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Posts: 7
| Does anyone use barbless hooks? I'm new to the sport of muskie fishing, and have used barbless hooks for other fish. I can't wait until I catch my first muskie, but I will admit that I'm a little nervous about the release. Any tips? I have been fishing the shore of the Allegheny still waiting for my first follow. It's been a blast so far. |
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Posts: 1764
Location: Ogden, Ut | I've used both, as long as you keep a tight line, I can't say as I've seen much of a difference. Definately easier to get the hooks out 'on purpose' though.
Probably a wise precaution if you tend to be a bit careless when you place your hands near a hooked fish.
K. |
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Posts: 57
Location: Racine WI | Haven't used barbless, but I convert a lot of lures from trebles to single hooks. I don't get enough strikes to properly judge the results
 , but I THINK I hook about the same percentage, and it's much easier to release the fish from a single. Don't have two points pulling against each other, or hooks catching in the net. |
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Posts: 67
Location: St. Germain, Wi | my partner and I have been using barbless for five years without a problem including 6 over 50. It makes life in the boat much easier because the hooks dont get stuck in seats, sweatshirts and skin. We take the barbs off before we even sharpen the hooks. |
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Posts: 285
| I've also considered going barbless.
A friend who is more into trout and arctic fishing is all barbless, so is my pal Esox Maniac.
Anyone have a good technique for removing the barbs? I have a good bold cutter, and also a dremel tool. Hopefully someone else has tried this on the big trebles we use on muskie baits.
Thanks,
Papa Joe |
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Posts: 2378
| Use a vise grip and just pinch it over. If it is a real heavy barb use the dremel and grind it off. I like to pinch them because I can leave a little nub. Probably doesnt do anything but give me a little more confidence. |
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Posts: 154
Location: Appleton, WI | Did it a lot with other fish, the past couple of years I have been rowing in a kayak for muskies. Barbless makes them a lot easier to remove and in my experience it does not lead to lost fish. You must keep a tightline. |
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Posts: 2061
Location: Belgium | I'vs started using barbless hooks last year and I can't say that I loose more fish (or less in my case) than before. I lost another two solid pike on barbless hooks so same ol' same ol'! LOL! As long as you get a good hookset and you keep the pressure on the fish (which you should do with barbed hooks anyway) there's no problem. Keep slack out of your line at all times when playing a fish.
Anyhow, it's a lot better for the fish (some barbs are HUGE) and safer for you when you try to land the pike/musky. I've had 4 trebles in my hand by now and I can tell you, it's a nuissance when you're fishing ... One time i needed to go to the hospital but the last two times I could just pull the hook out of my hand and fish on. |
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