One of the most common questions we get is a simple one: "Do I need the spike, or the whole kit?" The honest answer is that it depends on what you're targeting and how you like to fish — but there are some sensible guidelines that make the decision easy.
Start with what you're actually catching
The Original IkiPik spike is a genuinely versatile tool — it's the foundation of iki jime regardless of species, and for a lot of anglers, it's all they'll ever need. Where the six-piece Iki Jime / Shinkei Jime Kit earns its keep is with the extra steps — bleeding and shinkei jime — which make the biggest difference on larger fish, or on anything you're planning to hold onto for a few days before it hits the plate.
Smaller table fish (whiting, bream, small snapper, flathead)
For a feed of smaller fish you're planning to eat the same day or the next, the Original IkiPik on its own does the job well. A quick, confident dispatch is the main quality win here — smaller fish don't always need the full bleeding and shinkei jime process to notice a real improvement in the esky, though there's nothing stopping you from doing the full process if you've got the time and the kit on hand.
The compact size and lanyard make it easy to keep clipped on or within reach without getting in the way of the rest of your gear — and yes, the built-in bottle opener means you're covered for the trip home either way.
Mid-size and prized table fish (larger snapper, mulloway, kingfish, larger flathead)
This is where the full kit starts to earn its place in your tackle bag. On fish you're proud of and want to make the most of, bleeding and shinkei jime noticeably extend how well the flesh holds up — particularly if there's any delay between catching and cooking. The T-piece coring tool and spinal-wire gauges are sized to handle the anatomy of these mid-size species without excessive force, and the tuna blood knife makes quick work of bleeding out efficiently.
Big pelagics (tuna, larger kingfish, mackerel)
For anything in this bracket, the complete six-piece kit is worth having on board every time. These are exactly the species where the difference between a fish that's just been iki jime'd and one that's been properly dispatched, bled and wired is most obvious on the plate — bigger fish have more muscle mass, which means more potential for lactic acid build-up and flesh degradation if the process stops at the first step. The tuna blood knife in particular is sized for exactly this job.
Fishing from a boat vs. fishing from the shore or a kayak
Space and setup matter here as much as species. If you're fishing from a small boat, kayak or the shore with limited gear on hand, the Original IkiPik alone is easy to carry, quick to access, and covers the essential dispatch step without needing to lay out a full kit. If you've got the space — a proper boat deck, an esky and a bit of bench room — the full kit lets you complete the whole process properly before the fish goes on ice.
A simple way to decide
If you're mostly chasing a feed of smaller table fish and want something compact and easy to carry: the Original IkiPik.
If you regularly land mid-size to large fish, want the full eating-quality benefit, or simply want to do the job properly every time: the Iki Jime / Shinkei Jime Kit.
Plenty of anglers end up with both — the spike for quick trips and smaller fish, the full kit for when a proper haul is on the cards.
Whatever you're targeting
Regardless of species, the same basics apply: know roughly where you're aiming (see our guide on locating the fish's brain), commit to a firm and confident motion, and follow up with bleeding and chilling as soon as you can. The right tool makes that process easier — it doesn't replace the technique.
Browse the full IkiPik range and find the right setup for how you fish.