Fishing lake in NE New Mexico and up till now have been using curly tail jigs and occasional crankbaits.

The state record smallie came out of this lake last year.

I want to start focusing more on the smallies and my 9 year old son (this is his first year fishing is definetly hooked on bass)

A freind of mine in San Diego told me that he has good success with Ikas this spring so i bought some.  My son rigged one on a lead head jig and has caught some fish.  Someone told me they are to be rigged backwards (skirt up front) we have rigged them like a curly tail jig.

What is the proper way to rig and fish them also what is the best way to fish tubes.

I used to fish tubes for trout but not sure that it is the same.  With trout it would be on 4lb test and slow retrieve with some twitches.

thanks in advance.

There are several ways to rig both. I have fished both ikas and tubes and have never rigged them backwards. The most popular would be on a jighead, texas rig or with them tube an inserted weighted hook. Hope this helps

Thanks DG. Need to give it an honest try next time we go out.

A tube can be rigged with an inserted jig head or T-rigged, depending on the cover or structure you are fishing.  The Fat Ika can be fished with the skirt towards the back, but the bait has a more unique action with the skirt up. The Fat Ika should be fished weightless on a 4/0 EWG Offset Worm Hook.