02-10-2014, 07:00 PM
I have a lot of experience using jaw jackers and also something similar called the automatic fisherman. The problem you are experiencing with the jawjacker is clearly common and more so later in the ice season when fish start becoming more and more dormant and hesitant.
One of the issues this time of year using the jawjacker is that the fish dont fully commit to your jig right away and more or less bite little sections of your jig without getting the hook inside the mouth in order for the jaw jacker to become effective. The problem with the jawjacker is that any little nibble will set the thing off, often resulting in a false hook set.
Here is the trick I have shown many people at work that it will increase the effectiveness of the jawjacker.
When you seat your reel take your line through the first line guide and then slip on a clear plastic bobber. I prefer to use the smaller size bobber because you can fill it with water if you need it to be heavier for larger jigs and bait. Once the bobber is on continue to thread your line but keep that bobber in between the first and second line guide. Set everything else up like you normally would. Adjust your jig to the proper depth and now very carefully loosen your drag and pull line out so that the bobber drops down towards the base of the jaw jacker or the ice. The idea behind this is that when a fish is interested in your jig, the JJ will only set the hook once the bobber is pulled up to your pole ensuring that only committed fish will set off the JJ keeping you from constantly resetting the JJ.
Depending on the activity level of the fish, you can preset the bobber closer or further away from the pole so that the fish will pull a predetermined amount of line before the JJ is triggered. You have to remember that you want the weight of the bobber just heavy enough to keep your jig from pulling the bobber upwards but not heavy enough to spook the fish when it feels the resistance.
This method will allow you to use almost any size jig effectively on the JJ and keeping the frustration level at a minimum.
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One of the issues this time of year using the jawjacker is that the fish dont fully commit to your jig right away and more or less bite little sections of your jig without getting the hook inside the mouth in order for the jaw jacker to become effective. The problem with the jawjacker is that any little nibble will set the thing off, often resulting in a false hook set.
Here is the trick I have shown many people at work that it will increase the effectiveness of the jawjacker.
When you seat your reel take your line through the first line guide and then slip on a clear plastic bobber. I prefer to use the smaller size bobber because you can fill it with water if you need it to be heavier for larger jigs and bait. Once the bobber is on continue to thread your line but keep that bobber in between the first and second line guide. Set everything else up like you normally would. Adjust your jig to the proper depth and now very carefully loosen your drag and pull line out so that the bobber drops down towards the base of the jaw jacker or the ice. The idea behind this is that when a fish is interested in your jig, the JJ will only set the hook once the bobber is pulled up to your pole ensuring that only committed fish will set off the JJ keeping you from constantly resetting the JJ.
Depending on the activity level of the fish, you can preset the bobber closer or further away from the pole so that the fish will pull a predetermined amount of line before the JJ is triggered. You have to remember that you want the weight of the bobber just heavy enough to keep your jig from pulling the bobber upwards but not heavy enough to spook the fish when it feels the resistance.
This method will allow you to use almost any size jig effectively on the JJ and keeping the frustration level at a minimum.
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