-
- Species
- Whitetails
- Rut Reporters
- Deer Camp
- Big Game
- Small Game
- Birds
- Special Methods
- Bow Hunting
- Conservation
- Heroes of Conservation
- Hero for a Day
- Outdoor Skills
- Total Outdoorsman Challenge
- Land for Sale
-
- Species
- Bass
- Trout
- More Freshwater
- Saltwater
- Catchbook
- Special Methods
- Fly Fishing
- Hook Shots
- Conservation
- Heroes of Conservation
- Hero for a Day
- Outdoor Skills
- Total Outdoorsman Challenge
- Land for Sale
-
- Health & Fitness
- F&S Adventurer
- Outdoor Skills
- Total Outdoorsman Challenge
-
- Rifles
- Shotguns
- 2nd Amendment
- SHOT Show
- Outdoor Skills
- Total Outdoorsman Challenge
Merwin: Pinch a Barb For Fewer Stitches
Recent Comments
Categories
- Ammunition (1)
- Animal Attacks (4)
- Bass Fishing (267)
- Big Game Hunting (1)
- Bird Hunting (1)
- Bow Hunting (2)
- Camping Gear (3)
- Close Calls (3)
- Deer Hunting (1)
- DIY (1)
- Fire (1)
- First-Aid (2)
- Fishing (721)
- Fishing Gear (52)
- Fly Fishing (237)
- Gear (43)
- Guns (2)
- Hook Shots (1)
- Hunting (7)
- Hunting Gear (3)
- More Freshwater (250)
- Other Survival (4)
- Rifles (1)
- Saltwater (226)
- Shelter (1)
- Shooting Gear (1)
- Shotguns (1)
- Small Game (1)
- Survival (11)
- Survival Gear (2)
- Trout Fishing (276)
- Trucks (3)
Recent Posts
- Vintage Tackle Contest: Soap-A-Lure
- Peeing Swimmers Kill 500 Fish in Germany
- 40-Pound Kamikaze Barracuda Launches Assault on Anglers
- Protect Your Skin: How to Use Sunscreen and Keep it Off Your Lures
- Killer Snakeheads: The Real and the Hollywood Varieties
- Vintage Tackle Contest: Whirlaway Rod & Reel Combo
- What Were Some of Your Milestone Rods?
- Smallmouth Jerkbait Tips from Bass Pro Bill Lowen
- How to Free-Line Live-Bait Minnows to Catch Shy Brown Trout
- Vintage Tackle Contest: Heddon Crazy Crawler
Archives
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- November 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
Syndicate
The Honest Angler
in your Inbox
May 20, 2009
Merwin: Pinch a Barb For Fewer Stitches
By John Merwin
Using barbless hooks makes a lot of sense much of the time, but I think too many people ignore the idea. I was rigging a box of lures this morning for my older kids to take striper fishing later in the week. And I took the time to pinch down all the barbs on a variety of treble-hooked plugs. No, I am not being mean--doing so in hopes they’ll land fewer fish. I am instead thinking of them and hoping they’ll fish more safely.
A fishing lure brandishing two or more sets of treble hooks is an awesome weapon--especially when you’re reaching to land a fish that’s thrashing about and whipping such a lure around in the process. One hook in the hand and another in a fish’s jaw becomes a real possibility in this case. Been there; done that. And I didn’t like it much. If the trebles are barbless, at least I know I can pull the hook free very quickly and easily in case of disaster.
Yes, I could use a net instead of grabbing a fish by hand, but most of the time when surf fishing there’s no net available. It can be argued that barbless hooks actually hook fish better than barbed versions. That’s because a barbless hook will penetrate deeper and quicker without a barb to get in the way. And I don’t think I loose more fish when going barbless--not as long as tension is kept on the line, anyway. So then I’m left wondering if barbless is such as good idea, why more people don’t fish that way...
ADVERTISEMENT
Today on Field & Stream
Loading...
