.  I have only gotten a few in deeper water, so I usually stay shallow with it.  It really is a great bait - don't forget to rig it skirt end up!  Caught em between 6:00 p.m. and 8:30 P.M.  I always have one tied on.  Good Luck!

I caught 8 LMB last night with a green pumpkin fat ika. I got one 4.2 and 3.4 and the rest were in the 2 lb range.

I use a 4/0 EWG Gammy with 6lb yozuri ultra soft as suggested by RW. I only use spinning gear with it though, because you can skip those baits very easily under docks, limbs etc. I would have no chance trying to skip it with my baitcaster (still new to baitcasters with too many po's.

I got most of my fish in the grass and laydowns last night (very shallow water). The water temp was 69 and it is post spawn here. I have only gotten a few in deeper water, so I usually stay shallow with it. It really is a great bait - don't forget to rig it skirt end up! Caught em between 6:00 p.m. and 8:30 P.M. I always have one tied on. Good Luck!

WOW!

That's what I'm talkin' 'bout!

8-)

I fish the Fat Ika weightless most of the time, but I've also tried T-rigging it with a weight and fishing it like a tube.  I haven't done this more than a couple of times but I did catch fish.  Has anyone tried this bait this way and what do you think about it?

How is this "Fat Ika" pronounced, I have heard many things.

Isn't it Fat "ee-k-ah" ?

I have heard Fat "ahy-k-ah".

I have been fishing mine with a baitcaster.  I throw it along the bank and drag it with long slow sweeps.  I also like to pitch it around laydowns.  It is a heavy bait ( for plastic ) and work great in tight spots.

Is there a differance between the Fat Ika and a Kinami palm tree?

paragon

Ika = Palm Tree.  They might offer them in a few different colors....