Barbless Trebles?

[Mccallister25]

Do any of you guys fish treble lures barbless? I'v gotten really big into fishing with a super spook jr. and sometimes its such a pain to get the trebles out of the fish's mouth.

If so are yall buying barbless replacements, or just crushing the pre existing barbs?

[Jrob78]

I don't use barbless hooks but if I did, I would just smash down the barbs.  No need to buy different hooks unless they need replacing anyway.

[aavery2]

I use treble hooks for a particular type of fishing where they are required to be barbless, we typically use pliers and squeeze them down.

[OkobojiEagle]

All of my barbs are filed away when the bait first is unpackaged... even trebles.

 

 

oe

[Mccallister25]

All of my barbs are filed away when the bait first is unpackaged... even trebles.

oe

So you dont think the SS jr. is too light to where it would be very easy for the fish to throw it if I crushed the barbs?

[OkobojiEagle]

So you dont think the SS jr. is too light to where it would be very easy for the fish to throw it if I crushed the barbs?

 

 

I find the bass throw the heavier baits more easily than the lighter baits.  If it will bother you to occasionally "short release" a bass I'd recommend you fish with the barbs, it will happen.  Long ago I stopped worrying about landing every bass I hooked.  Without barbs, playing the bass to hand becomes as challenging as getting them to bite.  I like the increased challenge and if pressed to put a number on it, I'd estimate I land 90% of the bass I hook.  A side benefit to fishing barbless is the ease of releasing the incidental musky or northern caught.

 

 

oe

[mikey5string]

I remove the tail treble hook from most crank baits.  IMO they are unnecessary and just damage fish more, get hung up on everything easier and can stick you good when trying to unhook an unruly fish,

 

The exception would be tournaments when losing a fish can cost you...literally. 

 

When I want to fish barbless, I'll just flatten the barb with pliers. 

[Avalonjohn44]

I remove the tail treble hook from most crank baits.  IMO they are unnecessary and just damage fish more, get hung up on everything easier and can stick you good when trying to unhook an unruly fish.

 

Very Interesting. I will experiment with this, I have noticed that lately that second hook seems to bury itself in the gills, eye or soft part... How much does it affect the action of the bait(s)?

[Mccallister25]

I went out tonight and threw my spook around a few times after crushing the barbs with needle nose pliers. I landed two bass around 2# a piece. They didnt throw the hooks, but they were also surprisingly easy to take out of the fishes mouths. I know Ill eventually probably have plenty of fish to throw my spook, but landing those two fish tonight gave me enough confidence to not regret losing the barbs.