The Fat Ika from Gary Yamamoto is a very effective lure for many bass anglers. Though it’s been used by many of the top tournament anglers for sometime, the Fat Ika is still a bait unknown to many. Because the Fat Ika looks like a tube bait, many anglers start off rigging it as such. However, it is only when rigged backward that the Fat Ika discovers it’s greatest potential - as a penetrating target bait.
When rigged on a Gamakatsu 5/0 EWG hook, the Fat Ika does it’s magic. Rigged without a weight, the bait should be cast out and let to sink on a slack line. The Fat Ika falls away from the angler when rigged as such, so significant slack should be allowed on the sink. The bait falls at an angle because of the salt in the plastic creating weight to the back end of the bait.
Most strikes occur on the initial fall, but if the bait settles to the bottom, twitch the bait upwards with a sharp lift of the rod tip. One or two lifts, then let the bait settle back to the bottom on a controlled slack line. Always watch your line for indications of a strike. As you lift the bait, the skirt flares, and then folds back as the bait falls again to the bottom. A very realistic crawfish action is created by the Fat Ika’s lift and drop. Most often used in shallow areas with targets such as docks, brush, weeds, etc., the Fat Ika can really penetrate deep into such areas with it’s backwards decent. This is a technique where you’ll need to use a medium heavy rod with at least 12 lb test line. Much like the Senko worm, this bait should be fish slow.
Lucky Craft has introduced a new spinnerbait called Redemption designed by Skeet Reese, which helped him win the 2008 Angler of the Year award. The premium-quality Redemption Spinnerbaits with a Colorado and Willow blade combination are extremely well-balanced and feature Lucky Craft's lifelike paint schemes, tungsten components, and thick, durable, pulsating skirts with rattles incorporated into the head of the bait for added noise, vibration and volume. As with all Lucky Craft products, this lure is a little pricier than that of other brands, but when you see the quality and the fish catching effectiveness of this bait, it is well worth the price.
