Seen those commercials where Mike Iaconelli’s disembodied head pops out of a tackle bag? It’s a funny bit, but don’t miss the message in the mirth – Ike Approved VMC jigs and hooks should be in your bag every time you launch your boat. No matter how deep or shallow you plan to fish.
“I’m fishing deep today,” says a hapless angler in the most recent “Fish With Ike’s Head” commercial, explaining why he hadn’t packed any VMC jigs and hooks. “Are you kidding me?” Ike replies. “These are perfect conditions for pulling big bass out of heavy cover!”
In a career that includes a Bassmaster Classic championship and a Bassmaster Angler of the Year title, Ike knows well how to catch fish both deep and shallow with the VMC hooks and jigs that carry his “Ike Approved” stamp of approval.
“If you’re sick of missing bites with your plastics, you’re going to put more of those bites in the boat with VMC hooks and jigs,” he says. “When it comes to fish hook innovation and design, VMC is, without question, the pioneer.”
VMC launched the “Ike Approved” product line after Iaconelli helped tweak several hook and jig designs, integrating tricks of a veteran tournament pro. VMC is one of many respected names in the Rapala family of brands.
Wacky Weedless Jig
VMC’s Wacky Weedless Jig, as Iaconelli notes in the most recent “Fish With Ike’s Head” commercial, features an offset hook and a stainless steel weedguard. “Flip it in there, and its wacky action will have you pulling out one fat bass after another!” Ike says.
The stainless steel weedguard allows anglers to present their favorite wacky worm in the most natural way and hold it in place when running the heaviest of cover. A unique, resin-closed line-tie eye guarantees that even the thinnest, lightest braided line will not slip through it.
Wacky Weedless Jigs are available in black and green pumpkin, in four sizes: 1/16, 1/8, 3/16 and 1/4 oz.
Watch the most recent “Fish With Ike’s Head” commercial here.
Rugby Jig
When Ike will be fishing around multiple types of cover – gravel, sand, boulders, rocks, docks, reeds, wood – he ties on a VMC Rugby Jig. A cross between a traditional round-ball head jig and a football head jig, it’s “the most versatile jig out there,” he says. “And if you look at it, it does look like a rugby ball.”
An extra-wide-gap hook with an offset just below the jig head secures Texas-rigged soft plastics on the Rugby Jig, creating a lifelike presentation even at rest. “If you like to fish a jig head, if you like to shakey-head fish, if you like to fish any type of plastic, and finesse fish, try the new Rugby Jig,” Ike says.
Among the Rugby Jig’s best features, Ike says, is a recessed line tie, which helps it come through cover much better than other jigs. “A major problem with normal jig heads is you’ve got a line tie that sticks out and catches weeds, and your knot’s not protected,” he explains.
Rugby Jigs are available in black and green-pumpkin, in eight sizes: 1/16, 1/8, 3/16, 1/4, 5/16, 3/8, 1/2 and 3/4 ounce.
Watch Ike discuss more features of VMC’s Rugby Jig in this video.
Worm Hook & Heavy Duty Worm Hook
Although some anglers might downplay the details that differentiate one hook from another, Ike suggests taking a closer look at VMC’s Worm Hook and Heavy Duty Worm Hook.
“How many times have you felt a fish take your plastic, you set the hook, you swing and you miss?” Ike asks. “We’ve come up with a little modification that’s going to change that. You get ‘em almost every time right in the top of the mouth, and that’s where you want them.”
The secret? The Worm Hook’s point and eye are offset by 3 degrees, as are the hooks of other select Ike Approved hooks. “That little tweak is going to put a lot more fish in the boat,” Ike says.
Watch Ike discuss more features of VMC’s Worm Hook and Heavy Duty Worm Hook in this video.
Flipping Hook & Heavy Duty Flipping Hook
Strong enough for braided or heavy monofilament lines in thick cover, Ike Approved Heavy Duty Flippin’ Hooks come pre-rigged with a unique, dual-barbed bait-keeper that securely holds baits in place.
And both the Heavy Duty Flippin’ Hook and the lighter-wire Flippin’ Hook feature a 1/8-inch gap above the bait-keeper to allow room for a snell knot. However, you can tie them to your line with a Palomar or other knot as well.
Watch Ike discuss more features of the Flippin’ Hook and Heavy Duty Flippin’ Hook in this video.
Rest of the Best In addition to the hooks and jigs mentioned above, VMC’s Ike Approved series includes these great hooks as well: Wacky Hook and Wacky Weedless Hook; Wide Gap Hook and Heavy Duty Wide Gap Hook; SpinShot Wide Gap Hook; Heavy Duty Swimbait Hook and Heavy Duty Weighted Swimbait Hook.