Jaw jacker?

[Fishin_dad]

I have been watching some videos in YouTube that show a jaw jacker for ice fishing? They seem great but I was wondering if anyone here has tried them and if they are worth the price. What are the pros and cons? I also saw a lot of people who have tried to make their own on YouTube but they don't show them in action on the ice. Has anyone tried to make their own and if so, how did it go on the ice?
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[Waresm]

They work great! just make sure your jig is hanging horizontal. they have gone up in price since i bought mine years ago.
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[Fish_Utah_Bob]

I use one in my 2nd hole that I can't get to real fast. I prefer holding the rod, but the jacker is ok as a helper.
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[kj]

I second the comment about it being a helper. You need to decide what it is you want to do... fish or catch fish. Personally, my preference is to hold the pole rather than sit and stare at a device waiting for something to happen. I do fish to catch fish, but the catching is a bonus of the outing. Learning to read the ice and the conditions below is a skill that brings pride and enjoyment into the sport. Kind of like hunting... you can go to hunt and enjoy the outing or go to kill. If the latter is your goal, the trip isn't considered successful unless you kill.

I especially enjoy ice fishing when the bite is so light, that it takes a tip sensor to detect the slightest nudge. You miss a lot of fish when you don't hold the pole.
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[TubeFisherman]

I used my for the first time just the other day. I think if you were using just one pole, I for sure wouldn't use it. Multiple pole, I would. You can set it off a little ways and don't have to worry to much about watching you pole tip for the slightest movement. The biggest fish of the day, however, was landed through the jaw jacker. Ha . . Ha. . . landed. The jaw jacker set the hook, but I guess Jaw Jacker doesn't currently have the option of reeling the fish in for you yet.

Note, one thing that they for sure they don't show in the video's is the misses. I've only used it the once, but it had about 8 "sets" that didn't hook anything. One I went over to the pole and jigged it twice and landed the fish. I'm sure that over time you will have less fish missed.

I for sure am glad about my purchase, but if you have two poles close together I probably would just stick with what you got.
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[Rockchuck]

I built a couple last winter with odds and ends from the garage just to try out the concept. I had them out twice last winter and had 6 hooksets and 4 catches. So, for the distance hole it worked good, I caught more on the hole I was actively jigging by far. I assume a jaw jacker could be fine tuned a bit more for bite sensitivity that the ones I built, which could help with better hook ups in general and with light bites in particular.

You can built one easy enough though.

This is what i used:

section of 2x4
old screw-in rod holder (could use pvc pipe though and I may switch to that in future if I make more)
1 mixing stick for paint (the kind you get free with a gallon of paint from home depot)
1 wood screw
1 cable fastener screw
1 wire hanger
1 zip tie

Instructions:

1. Drill a hole in the end of the 2x4 and thread in the rod holder.
2. take mixing stick and drill wood screw though the middle of it into the bottom of the 2x4. makes sure to allow some slack so you can rotate mixing stic out to 90 degree angle. (this gives you a stable base)
3. drill cable fastener screw into 2x4 at opposite end of 2x4 from rod holder.
4. cut wire hangerinto about 1 ft section, take a dowel or handle of screwdriver (anything round will work) and wrap one end around it twice to form an eyelet (make sure to leave around 1-2" tag end that the end of your rod will hook onto). On the other end, take some plyers or vice grips and fashion a "U" or a "V" that your line will lay over.
5. run zip tie through cable fastener and the eyelet of the hanger wire and secure loosely in about a 1" diameter loop.

Now you are done, proceed to catch fish! You will need to fiddle around with bending the angle on the hanger wire and how closely you have your rod slipped over it to adjust how easily it will trigger a hookset.

I will see if I have a picure I can throw up here.

