Jacker/Slammer setups?

[800stealth]

I've had jawjackers for a couple seasons now but this is the 1st year I've been using them regularly... Theres been a few hook discussions this year but none got into what guys are using for a setup. I've been using the same trokar hooks that I use on my crappie traps, cant remember what they are called but kind of a hybrid, siwash but with baitholder barbs on the shank. I rarely miss a hook set on a trap with these but so far I've had 3 misses with the jackers this morning... I'm chalking it up to dinks stealing shiners but I'm still curious just the same what you guys rig your jacker/slammer rigs with?

[AQUAASSASSIN]

I use a couple feet of 6 lb flouro attached by a tiny spro swivel so smelt don’t loop it up and then a # 8 gamy octopus hook

I use NO weight, I found that if it’s in the vicinity of the bottom of the ice the rod going off can catch a split shot on the underside of the hole and you don’t get a full swing.

I also noticed for every say 10 fish buddies miss with jackers I only miss one bc I think my slammers weigh more and the front doesn’t bounce when the rod pops just making it drive home that much better

[zwiggles]

#8 or #10 gama octopus here too for most everything. I’ve been messing around with other hooks for cusk, but haven’t found one I’m really happy with yet.

For shiners have you tried hook them farther towards the nose? Maybe the perch can’t get the whole thing in it’s mouth, and it’s setting the hook into nothing once tripped?

[800stealth]

Right on, I haven't been using octo hooks because I figured the fast snap of the set might just pull it through their bite. I am using a split shot but I'm in 18 fow near bottom right now, I get what your saying about shallow sets though..  I'll tie on some octos and see how they do. I also see what your saying about the jacker moving around, they bounce up of the ice when they go off, that's why I stopped using them when I first got them. I'm thinking maybe a couple pieces of rebar in the legs to weight them down might help that...

[800stealth]

Yeah Z I'm thinking its dink perch not taking the entire shiner at this point, all the Larry's have been hooked perfect in the lip...

[AQUAASSASSIN]

I love the straight octos they’re not circle octo just straight octo

[zwiggles]

I have also been “packing” the sides of my jaw jackers with shavings from the whole. Seems to keep the rig steady when they go off, and they don’t bounce around when the fish goes for a run either.

[Coffin Dodger]

I use a couple feet of 6 lb flouro attached by a tiny spro swivel so smelt don’t loop it up and then a # 8 gamy octopus hook

I use NO weight, I found that if it’s in the vicinity of the bottom of the ice the rod going off can catch a split shot on the underside of the hole and you don’t get a full swing.

This ^ ^
And when fishing shallow, I always preferred the bare bait doing their bare bait thing without the weight.

[800stealth]

I love the straight octos they’re not circle octo just straight octo

Gotcha, I was thinking circle octo at first...

[five fathoms]

 You might also consider attaching a small counterweight on the line to give the fish some slack to gather up and fully inhale your bait before it gets stung. When presenting baitfish, I've attached a semi- straightened paper clip on slackened line between two of the lower rod guides so that it dangles. I thread a small soft plastic onto the paper clip to provide just enough weight to hold back the shiner. (Or you could use a cheapo line-thru slip float.) I don't think the Jacker goes off until the line completely tightens, at which point there is a better chance the fish has the hook between its lips.

[800stealth]

Went through the hook box last night and got out some octo hooks to tie on the jacker rods for this morning.... Though after a few more hours yesterday I realized that a school of gills was roaming around my spot, never seen them in this area before, after bucketing a couple dozen on a micro tungsten the jackers stopped missing... gill fry for dinner last night was pretty good lol...
Thanks for the setup tips fellas.

[Doeslayer]

Im using a 38" med heavy frabill rod with 8lb mono tied to a stinger hook.... Works pretty good

[dbickom]

Good info for all of us!  Really appreciate the input.

[HuntnFish603]

Echo alot of this great info.
Slip floats on the jacker work great. Gives them an extra second to take it, but not too far down.
And of course, nothing but gammy octo hooks.