Lockjaw...why does it happen?

[Speezio]

i dont know the causes of lockjaw but when i catch striped bass, a while after they are dead they stiffen up (rigor mortis) and their mouths and gill plates are open.

hope it helps

 

[Onion01]

yeah, but their mouths have been physically extended, right? I've never caught striped bass, but after a while with pbass on the line, their operculum extends and their mouth stretches. Good point you brought up. Maybe it has to do with physical exhaustion