Super cheap alternative to dropping $40 just to see if you even like it...most will likely have enough odds and ends lying around to rig one up for free in 5-10 minutes.
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[Fishin_dad]

Thanks for the advice guys. I was bored last night so I took some PVC pipe and made one. I usually only use one pole, but I thought this would be good for a second hole like you all suggested. I Fiddled with it for an hour or so and now I am just waiting to take it out on the ice this week, hopefully tomorrow. I'll let you know how it does.
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[spinmaster21]

We do a LOT of ice fishing and we always use a "jaw jacker" or one of our homemade devices every time we go out on our 2nd pole. As previously mentioned, it just depends on what your outing is focused on catching fish or just fishing. Holding the rod is much more exciting by far, but it's also fun to hear your "jaw jacker" go off and run over to see what if anything was hooked. We've experimented with about 6 different designs and have had great success with about 2 of them. One is very similar to the post from RockChuck and another sounds similar to what you've made with PVC pipe. Each have been MORE successful than the actual Jaw Jacker brand, which usually runs you about $40, the one's we're making usually run us about $5 total. I'm not saying it's not a great product(Jaw Jacker) because it really is but for your adventurous fisherman that wants to make something of their own it's very easy.

More often than not the device will go off and miss the fish but usually I can run to it and with a little enticing can get the fish to bite again and set the hook myself.

PM me if you have any questions on how to make any of them. Just be sure to be careful when setting any of them and not to put your face over the rod learned my lesson more than once setting these little things and I'll tell you what it hurts like hell to be smacked in the face when it's below zero and your face is already cold!

Good luck and happy fishing!
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[The_Red_Leaker]

I own a JawJacker and love it for the second pole. $40 is a bit pricey so made these a few weeks ago for about $12 each. Haven't tested them in the field yet but I have high hopes.
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[RockyRaab]

Now that we can use two poles, I'm seriously considering either a Jaw Jacker or an Automatic Fisherman. I just set up my sled with a rod holder that will work as a deadstick rod holder, and may try that for a season first. But I'm intrigued by the hook-setting action of these devices.

I've watched/read a bunch of reviews and the JJ seems to have the advantage of folding up smaller, while the AF isn't as susceptible to freezeup if the trigger gets wet. So far, I'm leaning to the AF.
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[windriver]

I love my jaw jackets. We have kept track and we have an 80% hook up rate. Set the trigger as light as the weight of your jig wil allow. Use small jigs. The diagram on the jaw jacket web site is right on if you follow it hook ups will increase. I fished Montana a couple days ago were you can only have two poles. I jigged one and used the jaw jacker to explore different depths. Worked great for finding the best places in areas I haven't fished before. The only problem is keeping the trigger dry. As long as you move the jacker before pulling the fish out there is no problem.

They are also great for kids with short attention spans. The kids can play skate, sled, etc...while waiting for the fish.
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[The_Red_Leaker]

Interesting modification to help avoid the "misses".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwG18WAJxqY
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[Jeremypalms]

I would save your money and make your own. They are not hard and they work just the same. I will attach some photos of one that I just made and I only spent 3 bucks! I still have to make some modifications but it works great for a second pole!
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[RockyRaab]

That's certainly a clever design for the trigger, and that's the critical part.
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[ifishinxs]

Pros:
I can set one up 100ft away and let it do the work. I can cover more area while trying to locate fish. I can fish two rods and not worry about the hook set or watch as my rod get as pulled thru the ice. They are great for kids. Just set them up and when you hear the rod pop the kids race to reel in the fish.

Cons: price and who doesn't want to feel the bite and set the hook.

They have been a nice addition to the pile of gear I pull out on the ice.
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[hatucat]

A friend of mine has his version on sale at Smith and Edwards. I think it is being sold for 15.00. I think that is a good deal.
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[Ezpz13]

Here is the version I made for my wife and daughter. Pretty basic and cheap to make. They obvious like the customized look
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[Fishin_dad]

Well I went to scofield today and took my home made jaw jacker. The fishing was slow for us. We were marking them in the sonar but the fish didn't like what we were offering I guess. We did catch one as soon as we got there, a small cut, but catching one on the first cast like that meant we wouldn't catch another one all day. The jaw jacker did release once and my son started to reel it in but he got off right in the hole. It was fun, but cold. - 22 when we pulled up.
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[killerhook]

I have had one for a couple of years and don't really care for it. It misses most trout bites and distracts me from my main pole.
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[oneal]

I've built 2 for this year and so far i've got maybe a 60% hookup.It seem's the aggressive fish get the hook and the nibbler's just set it and steal.I do like the fact I can set the 1 or 2 out in different areas and I can move a bit with my pole and finder.
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