Living Rubber Jig vs Silicone Jig (Which One Catches More Bass?)
Living rubber jigs didn’t disappear because they stopped catching fish.
They disappeared because they were too time-consuming to make.
Big tackle companies realized they could produce silicone jigs faster, cheaper, and at scale. So the industry shifted—not because silicone was better, but because it was easier to manufacture.
But if you actually compare the two in the water, there is no contest.
Living Rubber vs Silicone: What’s the Difference?
A standard silicone jig uses a banded skirt—typically around 3/16” wide—that compresses the material tightly against the jig head. In the water, that skirt tends to collapse around the bait with very little natural movement.
The result?
- Minimal flare
- Limited action
- A “dead” look underwater
A true hand-tied living rubber jig is completely different.
The tying process allows the rubber to be cinched tightly at the head with fine wraps, creating a narrow pivot point. This gives the strands room to breathe, expand, and move naturally.
Why Living Rubber Jigs Catch More Fish
When a living rubber jig hits the water:
- The skirt opens naturally
- It pulses with subtle movement
- It reacts to even slight current or rod movement
👉 It looks alive—and that matters to bass.
Especially in colder water or pressured fisheries, that subtle action can make the difference between a follow and a strike.
Durability: Another Big Advantage
There’s also a durability factor that often gets overlooked.
Banded silicone skirts can weaken over time, stretch, and slide down the hook.
A hand-tied living rubber jig stays locked in place.
Fish after fish, cast after cast—the skirt stays exactly where it should be.
What About Color Options?
One of the biggest arguments in favor of silicone jigs is color variety—and that’s fair.
There are far more color combinations available with silicone skirts than with living rubber.
But that’s not always a good thing.
Simpler Can Be Better
With living rubber jigs, the color options are more limited—and that actually works in your favor.
Instead of overloading your tackle box with dozens of jig colors, you can simplify your approach:
- Pick a few proven living rubber jig colors
- Let the jig provide the action, flare, and profile
- Use your trailer to dial in the exact presentation and color
Let the Trailer Do the Work
Rather than constantly switching jig colors, you can:
👉 Standardize your jig selection
👉 Adjust your look with different trailers
This gives you:
- More consistency
- Faster decision-making on the water
- A cleaner, more efficient tackle system
A More Efficient Way to Fish
When you combine a hand-tied living rubber jig with the right trailer, you’re getting:
👉 Maximum action from the jig
👉 Maximum flexibility from the trailer
Instead of chasing endless color combinations, you’re focusing on what actually matters:
👉 Presentation
👉 Movement
👉 Efficiency
And that leads to better decisions—and more fish in the boat.
Built by Hand, Not a Machine
This is the real difference.
A living rubber jig isn’t assembled in a factory—it’s tied by hand.
That allows the jig maker to control how the skirt sits, how it flares, and how it behaves in the water.
👉 It’s not mass produced—it’s built to perform.
Try One and See the Difference
If you’ve never fished a hand-tied living rubber jig, it’s worth putting one in your rotation.
You’ll notice it immediately:
- More natural movement
- Better profile in the water
- Increased confidence fishing it
👉 And confidence catches fish.
Shop Hand-Tied Living Rubber Jigs
Looking for a jig that actually performs the way it should?
👉 Check out our hand-tied living rubber jigs here:
California Style Heavy Football Jig
Pressured Water? No problem check out the Lightweight Jig (Northeast Finesse Special)