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Story by Russ Bassdozer

The 5" Big Ika (series 92B) doesn't get the credit it deserves. Then again, who does?

The Big Ika falls in the shadow of the more popular 4" Fat Ika (series 92F).

That doesn't alter the fact that the Big Ika is a unique soft bait (there's nothing else quite like the Big Ika) and it is the ultimate "big finesse" fishing bait.

Fat Ika (top) on 5/0 Owner Twistlock XXX. Big Ika (below) on 4/0 Owner Twistlock XXX.

An understanding of the Big Ika - and learning how best to deploy it - is not possible without comparing the differences in usage between it and the Fat Ika.

Big Differences

The difference between how I use the Big and Fat Ika is that I tend to flip and pitch the Fat Ika into dense cover with a little heavier line and rod, particularly baitcasting tackle.

On the other hand, I tend to use the Big Ika around the open edges of the same cover. Fishing the edges of cover means I can use a little lighter tackle, including medium/heavy spinning gear with the Big Ika.

So if I am fishing down a shoreline that has a patch of thick cover followed by a stretch of bare bank followed by another patch of thick cover and another stretch of bank (a very common occurrence), then I am going to pick up the spinning or lighter rod first with the Big Ika in order to fish the outside perimeter of the cover first. Next, I'll go with the heavier rod to flip the heart of the thick stuff with the Fat Ika. As I reach the end of the cover and segue into the bare bank, I will again pick up the Big Ika stick to fish the open corners of the cover (a high percentage strike zone) first. Next, I'll penetrate the corner deeply with the Fat Ika before turning back to the Big Ika to fish down the stretch of bare bank until I reach the next patch of thick cover. I will orchestrate that dual bait approach all the way down the entire shoreline, alternating between the Big Ika on relatively lighter tackle for relatively open areas and the Fat Ika on heavier tackle for probing the thick stuff.

Weightless

For fishing the Big Ika without a lot of flourish or fanfare, like you would fish a Yamamoto Senko by letting a weightless Big Ika fall painstakingly slowly and deadsticking it on the bottom, you can use a variety of different hook models in the 3/0 to 4/0 range. A lighter, smaller 5/0 may suffice too. Keep in mind, no two hook models, even from the same vendor, are the same size. Some 5/0's are smaller than other 4/0's. No two hook models are sized quite the same. It means you really must match hooks to baits "by eye" not by the size stated on the package. Especially with weightless tactics, the hook you use may make or break your presentation. So don't take hook sizes for granted. Identify the specific sizes and models that bring out the best action in each of your soft baits. Different sizes and models of hooks will work better (or worse) with different models and sizes of soft baits in terms of the alluring action that different hooks will or won't activate in the baits.

The Big Jerk

The Big Ika makes a most excellent soft jerkbait. The caveat here is that the hook you choose must be heavy enough to help balance the weightless Big Ika properly when one's used as a jerkbait. A 4/0 Owner Twistlock XXX provides the perfect balance for the ultimate soft jerkbait action with the Big Ika. If you use a smaller or lighter hook model, you aren't going to get the amazing quality of jerkbait performance that's possible with the weightless Big Ika if you use the wrong hook for this tactic. So make sure to identify a good hook (like the Owner Twistlock XXX 4/0) and stick to it for the best soft jerkbait success with the Big Ika.

Weighted 5/0 Owner Twistlock Light (top) and 1/4 Yamamoto ball head with Owner hook (below).

Go Big on a Weighted Hook

A weighted hook not only adds weight (obviously) that aids casting and increases running depth. A weighted hook also adds an element of action because of the weighted keel rocking back and forth beneath the bait as it sinks. The keel weight rocks the sinking bait like a baby's cradle.

Go Big on a Jig

To get even deeper, another way I tend to use the Big Ika is on a jig head. A ball jig with an exposed hook is so simple and so deadly with the Big Ika, and this is the perfect spinning rod application. I tend not to use the Fat Ika on a jig head. On the other hand, the Big Ika absolutely excels on a jig head.

Big Carolina Rig

On a Carolina rig is yet another way I've had stupendous success with the Big Ika. Since the Big Ika is so surefire on a C-Rig, I rarely use the Fat Ika this way. The Big Ika is an ideal "do nothing" bait when Carolina-rigged, meaning it doesn't have an overly wiggly action tail nor flappy parts or wavy arms. The Big Ika is so subtle yet seductive on a C-Rig. Especially when fish stay deeper in frigid winter and tawdry summer dog days, the Big Ika rules with a heavy Carolina Rig weighted to reach deep water with heavy baitcasting tackle. Yet even in spring and fall, you can never go wrong with a lightly weighted Carolina Rig fished shallow with relatively lighter tackle including spinning gear.

I hope I have demonstrated to you that the Big Ika and Fat Ika are two different baits, both great ones, that are at their respective best when fished differently from each other. At the same time, they go great when used in tandem together with the Fat Ika on heavier tackle for penetrating thicker cover and the Big Ika right beside it on lighter tackle for prospecting relatively open areas.

Big Backward Nail Rig

Still need more convincing that the Big Ika is a big deal? Then consider this - a slim and nimble Nail Rig with the Big Ika may slip its svelte body into even the smallest opening between two stalks of tall grass in thick cover. A Nail Rig is really only possible to deploy with the Big Ika. The Fat Ika is, for all practical purposes, too stubby to Nail Rig. On the other hand, the Big Ika's ample length makes it a natural to nail rig backward. With a nail weight in the nose and the hook in the tail, a backward Big Ika is heavy enough to work its way down (assist it with a little wiggle or jiggle) through the thickest grass, moss, brush or logjam.

If there is intermittent or sparse cover, a medium/heavy spinning rod is perfect with the Nail Rig. Simply pitch it as close as possible to and let it slip down into any sparse cover. This is "finesse flipping" at its finest with the Big Ika.

Backward Big Ika with 4/0 Owner Twistlock XXX and 1/16 oz nail weight in nose.

If the cover is thick, use a flipping strength hook and baitcasting tackle. Other flipping baits, with a jig or sinker, will get buried in the bottom clutter and disappear. But the backward Big Ika's nail-weighted, long body tends to stick its neck out above bottom debris or weeds, fluttering its squid-like tail at a level a little above where bass are used to seeing a flipped bait. That's what we call fishin' efficiency; less time with the bait hidden in the gunk and more time attracting attention in the strike zone.

It seems the Big Ika's been slighted by the limelight bestowed on the Fat Ika. I hope this story has opened your eyes to seeing the Big Ika with renewed esteem.

Lo and behold, there still are some secrets, and the Big Ika is one of them!