Barbless Hooks: When catch and release fishing, why not crimp the barbs on lures? It seems like barbs can really tear up a fish's mouth and make unhooking messy. Survival rates...

tblutton1

When catch and release fishing, why not crimp the barbs on lures? It seems like barbs can really tear up a fish's mouth and make unhooking messy. Survival rates probably increase. In addition, a barbed hook stuck in a finger can be difficult to extract. Perhaps it becomes a little more difficult to land a fish, but I'll bet the hook-up ratio increases.

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

tblutton1 wrote:

When catch and release fishing, why not crimp the barbs on lures? It seems like barbs can really tear up a fish's mouth and make unhooking messy. Survival rates probably increase. In addition, a barbed hook stuck in a finger can be difficult to extract. Perhaps it becomes a little more difficult to land a fish, but I'll bet the hook-up ratio increases.

That's all I use unless I'm fishing with someone else's equipment.

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Yes, and it is a wise choice when you are fishing with a child. Even with their best intentions, someone is likely to get hooked, you or the child, an especially if there is more than one child fishing and casting. I doubt that many more fish would be lost with barbed hooks flattened. Just Sayin...RJS

Big dog Loc: Bayshore, Long Island, New York

Robert J Samples wrote:

Yes, and it is a wise choice when you are fishing with a child. Even with their best intentions, someone is likely to get hooked, you or the child, an especially if there is more than one child fishing and casting. I doubt that many more fish would be lost with barbed hooks flattened. Just Sayin...RJS

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Kerry Hansen Loc: Bremerton, WA

tblutton1 wrote:

When catch and release fishing, why not crimp the barbs on lures? It seems like barbs can really tear up a fish's mouth and make unhooking messy. Survival rates probably increase. In addition, a barbed hook stuck in a finger can be difficult to extract. Perhaps it becomes a little more difficult to land a fish, but I'll bet the hook-up ratio increases.

You don't have to make that decision in some states, It is required. Either buy them or squash barb so that thumb nail can't catch on barb end. read the game laws to see their requirement as to what qualifies as smashed. i rather smash than buy because the little bump is better than smooth hook to help keep hook from sliding out. Also the right rod will help keep hook buried.

Jim Kay Loc: Franklin, Virginia

Seems like a good practice to me.

MuskyHunter Loc: Torrington, CT

I use barbless hooks most of the time. Makes it easy to remove hooks, especially with large fish like muskies. I also change over to single Siwash hooks on most of my baits. My catch rate has not changed although some would think that.

An interesting note...the Minnesota DNR did some study on barbless and found it did not reduce mortality that much. It seems that barbless hooks can penetrate very deeply on a deeply hooked fish and that may cause additional damage in some cases.

Still it did not increase mortality and it is definitely easier and safer.

Tom Z Loc: Perkasie,Pa

All the flies I tie for personal use, whether fresh or salt water, are barbless. I pinch down the barbs. I do the same with all my plugs and swimbaits hooks.

ranger632 Loc: Near Yosemite Park Ca.

tblutton1 wrote:

When catch and release fishing, why not crimp the barbs on lures? It seems like barbs can really tear up a fish's mouth and make unhooking messy. Survival rates probably increase. In addition, a barbed hook stuck in a finger can be difficult to extract. Perhaps it becomes a little more difficult to land a fish, but I'll bet the hook-up ratio increases.

I change most of my treble hooks to single inline hooks, much better for fish and me

RuffplayOR57 Loc: Klamath Falls, OR

tblutton1 wrote:

When catch and release fishing, why not crimp the barbs on lures? It seems like barbs can really tear up a fish's mouth and make unhooking messy. Survival rates probably increase. In addition, a barbed hook stuck in a finger can be difficult to extract. Perhaps it becomes a little more difficult to land a fish, but I'll bet the hook-up ratio increases.

It’s required here tb for certain areas and Species. If it’s not required I use barbed so I Don’t loose what I’m after.

Bigbum Loc: Washington

Iv'e changed most of my gear over to barbless and have noticed no change in holding on. Also I lean towards circle or octopus hooks that self set and hold on. I still lose my share of fish, that's why its fishing. Sometimes I do like to go "catching".

USAF Major Loc: Sea Bright, NJ

Can't be beat when you find bluefish!

Fishing Fool Loc: redding, ca

We lose lots of salmon and steelies with barbless hooks, many more that with barbs.

captjim Loc: Antioch Ca

When smashing down the barb, this how the Cal. wardens determine barb or barbless. They will have a cotton ball, stick the hook in the cotton ball. When removed if any cotton fibers stay on the hook it is considered a barbed hook.

Bigbum Loc: Washington

Perhaps. Here in Wa. mostly fin clipped so there's a lot of releasing going on.