IceShanty.com's Ice Fishing Community
Ice Fishing Tips -Check your local regulations! => Tipups => Topic started by: Stihl21 on Nov 13, 2011, 03:14 PM
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Looking to buy one of these - have read quite a bit about the Automatic Fisherman and it seems to work fairly well. Was at Sportsmans Warehouse and noticed a new type called the Jawjacker. Wondering what people think about these. Not exactly sure when they came out so on ice reviews might not be available yet. Only potential problem I can see is possibly the trigger mechanism freezing over? That and having to throw it out of the way after taking the rod out.
http://www.jawjackerfishing.com/
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Welcome to the shanty Stihl21, Glad to have ya aboard ! I like the Price on the Jacker versus the AF, less then half ! this is the first time that I've seen this system, I'll have to check it out more, it does seen to have a lot of Plastic parts and I wonder how they hold up in the cold ? thanks for posting it
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Do anyone of you guys use this sort of system for pike?
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I have the AF that I use for LakeTrout, they have a video on the AF site of a 40 some odd Pike caught on the AF !
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I use the AF for splake and really like it. I took a look at this product and it seemed interesting but there set up seems like there is a lot more to it then with the AF. One thing I also like about the AF, is that when you get a bite and the rod sets, the block falls and makes a bang.
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Thank you for your suggestions! We are starting to get fishable ice in the higher elevations so I got the bug to head to the store and pick up some things. After taking a look at the jawjacker a little more closely I think that I will have to agree that the auto fisherman is the way to go being tried and true. Thank you again and I am definitely glad to be here - started ice fishing just mid last season so I am really learning a lot from everyone on the site.
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I like the idea of that loop of line for the set/release, on the rod tip brace to save wear & tear on the top guide. The plastic is difficult to obtain the finish of oak, which stands up to the rigors of winter and what we do with/to it.
Four of these (similar) and a jig rod keeps me fed and happy. :thumbsup:
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I agree about the loop. The AF is murder on the rod tips. I liked the adjustments for different rod lengths. It does look to have a more complicated release system and the warning about getting it wet is something to consider since it sits right over the hole. I'm going to put a loop end on one of my rods for use with my AF.
I'd probably try one of these at that price.
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I have both of these. My AF is always my go to piece. The jawjacker has failed me one to many times especially in colder weather so I'm sticking with my AF's from here on!
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:thumbsup: :thumbsup: for the AF! Not sold on the Jawjacker yet due to all the plastic, but the rod tip loop is a great idea, in my opinion. The price is also more attractive.
I don't know about Jawjackers customer service, but I can vouch for Kerry at Automatic Fisherman- he has gone over and above to help me out with a broken rod that I bought at last years Syracuse Ice Show. I broke it on a very large Lake Trout back in April (still landed it though!), and just wrote it off. A few weeks ago I came across it in my gear and I looked into a warranty on AF's web site. Seems they warranty their stuff for a year, I emailed Kerry, and he called me up and said that shouldn't have happened (34" med/heavy rod), and he would FEDEX a replacement right out, plus a return label for the busted rod. That is the way companies should do business, in my opinion!
Thanks Kerry! I will be buying more of your gear!
BIGJim223
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I was considering getting either an AF or a slammer rig from slamco. Have any of you AF users used a slammer rig?
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what do you guys pay for your AF's? I know here in Ontario they are close to the same price as the jaw Jacker, but i keep seeing comments on how much more expensive they are?
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Ditto on Kerry' service, I bombarded him with questions before dropping the 69 bucks for the unit and he patiantly answered every question I had for him ! :thumbsup:
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I have to agree with Kerry being a really nice guy. I actually called him yesterday with a couple questions and it turned into a 20 min phone call talking about random things about fishing - that was after he fully answered my questions!!
Icejunky - I think most local stores sell the combo pack with a rod, reel, and ice stopper included so it ends up being almost double the price of just the base. But the price of base only does compare to the jawjacker.
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Sorry, I just don't get it... 70$ for the base and 70$ more for the combo? :o
Seems like there are plenty designs on the web and I have a spare spool ::).
Why not spend 20$ for a rod and have fun building one - it's not a rocket science...