Visit Our Sister Sites at Bonnier Corporation
| Enthusiast | Kiteboarding | QUAD | SKI | Skiing | Scuba Diving | Sport Diver | TransWorld Ride BMX | TransWorld Business | TransWorld Motocross | TransWorld SKATEboarding, | TransWorld SNOWboarding | TransWorld SURF | WakeBoarding | WaterSki | Warren Miller Entertainment | WindSurfing |
|---|---|
| Travel | Caribbean Travel & Life | Destination Weddings & Honeymoon | Islands | Meeting Traveler | Resorts & Great Hotels |
| Lifestyle & Shelter | Florida Travel & Life | Garden Design | Home Ft. Lauderdale | Home Miami |
| Luxury | SNOW | Spa |
| Marine | Boating Life | Cruising World | Fly Fishing in Salt Waters | Power Cruising | Marlin | Motor Boating | Sailing World | Salt Water Sportsman | Sport Fishing | Yachting | NewBoats.com | UsedBoats.com | YachtBroker.com |
| Outdoor | Field & Stream | Outdoor Life | SHOT Business |
| Parenting | Babytalk | Parenting |
| Science | Popular Science | Science Illustrated |
| Saveur | Saveur |
| Working Mother Media | Working Mother |
| Entertainment / Events | World Entertainment Services | World Sports & Marketing |
Fieldandstream.com is part of the Field & Stream Network, a division of Bonnier Corporation.
Copyright © 2012 Bonnier Corp. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.
Comments (14)
I do this as a practice when fishing from the kayak. I will also replace the rear treble with a single siwash.
I have evn gone so far as to remove the front trebles and just fish with the single tail hook. This is primarily when fishing for blues.
I'm with you! I bend down all my barbs since I started fishing out of a pontoon raft and landing the fish between my legs. No Barbs Allowed! I can't imagine how fun it would be to have a northern on one end and a hook buried in your inner thigh on the other. Gives me the shivers just thinking about it.
Since I earned a boat I still do it out of habit. Don't seem to lose any more fish and they don't tangle near as bad in nets, carpet, flesh, etc. I also lose the middle treble and replace the rear with a single on baits like the Husky Jerk. I have found the Octupus hooks work a bit better than the Siwash. Check it out.
"Barbless hooks are worthless". That's something someone I knew once said, but in all actuality, they are good for shallow water fishing, and some deep water fishing without current. Stripers are often caught with barbed hooks because they fight and shake hard, but trout in deep pools aren't likely candidates, even though some lake trout can be fished six months after they are spawning. I would stick with what works best, and wear some gloves if you are "scared".
The whole province of Alberta is barbless by law. I'll never forget the first fish I caught barbless, how easy and pain free, for both me and the fish, it was to unhook and release.
I'll have to give this a shot. I've never used barbless hooks.
Growing up in Pennsylvania, I first encountered barbless hooks in trout regs, where they were listed with other measures for special waters. Since lots of the other regs seemed to me (an avowed worm-washer) to be aimed at limiting fisherman productivity, I assumed barbless hooks were in the same basket.
I myself believe it is a good idea but this is somewhat hypocrytical seeing as my largest musky I cuaght was only due to a sharp rapala treble in the side of his mouth while stripe bass fishing.
On the White River where I fish, we have Catch and Release areas where barbless are the norm. Haven't lost too many fish because of that. I might pinch down all my barbs now.
I'll give it a try, especially the lures in my kid's tacklebox.
It definitely would be more safe but I think, that even though you think you do not loose fish, I think the barb would cause less fish to be caught. That barb creates a special feel when a fish bites on... allowing fishermen to set the hook. Without a barb, sounds like it would delay the reaction time and allow the fish to let go before anyone will be able to set the hook.
I agree with jbird. About every 5 casts my seven year makes results in a close call and a reminder to look before you back cast. I have also started learning to cast flies, and have managed to "whip" myself several times in the head and neck while practicing in my back yard. You can bet that the barbs on my mashed down before I tie them on to my leader
I try to pinch barbs on nearly every fly/lure I own. I think the difference in the number of fish you don't land is so minimal it makes no difference.
I also like that I can generally release fish without touching them if I so desire. If I know I'll be keeping fish for dinner, there is a very low chance I won't pinch barbs, but 99% of the time I do.
And like mentioned in this article, a barbless hook is much, much easier to get out of your hand than one with barbs.
