Bending the barb

[Davis]

I agree Johnny - a large part of the fun for me is actually holding the fish by her lower lip and taking a close-up look while trying hard to resist the strong urge to kiss her ;D . Weird? Maybe a little...

Same.

[howitt]

Its law here where I live in Manitoba,Canada that all barbs be pinched. I've found that you do tend to lose a lot of bass on jumps where there is more of a chance for your line to go slack. I don't go barbless when I have a choice. It may be easier to remove a hook but its not hard to cut one if its too hard to get out. Barbless isn't so bad if the hook is in your thumb though

[Blackdog]

Bending down the barb on regular hooks is a good method to reduce damage to the fish. I have found 'circle hooks' give you the same benefit, yet hook well and easily. Circle hooks almost always hook the jaw and are easy to remove.

Do rememebr that smallmouths do not behave like some other fish when boated. I use special gripper pliers (plastic) to hold them if needed (generally use needlenose at boatside to remove the hook) to secure them to take a photo.  A hook in the hand with a strong little fish thrashing will ruin your whole.... week!  Leave the manual hook removal by professionals in video clips to the pros i there is any doubt.

[Other.]

Every now and then I will bend the barb on hooks. I really only do this on creeks just for a little fun. Most of the bass in the creeks I fish most likly never seen a lure before. If I loose them on a barbless hook I just cast back out and they will bite it again. One of the many fun parts on fishing creeks.

[NBR]

I have pinched the barbs down on everything fcr over 25 years and I don't see much difference in landed to lost ratio whether they jump or not. When fishing with guys who don't pinch down the barbs I don't lose any more than they do and the hooks are easier to get out of me, parts of the boat, clothing and the fish.

[bassdocktor]

I personally leave them. I've lost a few nicer fish with the barb bent down. So from then on I decided to always keep the barb.

[Tokyo Tony]

Ahh, memories.  This was the first thread I started when I joined.  I didn't post this just to reminisce, but to add some insight I've gained over the winter...

I've been trout fishing every weekend this winter in a stream in CT, and in some areas, it's catch and release only, so you have to bend the barbs down to fish in those areas.

I have learned that with single hook lures, barb/no barb makes no noticeable difference for trout.  However, most of the trout I catch do not jump.  I think going barbless for feisty smallies will result in more lost fish.

As for treble hook lures, when I pinch the barbs, I have noticed beyond any doubt that I've lost more trout without the barbs, and they don't even jump.  That means that you will lose more smallies if you bend the barbs on treble lures, and I'd be willing to bet big $ on that.

Lastly, removing barbless hooks from fish is exponentially easier and quicker than removing a barbed hook, and it definitely harms the fish less, especially trout.  Smallies are more resilient than trout, so I really don't think removing a barbed hook will damage a bass noticeably less, unless the fish is hooked in a tough spot.

$0.03

[Cory20]

Mike D from Lunkville lands a bigger fish than should be in central park and speaks with Doug Hannon about 3/4 of the way through.  One question Mike brings up is mashing the barb.  Follow this link and hear it from the Bass Professor's mouth.

http://www.rockville.tv/lunkerville/episode5cp.html

[the old fishing pond]

I use needle nosed pliers.  I've been stuck in my own lip and was very happy it was barbless!

[Mike D from Lunkerville]

we did that interview with doug quite some time ago; when doug was working with ugly ducking lures... at the time i had never heard of the idea of mashing the barb to get better hook ups, but doug makes a lot of sense... in central park, it's required so to protect the fish and make for an easy release... and i have to say that i've landed most of the fish at CP without the barb

[NBR]

This is one of those debates that goes on forever. Those of us who bend the barb down are sure we are right and those who don't are also sure they are right and except for those waters where the barb must be pinched both are right.

[Kenora]

With respect to using a barbed hook, you will lose a few more fish whether they jump or not.  But to say that a barbed hook does not inflict more damage is silly.  Would you rather have an injection with a needle or knitting needle?    It is a matter of diameter.  The benefits of barbless hooks is especially noticeable when a fish is gut hooked.  To me the conservation upside for barbless far transcends a few lost fish, the thrill of a jump or any other consideration.  I guide a 100+ days a year in addition to my own fishing.  I can say that the number of fish caught and lost by barbless hooks is far less than the damage leading to death that is caused by barbed hooks.

[roadwarrior]

Welcome aboard!

8-)

[Tokyo Tony]

So Kenora, you have all your clients bend the barbs down?  Especially with novice clients, I would think that there would be a significant drop in the number of fish landed if you have them bend the barb down...

P.S.  

[Kenora]

Thanks for the welcome fellas.  I have visited the forum so many times, so I decided to join in.  As far as babless for more novice level fishermen, I think that barbless is more important than ever.  I find that many more fish are deep or gut hooked by novices, in particularly with non-reaction type presentations.  I find that using Senko type baits, flukes or worms that many new to the sport cannot always feel pick-ups and strikes and therefore set the hook too late.  do they lose some - undoubtedly.  End of the world - no, let's just find another.  Are I/we/they disapp;pointed if they lose a fish?  Of course.  But there are always more.  We can be happy that we figured out where the fish was,  picked the right lure and presentation and enjoyed the fight right up to the end, even if it was a little premature.

[Tokyo Tony]

As far as babless for more novice level fishermen, I think that barbless is more important than ever. I find that many more fish are deep or gut hooked by novices, in particularly with non-reaction type presentations. I find that using Senko type baits, flukes or worms that many new to the sport cannot always feel pick-ups and strikes and therefore set the hook too late.

Good point  

[Del from philly]

what about meeting halfway and bending them halfway back?

honestly, thats about as much as i would do....

i do know it makes a difference, anyone who knows the "crunch" knows its different.....still not my thing

[Del from philly]

whats next? reeling in slowly so the fish doesnt have to swim at an uncomfotable speed???

Dont take the picture of the bass because we dont have its approval? maybe it beleives pictures steal your soul?

[Kenora]

The matter is not a joking type of thing.  It is not only about the survival  (more fish tomorrow) of many a fine trophy, but also has to do with the image we create amongst non-anglers.  And believe me this is becoming a more important issue with each passing year. I think we all owe to each other and to the fish we catch to give them the best shot at survival.  Fish released alive and in good condition means more fish tomorrow.  Smallmouth, perhaps more than any other freshwater fish need our help.  The agressivenesss which make them superb sport fish also puts them at risk.

[MNGeorge]

I have never flattened the barbs on any hooks and likely won't start doing so any time soon.  As for the image we portray to non fisher people, they do not approve of fishing period and using barbless hooks is not going to change their attitude one iota.  As for protecting the Smallies for future enjoyment, I think the few fish that may fall victim to a barbed hook are far far outnumbered by the fish that get taken home for dinner.  I also think we may not be giving the Smallies enough credit when it comes to their ability to survive some pretty severe injuries.  Our stretch of the upper Mississippi has a slot limit on Smallies that requires all fish from 12" to 20" be immediately released.

By mid to late summer, it is not at all unusual to catch many Smallies that show obvious scars from previous trips to the boat.  Injuries range from one bad eye to half their mouth missing, yet they are healthy in every other respect and are still able to run down a crankbait or a buzzer and give a good accounting of themselves.  Just my $.02 worth.

[Phishin Fillip]

I have never bent mine down but after reading this post it seems to be the thing to do.  Thanks for starting it.