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The AF's in my area do not come with a rod/reel combo and run from $29 to $39
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fishing hole shows 50$ for the base. Way overpriced IMHO
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I've used the AF successfully for crappie. Here in IL, the base alone usually sells for around $39. Problem is, they sell out fast.
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Matt thanks for the info
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Matt,
Thank you for taking the time to cover some of the questions/concerns that I had regarding the jawjacker. After watching the YouTube videos I actually ended up picking up both the automatic fisherman and the jawjacker. Figured it will be nice to compare the two, as well as having an extra if needed.
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I just bought 4 Jawjackers and I am excited to get out and use them. I first saw them two years ago when Matt was testing the prototypes at Henrys Lake in Idaho and let me tell you they work. I have not seen the AF but it sounds like a good product too.
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Im going to give one of these a try. (order placed this morning). I like the adjustability of being able to move it back for longer rods, this cant be done on the AF (if i remember correctly)
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Just build one, mine cost next to nothing to build.
(http://i544.photobucket.com/albums/hh354/upstatebass2/HPIM0836.jpg)
(http://i544.photobucket.com/albums/hh354/upstatebass2/IMG_0034-1.jpg)
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Got mine in the mail today... I like what i see from it so far, but it is very light and I wonnder how well it will hold up to abuse. but the mechanism is sound and not as hard on the rods as my AF
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y28/icejunky/Goodies/PB300570.jpg)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y28/icejunky/Goodies/PB300571.jpg)
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That looks pretty cool :o. Love my auto fish though, I am interested to hear how it holds up...keep us posted and good luck !
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Quick video I shot today of the Jaw Jacker and Automatic fisherman.. excuse the quality as i was trsting out my new GoPro camera but my editing software was not up to snuff and killed the quality
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f15L821UKhE (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f15L821UKhE)
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Very cool video - it's always fun playing with the new toys!! I got my automatic fisherman from Fleet Farm a few days ago so I'm pretty excited to try it and the jawjacker on the ice. Hoping within the next few days if the plans work out.
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Cool video Icejunky, thanks for posting that.
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Has anyone had any experience with the HT ice rigger? It looks similar but less expensive.
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I have bunch of experience with the ice rigger. It doesn't have the hooks set the others have. It's more like a tip up. Doesn't work as well in real cold weather do to freeze ups. Made some hole covers but have not played yet do to work. I have an auto fisherman and it works and I bought the slammer kits two years ago and they work but are large to haul around. All things considered I like the rigger as I can jig a fish into biting after they trip if there still around. I use for lake trout and walleye the most.
If you go to In-fisherman video they have riggers in use and explain pretty well.
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Has anyone had any experience with the HT ice rigger? It looks similar but less expensive.
I love riggers, but they are not in the same category as the AF or JJ. These units set the hook for you when triggered, were are the Ice rigger jsut pops a flag like a standard tip-up
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I started this thread back in November and figured that since I finally got a chance to use the Jawjacker this past weekend I would get back on and write an initial review of using it on the ice. One thing I want to point out right away is that I really like that it compacts into itself, saving a lot of space - and I am sure you could fit quite a few inside of a bucket. Another nice feature is the spikes that keep it in place - works well in the wind gusts, and will be nice to keep the fish from knocking it over and potentially pulling the rod down the hole.
One of my first impressions after opening the package was how light it is - which quickly turned into a concern on how well it will hold up. After having dropped it, more than once, from the workbench to the concrete floor in the garage and it having survived still looking and working like new, I would say that it should hold up very well. A huge plus being lightweight and so far very durable.
Another concern I had was the trigger possibly freezing so before the trip I took a preventative approach and sprayed it with WD-40. While on the lake the wind was blowing pretty bad and within a couple minutes the holes would fill with slush and start freezing. I kept the ice scoop handy and tried for awhile to keep the Jawjacker hole cleared out. A few times I would put just enough tension on the line (past my preset tension level) while scooping the slush and it would spring the trigger as normal, so a little WD-40 (not sure if it was necessary) and it worked great.
