Barbless hooks: I would like to fish an area on the Merced river that is artificial baits and barbless hooks only. Catch and release. What is the best way to remove the barb from a...

Dogman68 Loc: Merced California (centralvalley)

I would like to fish an area on the Merced river that is artificial baits and barbless hooks only. Catch and release. What is the best way to remove the barb from a hook?File,grind or cut it off? How much harder is it to land a fish with a barbless hook? Never done this before.

Gordon Loc: Charleston South Carolina

Dogman68 wrote:

I would like to fish an area on the Merced river that is artificial baits and barbless hooks only. Catch and release. What is the best way to remove the barb from a hook?File,grind or cut it off? How much harder is it to land a fish with a barbless hook? Never done this before.

Files don't work to good. Use a grinder but hold it with pliers. I mash mine in with pliers but don't know if that's exceptible where you're at.

The bus Loc: San Francisco ca

Just get some pliers and squish the barb down good luck

mistred64 Loc: Grayslake, illinois

Pliers

Dogman68 Loc: Merced California (centralvalley)

The bus wrote:

Just get some pliers and squish the barb down good luck

Don't know if that would be acceptable to a game warden?

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

Dogman68 wrote:

Don't know if that would be acceptable to a game warden?

In some states it's acceptable, in some it's not. Check California's rules, before you get popped for making a mistake. I've heard of some states using a cotton ball to check, and if it snags any fibers, NFG.

Grizzly 17 Loc: South central Pa

Dogman68 wrote:

I would like to fish an area on the Merced river that is artificial baits and barbless hooks only. Catch and release. What is the best way to remove the barb from a hook?File,grind or cut it off? How much harder is it to land a fish with a barbless hook? Never done this before.

Look for barbless online 👍

bapabear Loc: Blaine, Washington

Some hooks, the barb just pops off clean when you smash them. As for fishing them, just don't allow any slack line when fighting your fish. If bait fishing, I would suggest buying some of the little rubber rings designed to keep bait on. They are easy to use with the dispenser.

ronengland

I've been using Barbless hooks for the past 40 years in Manitoba, Canada, where it is the law. It teaches you to keep the pressure on when retrieving a fish. Any slack in the line will likely give the fish the opportunity to spit the hook. Overall, I personally estimate you will loose 5% of the fish even with the pressure on, and will loose 30% if you give a little slack in the line.

nonki521 Loc: el cerrito ca

when mashing down the barb with pliers, check to see if any light shines through where the barb meets the hook shaft

Nook Loc: Vacaville CA

Fredfish wrote:

In some states it's acceptable, in some it's not. Check California's rules, before you get popped for making a mistake. I've heard of some states using a cotton ball to check, and if it snags any fibers, NFG.

Roger that on the cotton ball. There are places in California I've fished where wardens check with cotton balls.

Sport Loc: Sacramento county north. California

Dogman68 wrote:

I would like to fish an area on the Merced river that is artificial baits and barbless hooks only. Catch and release. What is the best way to remove the barb from a hook?File,grind or cut it off? How much harder is it to land a fish with a barbless hook? Never done this before.

Goodmorning Dogman. I bought a few rebel td47 plugs, barbless. Untried, they look good. I also changed a few spoons to owner barbless. The eyes are too small, we'll see. Carolina rigs with plastics is an option. We have an 18" minimum leader length above 1/2 oz or greater on the American River. I've not found large eye replacement hooks barbless. Good luck. I'm in the same boat. TD47's came from discount tackle.

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

Nook wrote:

Roger that on the cotton ball. There are places in California I've fished where wardens check with cotton balls.

I've heard that on the Stage Nook. Cali and a couple other states, I believe. We're pretty lucky here, with only a couple "Barbless" areas for Trout, and I believe Atlantic Salmon. Also, mashed down is ok, and checking with a finger is normal.

mr.sleeve Loc: Anaheim Hills

Dogman68 wrote:

I would like to fish an area on the Merced river that is artificial baits and barbless hooks only. Catch and release. What is the best way to remove the barb from a hook?File,grind or cut it off? How much harder is it to land a fish with a barbless hook? Never done this before.

You can purchase barbless hooks on-line, that way, no game warden can question your honesty regarding the use of barbless hooks…while fishing with them, the key to success is to keep constant, gentle pressure on the line, don’t “pump” the fish in…a slack line increases the chances of the hook working its way out…hope that helps, best of luck and enjoy to new challenge….

Grizzly 17 Loc: South central Pa

Fredfish wrote:

I've heard that on the Stage Nook. Cali and a couple other states, I believe. We're pretty lucky here, with only a couple "Barbless" areas for Trout, and I believe Atlantic Salmon. Also, mashed down is ok, and checking with a finger is normal.

Striper if live bait down this way at least Fred 👍