I onetime had the "pleasure" of pulling a size 14 Yellow Stimulator from the bridge of a fishing companion's nose. Needless to say the hook was barbed, and it took a couple tries using 7" forceps to get the hook extracted. The final violent jerk got it free though...
I rarely use barbless hooks outside of fly fishing, but I do pinch down most of my barbs a little. They still have a little of their staying power, but come out more easily, allowing less blood from me and the fish. The faster I can release them the better.
realy not worth it becase its easier for the fish to get away + use common sense: don't get pricked
realy not worth it becase its easier for the fish to get away + use common sense: don't get pricked
Post a Comment
I do this as a practice when fishing from the kayak. I will also replace the rear treble with a single siwash.
I have evn gone so far as to remove the front trebles and just fish with the single tail hook. This is primarily when fishing for blues.
I'm with you! I bend down all my barbs since I started fishing out of a pontoon raft and landing the fish between my legs. No Barbs Allowed! I can't imagine how fun it would be to have a northern on one end and a hook buried in your inner thigh on the other. Gives me the shivers just thinking about it.
Since I earned a boat I still do it out of habit. Don't seem to lose any more fish and they don't tangle near as bad in nets, carpet, flesh, etc. I also lose the middle treble and replace the rear with a single on baits like the Husky Jerk. I have found the Octupus hooks work a bit better than the Siwash. Check it out.
"Barbless hooks are worthless". That's something someone I knew once said, but in all actuality, they are good for shallow water fishing, and some deep water fishing without current. Stripers are often caught with barbed hooks because they fight and shake hard, but trout in deep pools aren't likely candidates, even though some lake trout can be fished six months after they are spawning. I would stick with what works best, and wear some gloves if you are "scared".
The whole province of Alberta is barbless by law. I'll never forget the first fish I caught barbless, how easy and pain free, for both me and the fish, it was to unhook and release.
I'll have to give this a shot. I've never used barbless hooks.
Growing up in Pennsylvania, I first encountered barbless hooks in trout regs, where they were listed with other measures for special waters. Since lots of the other regs seemed to me (an avowed worm-washer) to be aimed at limiting fisherman productivity, I assumed barbless hooks were in the same basket.
I myself believe it is a good idea but this is somewhat hypocrytical seeing as my largest musky I cuaght was only due to a sharp rapala treble in the side of his mouth while stripe bass fishing.
On the White River where I fish, we have Catch and Release areas where barbless are the norm. Haven't lost too many fish because of that. I might pinch down all my barbs now.
I'll give it a try, especially the lures in my kid's tacklebox.
It definitely would be more safe but I think, that even though you think you do not loose fish, I think the barb would cause less fish to be caught. That barb creates a special feel when a fish bites on... allowing fishermen to set the hook. Without a barb, sounds like it would delay the reaction time and allow the fish to let go before anyone will be able to set the hook.
I agree with jbird. About every 5 casts my seven year makes results in a close call and a reminder to look before you back cast. I have also started learning to cast flies, and have managed to "whip" myself several times in the head and neck while practicing in my back yard. You can bet that the barbs on my mashed down before I tie them on to my leader
I try to pinch barbs on nearly every fly/lure I own. I think the difference in the number of fish you don't land is so minimal it makes no difference.
I also like that I can generally release fish without touching them if I so desire. If I know I'll be keeping fish for dinner, there is a very low chance I won't pinch barbs, but 99% of the time I do.
And like mentioned in this article, a barbless hook is much, much easier to get out of your hand than one with barbs.
I onetime had the "pleasure" of pulling a size 14 Yellow Stimulator from the bridge of a fishing companion's nose. Needless to say the hook was barbed, and it took a couple tries using 7" forceps to get the hook extracted. The final violent jerk got it free though...
I rarely use barbless hooks outside of fly fishing, but I do pinch down most of my barbs a little. They still have a little of their staying power, but come out more easily, allowing less blood from me and the fish. The faster I can release them the better.
realy not worth it becase its easier for the fish to get away + use common sense: don't get pricked
realy not worth it becase its easier for the fish to get away + use common sense: don't get pricked
Post a Comment