JDM Lure Technique from Japan #17: Dumbbell Crab Elastomer Jig Head Wacky with Masahiko Kouno

This time, we would like to introduce a technique from Masahiko Kouno, an IMAKATSU-supported JB TOP50 tournament pro.

Masahiko Kouno has already won a JB TOP50 tournament and is known for sight fishing, big bait fishing, and technical approaches for pressured big bass.

The lure featured this time is the IMAKATSU Dumbbell Crab Elastomer.

According to Kouno, this has

 been one of his best-performing worms of the year.

He says this bait has the ability to make smart big bass bite, but it can also catch numbers. That balance is one of the biggest reasons he trusts it.

The best part is that it is easy to use and catches fish.

Kouno’s recommended rig is a jig head wacky rig.

The rigging is simple.

Hook the bait through the narrow waist in the center of the body.

Then keep it in the mid-depth range and shake it with a steady rhythm.

In Japanese, Kouno describes the action as “heko-heko,” which means a continuous, rhythmic shaking motion.

The important point is not to jerk it too hard or move it too far.

Just keep shaking it steadily in the mid-depth range and let the bait create its own action.

Kouno recommends jig head weights from 1.3g to 2.2g.

Choose the weight depending on water depth and the speed you want to fish.

A lighter head is useful when you want to keep the bait slower or higher in the water column.

A heavier head is useful when you need to fish deeper or control the bait more easily.

The Dumbbell Crab Elastomer is a small 22mm elastomer bait. IMAKATSU uses a slightly firm elastomer material that is not too soft and not too hard.

The bait also has fine hairs extending in many directions. These hairs help blend the hook into the silhouette and make it harder for bass to clearly identify the shape.

When shaken with a wacky-style hook set, the body creates a strong rolling action.

This action is one of the key reasons the bait can trigger smart, pressured bass.

For Japanese tournament anglers, this type of small, easy-to-control finesse bait can be very important, especially when fishing for difficult bass in clear water or high-pressure situations.

Recommended setup:

Lure: IMAKATSU Dumbbell Crab Elastomer
https://www.imakatsu.co.jp/soft-lure/dumbbell-crab-elastomer/
Rig: Jig head wacky
Hook position: Narrow waist in the center of the body
Jig head weight: 1.3g–2.2g
Presentation: Steady mid-depth shaking action

Pro angler: Masahiko Kouno
Instagram: @kouno_1
Supported by: IMAKATSU

This is a real Japanese finesse technique from an IMAKATSU-supported JB TOP50 pro.