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Posts: 1516
| There is alot said about CPR and the correct way to hold a fish for photos etc. but I don't recall seeing anything about barbless hooks. Do any of you guys flatten the barbs? If not why not? |
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| Yeah, I fish barbless for muskies, except for single hooked lures with long, solid arms (spinnerbaits, buzzbaits). There may be concern for deeper penetration, but I've experienced no short-term mortalities yet. I've only lost maybe 10 fish over the last 10 years that I blame on barbless hooks. I've had hooks reposition during fights, creating more wounds.
On the positive side, releases are a breeze! No more parts of hooks left in eyes or in gills. And, I can just shake some slack at smaller fish, they shake off and are swimming again with no handling. I've had no need to cut a hook since going barbless. Hooks come out of nets, dogs, and human skin so much easier when the hook is rendered barbless. I think the ease of release more than offsets any perceived drawbacks.
I just use a stout, flat jaw-faced pliers to crimp down the barb. |
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Posts: 440
| I went barbless this year and see no reason to go back. I worry about getting hooks out of myself first, the fish second........in my mind we both win with barbless hooks. I did not see any issue with too much penatration. I did notice that one pull with the pliars and the hooks fly right out. I did cut some hooks this year, just because the situations looked a little tough and I don't like messing around. I lost 4 of 18. 2 bent hooks (don't get me started) and 2 boatside, blindsided...wild crazy jumpers. If you can draw any conclusions from that. |
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Posts: 158
Location: Eagan, MN | I haven't tried them yet, but Esox Angler just had an article on barbless hooks in one of their recent issues. If I remember correctly, a study had determined that there was no change in hooking mortality as it relates strictly to injuries caused by the hooks. However, overall survival after the catch was improved due to faster releases and less time out of the water. I'm thinking of giving them a try on bucktails next year, and if all goes well I will start experimenting w/ other bait types. I use long, relatively limber rods for all my fishing (even jerkbaits), and I think that will be a key when using barbless hooks.
For those who have already gone barbless, are you mashing the barbs down w/ a pliers, or grinding them off w/ a dremel?
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Posts: 1046
| Thanx,but no thanx! I will use every edge I can get to keep those fish on my line. One lost fish is to many in a season on barbless if you ask me!I just carry a knipex and cut ALOT of hooks.If and when it became a law I would obide,but untill then I will use my barbed hooks.I think you just ruin a good hook bending or grinding it!Opinion`s vary! |
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Posts: 7123
Location: Northwest Chicago Burbs | Personally with the waters I fish, and the time I have to fish I dont feel that I can RISK losing too many more fish, I LOSE ENOUGH ALREADY! I carry knipex and always have a stash of extra hooks around for those hooks I cant work out in less then 7 seconds. I keep the fish in the water, and do my best to keep the fish's head IN the water as much as possible while unhooking. I know that barbless, single hooks would probably do less damage, but I do everything but that to decrease the stressing on the fish.
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Posts: 378
Location: In the slop! | I made the decision to go barbless in 98, I think. At the time, my main concern was my safty. Fishing by myself, miles away from any other people the thought of being hooked to a big fish was not apealing to me. I don't regret going barbless and see no reason to go back. As has already been stated, releases are a breeze. |
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Posts: 670
Location: Minnetonka , MN. | I would go barbless but it's so much fun getting the hooks out when they have barbs
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Posts: 2754
Location: Mauston, Wisconsin | I've been fishing barbless for all species since I got attached to a ~4lb smallmouth on a 1997 Canadian flyin trip. Had to pull the hook myself. my fishing partner was a bit green behind the gills & couldn't stomach doing it for me. I had him hold my hooked hand down on a rock & I pulled it! It felt so GOOD when that hook popped out- I swore I'd never put myself in that position again. Now I only worry about my boat partner's hooks getting me, so all the pro-barbless stuff is true-> Much easier releases, for both fish and fisherman. Plus I don't think it's hurt my catch rate- maybe even improved hook penetration. "All Water is Zalt Water" Al Warner http://www.zaltnad.com |
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