Reducing barb size

[Tucson]

Has anyone tried reducing the size of the barb on a spinner bait?  The one's I have seem to be larger than necessary making it difficult to release the fish.  Unfortunately, due to the design of this lure changing the hook is not an option.

[farmpond1]

I've never seen such a thing but it's not a bad idea.  I agree, the barbs on (most) baits are too large.

[Crestliner2008]

Why not crimp them down? Now you are going to tell me about how you'll loose soooo many fish doing that.

I crimp down the barb on all my hooks with the exception of the DS. Loose very few fish. And so what if I do loose an occaisional fish? Is it all THAT important?

[J Francho]

Is it all THAT important?

Maybe.  If there is money on the line.  

[Tucson]

Thanks for the input.  Crestliner:  I'm going to try filing one down and see what happens.  I don't necessarily want to eliminate the barb, just reduce it about 50%.  I'll let you all know how it goes.

[Wayne P.]

JF, that large barb on that large hook may account for more lost fish than the same hook without a barb due to lack of hook penetration.

[J Francho]

No, that's why you lose fish.  That's why I set the hook, LOL.  I rarely lose spinnerbait fish.  But if it makes you more confident, bend and file away.

[roadwarrior]

I can buy the story that better fisherman can fish barbless and not lose manyy or even any fish, but I cannot see the logic behind a barbed hook reducing hook-up or landing percentages.

It don't make "no cents" to me...

8-)