What is the Sumorubber? - Japanese-Born Special Small Rubber Jig-
- 1. What is Sumorubber?
- 2. The advantage of Sumorubber
- 3. Where to use Sumorubber
- 4. Summary
1. What is Sumorubber?
Sumorubber is an abbreviation for "small rubber jig", conceived by Haruhiko Murakami. Mr. Murakami is also known as an inventor in bass fishing, having developed now-standard rigs like the drop-shot-rig and the Neko-rig.
While there is no precise size definition for Sumorubber, it generally refers to small rubber jigs weighing around 1/6oz (5g) or less. Some can even be as light as 1/28oz (1g).
The key characteristic of Sumorubber is the jighead hook with rubber strands that maintain their flared shape and continue to produce subtle vibrations, exuding a strong sense of liveliness compared to full-size rubber jigs. This unpredictable, odd movement of the rubber is what attracts bass. The hook also has a few wire strands as a guard, and the presence or number of these wires affects how easily the jig gets snagged. It's common to use Sumorubber in combination with a trailer.
Although Sumorubber became popular in Japan around 2007, its origins go back a bit further. In the 1990s, when Mr. Murakami was interviewed for a magazine, he quickly came up with Sumorubber and the drop-shot-rig as alternatives to conceal the Neko-rig, which he was using as a secret rig at the time. In fact, the Hanhan jig, a pioneering Sumorubber made by Mr. Murakami, was launched well before the term "Sumorubber" became known to the world.
As for where to use Sumorubber, while we'll discuss it in more detail in later paragraphs, it can basically be used anywhere. It's capable of cover shots, falling, and horizontal movements, and it also slips through well, giving the impression of a bait that will have many opportunities to shine. Sumorubber is often used for the danglin' technique, and recently, Sumorubber specialized for danglin' have been introduced, so it's a good idea to distinguish them from regular Sumorubber when using them.
2. The advantage of Sumorubber
Small size
Being small, it's less likely to make bass suspicious or dismiss it as a fake. It allows for a finesse approach even when bass are reluctant to bite, making it a reliable option during tough conditions like midwinter.
Another reason why anglers can't let go of Sumorubber is its wide range of movements, such as swimming with horizontal action or one-point shakes for spot fishing.
Mimics baitfish, crustaceans, and insects
A defining feature of Sumorubber is its ability to mimic various types of bait depending on the trailer. Choose a trailer that matches the bait in the fishing field. The rubber strands move irregularly in the current, giving it a captivating, lifelike appearance. By attaching a baitfish-type soft-plastic and swimming it in the middle layer like a Mid-strolling, it can resemble a small fish drifting lightly. When crawled along the bottom, it can look like a goby.
And depending on the trailer, Sumorubber can imitate not only baitfish but also crustaceans and insects. Even without any action, the twitching of the rubber strands in the current makes it look like an insect struggling and moving its legs, effectively serving as a luring action just by being in the water.
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- Baitfish type
- Crustacean type
Easy to detect bottom
Since the weight is in the head part, the rugged sensation is transmitted to the angler's hands, making it easy to understand the state of the bottom as if holding it, which is a feature of Sumorubber for searching hard bottoms where bass are likely to reside. Depending on the weight, it can reach depths of about 16-33ft (5-10m), so for bank fishing, it's generally possible to reach the bottom regardless of the range.
The key to using Sumorubber is to change the weight according to the range of use. For example, if using it mostly in about 10ft (3m) of water, it's good to have several 1/28-1/14oz (1-2g) jigs. This allows selecting the best one for the situation, such as using a heavier one for firmly reaching the bottom or a lighter one for going from shallow areas near the shore to deeper waters. Adjusting the weight based on the rod and line used, or increasing the weight when the wind gets stronger, is one of the tricks to mastering Sumorubber.
3. Where to use Sumorubber
Due to its small size and lifelike movement, Sumorubber can approach bass without causing suspicion, making it effective in tough situations. Basically, it's a jig that attracts attention by shaking the body to vibrate the rubber. Since it's a small bait to begin with, bass won't notice if you only twitch it with your fingertips, so it's important to shake it firmly to create waves that make the entire rubber portion sway.
For bass in cover
A standard Sumorubber technique is danglin'. It's used for bass waiting for falling insects in dense cover during early spring when the water temperature has just risen or in the heat of summer. It's ideal if you can drop it right in front of bass hiding in dense cover like laydowns or bushes. With power finesse, you can cast deep into cover without worrying about backlash, and the strength of braided line reduces the concern of line abrasion and breakage when danglin'. Start by danglin' in shallower areas and add shakes, and if there's no response, gradually go deeper like an elevator. When danglin', hook it on a thin branch so the line will come off the branch when you get a bite.
IMAKATSU's MC Hanger Jig is designed for use in heavy cover, so despite being a Sumorubber, it has the durability of a full-size jig. Even when using a non-stretchy braided line to catch big bass, the hook won't bend. When dangled, the soft-plastic maintains a horizontal posture, allowing for a natural presentation.
For bass with eyes on the middle to upper layers
Sumorubber can also be used like a Mid-strolling, essentially a Mid-strolling with rubber. It's a horizontal movement where you slowly rolling it through the middle layer. The rubber acts as resistance, allowing you to further limit the travel distance and keep it in the bass' field of vision for as long as possible. This enables a more delicate approach to selectively feeding bass. Letting the soft-plastic flutter and rolling enhances its effectiveness compared to a regular Mid-strolling, with the rubber increasing its drawing power, making it a strong choice in slightly murky water or when bass are scattered.
For bottom-hugging bass
In summer or the dead of winter, bass seeking stable water temperatures may drop to deep areas. For such deep-lying, bottom-hugging bass, try approaching them with a bottom drag. After letting it fall and hit the bottom, drag it as is, occasionally stopping the retrieve to add pauses or shakes, creating opportunities for bites. It can effectively mimic crawling shrimp or small fish like gobies on the bottom.
Even just falling can sufficiently trigger bites. After dropping it to the bottom, reel it up a bit, let it float up, then let it fall again. The rubber swaying in the current piques the bass' interest, and compared to a jighead of the same weight without rubber, the resistance of the rubber allows for a slower fall.
IMAKATSU's NEW ABERUBBER is recommended for bottom use. The semi-football-shaped jighead maintains a swimming posture even when contacting obstacles, excelling at bottom dragging.
4. Summary
Despite its small size, the Sumorubber's constantly flared rubber moving oddly and twitchily becomes an irresistible presence for bass. Not only can it finesse fish when bass are reluctant to bite, but its versatility allows it to be used anywhere from the bottom to the middle layer, on the surface, or deep in cover.
By varying the weight and trailer soft-plastic according to the situation, you can firmly reach the bottom at that spot, improve control precision, or mimic bait such as baitfish, crustaceans, or insects.
With many scenarios for use throughout the year, Sumorubber can be a secret weapon in tough times, so it's definitely worth keeping in your tackle box.