JawJackers for Stocked Trout

In the past I used to use iFishPro tip ups for my stocked trout fishing. They generally worked well. However this season, I decided to get a JawJacker for my trout fishing. I used it a few times this season and it turned out to be a great tool. Listening to bells ringing from the rod popping was quite an adrenaline inducing moment, followed by the mad dash to reel in the trout.

In this post, I’ll go over why you should get a JawJacker and some general tips for setting one up.

Why a JawJacker?

A JawJacker (and its variants) is a device that puts your rod into a bend with your line in the water. When the line is pulled the rod will load up hard and fast, setting the hook into the fish immediately.

This is useful for a variety of reasons. When using a deadstick rod or tipup, there is the chance that the fish swallows or drops the bait due to feeling resistance, which are both bad results. A JawJacker instantly pins the hook in the mouth prevent the bait from being dropped or swallowed. Stocked trout are delicate fish which need to be hooked in the mouth if you potentially intend on releasing them. I personally love keeping trout for the table but I’d hate to see an illegal or monster trout die from a swallowed hook.

As a general rule, I prefer to use tipups when a fish needs time to get a bait into its mouth. JawJackers are a lot better when a fish should be capable of ingesting a small bait in one bite. JawJackers also will have a hard time in extreme cold due to lack of insulation of the hole.

Keep in mind the JawJacker and its variants are illegal in certain areas. Check your local regulations first.

JawJacker Rods

When using JawJackers, the rod being used needs to be considered. Personally I don’t like seeing rods being put in a perpetual bend as I feel they could break or become warped. In general, the rod cannot be too long unless it has enough bend. Around 36″ is where I find that rods will not fit. The rod also needs to be stiff enough to actually drive the hook into a fish’s mouth.

I would personally advise against using an expensive graphite rod. Graphite is great for sensitivity but is brittle which in the cold can lead to snapping. You do not need sensitivity for a rod that you are never holding.

The best dedicated JawJacker rod I found for my needs was a 30″ Eagle Claw ice rod. It comes at the incredibly cheap price of $15 CAD MSRP. It has the right length, action and price. Even if it breaks, I won’t be losing sleep over it. The only drawback I find is that the rod is on the shorter end when it comes to fighting fish but when you buy a rod for $15, I feel it’s a small price to pay. Before shopping for a JawJacker rod, consider searching the basement or garage for an old ice rod that you never use. It could be the perfect JawJacker rod.

Now I do recommend that you use a decent reel with braided line however. When it comes to ice fishing, having a good reel means a more reliable drag system which is essential for fighting fish.

Rigging the JawJacker

When it comes to JawJackers, I like a small treble hook with a small split shot a few inches above. Trebles are better than single hooks as it increases the chance of pricking the fish in the mouth, which is essential when the hookset is instant. As trout are line shy, use a 3′ to 4′ length of fluorocarbon.

As for bait, I like using shrimp, small minnows or trout dough, provided it is legal. I have not tried them myself but some anglers have had success with balanced flies which are flies that are designed to hang horizontally. These baits need to be small enough so the trout can eat it in one bite. Too large of a bait can cause the trout to drop the bait.

Generally I like setting the bait around a few inches to a foot off the bottom. With many stocked trout lakes, shallow weedlines are my preferred location for leaving the line. Since you’re allowed two lines, my other rod is used for jigging or perhaps a second JawJacker rig can be used.

I highly recommend having bells on your rod. When the rod unloads, it can be difficult to see from a distance unlike tipups. Bells will produce a loud sound that will alert you to the bite. The hook will already be set so all you need to do is take the rod out of the JawJacker and reel in the fish.

Final Words

Next time you go stocked trout fishing, consider getting the JawJacker for your set line, it will be a lot more pleasant for the fish and yourself.

It may be the end of the general season here in Manitoba but there are still some ice fishing opportunities on stocked trout lakes and the northern region. Get out there and see if you can make some last minute memories happen!