After I got tired of babysitting the hole every couple minutes I finally just moved the Jawjacker inside the shelter 2 feet away from my active jigging rod. Funny story being the fish must have swam in, took the jig on the Jawjacker first, and then swam up to my active jig. I felt the tug, set the hook, and the fish started to run. At that point the Jawjacker triggers (I though I had a double hookup at the time) so I'm really excited. Well, stupid me I get excited and try to hurry and lift the fish out of the hole and his little headshake was all it took to snap my 4lb line. At this point I am pissed at myself, but then I look over and the Jawjacker rod is still moving so I grab it and fight the fish to the hole. This time I take my time and eventually scoop the fish out and onto the ice and first thing I notice is, sure enough, there is my other jig with the snapped line hanging from it's mouth. So it only took 2 jigs but I was able to land my first fish of the ice season. I will also point out that the Jawjacker set the hook perfectly in the corner of the mouth and the hook ended up in both the upper and lower lip.
Real quick I would also like to point out that I did purchase an Automatic Fisherman as well, and have read a lot of great things about them. But since the Jawjacker is new to the lineup I wanted to focus more on giving that one a try to see how it would perform and hold up to my fishing needs. It will definitely be nice having both when fishing with the little ones at a local pond.
Sorry I don't have any pictures or video of it in action from my trip, but here are a couple videos (NOT mine) that have some really cool camera angles, and I definitely applaud these guys as they did a great job with the video:
&feature=related
Hope this little review helps for next season when they are back in stock.
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I see the JawJacker is Out of Stock until next November 1, 2012. At least from the maker.
Cabelas has the Automatic Fisherman on sale right now for $29.99 ($10 off retail)
http://www.cabelas.com/rods-reels-tip-ups-automatic-fisherman-1.shtml?WT.tsrc=CSE&WT.mc_id=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=1114618&rid=40&mr:trackingCode=A665B70E-F950-E011-BB8E-001B21631C34&mr:referralID=NA&mr:adType=pla (http://www.cabelas.com/rods-reels-tip-ups-automatic-fisherman-1.shtml?WT.tsrc=CSE&WT.mc_id=GoogleProductAds&WT.z_mc_id1=1114618&rid=40&mr:trackingCode=A665B70E-F950-E011-BB8E-001B21631C34&mr:referralID=NA&mr:adType=pla)
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Great story Stihl21, had me laughing pretty good there as I pictured what you described ;D
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Just happened upon this topic through a google search for Automatic Fisherman.
I have both and am in the process of selling my Automatic Fisherman. I just ordered two more jaw jackers.
My experience is:
Automatic Fisherman - Can lose the metal rod, hard on tip guide, heavy, bobber twists when letting line out. Does allow for a bit of slack line which is good.
Jaw Jacker - much lighter and smaller, packs up into a small profile, parts are tethered together, but easily replacable from parts from hardware store (pins), makes a loud noise when triggered. Hookup percentage is good (I'm 7 for 8 with my first jawjacker). It does hold up well. I have caught pike, walleye, trout, burbot already on mine.
Like I said, selling AF and just got 2 more JJs. LOVE them! I don't use tip ups anymore....ever. I got a lake trout in 95 fow on the bottom and it set the hook well. Used a MH rod with enough power, but 95 ft is impressive. You can use a slightly longer rod than the AF can use as well.
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Do you still have your AF for sale? I had a problem with broken rods, but Kerry replaced them. Great customer service. I modified the AF a bit and like how it works for trout. Anyone interested, I'll post some pictures?
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There was a post on page 2 of this discussion with pictures of a homeade version....any reports on how well that worked? Or the durability? Thinking of attempting to make something similar.
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Welcome to Iceshanty, am1445. ;)2
You may get some more info at this link : http://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=232809.0 (http://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=232809.0)
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FYI:
The only problem with these devices is the hole freezing over with the line. The automatic fisherman gives you a bottle of hole deicer and float. I like the deicer but not the float idea. I use a piece of vapor barrier for laminent floor and put a slit in it for the line. I put some deicer on it and it works fine. Anyone know what the deicer is made from?
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If you want to solve the hole freezing over issue, buy hole covers. I use a foam hole cover and a piece of plywood cut the same size as the hole cover. Put the hole cover over the hole, then put the plywood over the hole cover. I cut a grove in the plywood to match the hole cover. I put a small section of a straw on my line so the line does not cut into the hole cover. I will try to get a picture of my set up and post it. It works great.
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GAMBELL, just curious, is that a soda drinking straw, a coffee stirring straw or stable straw ?
Thanks. ;)2