Barbless hooks - Inflict more damage!?!

Biology · Post by **Biology** » Sat Oct 06, 2012 4:21 pm

Ever since "Catch-and-Release" became the popular trend of fly fishers, some individuals have touted the idea of a barbless hook. The advantage being that the fisher need not pinch down the barb. Contrary however to common logic, studies of hooked fish in Idaho and Oregon have confirmed that barbless hooks can actually inflict more damage to a fish than barbed hooks. Therefore, barbless dry fly hooks are less popular (or practical) than dry fly hooks with mini-barbs.

This is blurb for a barbless hook pattern... anyone know the logic? Doesn't look right to my eyes....

Cheers,
Andy

rrw35 · Post by **rrw35** » Sat Oct 06, 2012 7:25 pm

Never bothered de barbing my hooks.

Dont have a problem releasing fish at all.

Biology · Post by **Biology** » Sat Oct 06, 2012 7:33 pm

rrw35 wrote:Never bothered de barbing my hooks.

Dont have a problem releasing fish at all.

but how do barbless hooks inflict more damage?

How you doing Ryan - two weeks today and it's all over for another season.... Andy

rrw35 · Post by **rrw35** » Sat Oct 06, 2012 8:27 pm

I would say they do less damage as there should be no resistance when pulling the hook to release a fish.

I know mate. A few weeks left.........

We're going to have to start talking to the wife and kids again. :laugh: :laugh:

What's with the flat cap and cane rod in the blog.... :glare: :glare:

Creel, pipe and slippers next.. :laugh:

Paul Arden · Post by **Paul Arden** » Sat Oct 06, 2012 8:56 pm

Phew. I'm extremely anti-barbed. Simply hook yourself with both and see the results if removal. Sorry Ryan, but I have a real problem with what you've just said. Barbless hooks should be mandatory, barbs are there to hold bait and for those who can't play fish. Barbs cause immense damage to fish, I can see this, everyone can see this, if studies show otherwise then they must be out of their heads. Barbless hooks are mandatory on many rivers I fish. I've seen fish killed (and released) because the angler fishes barbed. How on Earth can barbed releases be good for the fish? Can you link to the survey please? These guys need questioning.

Thanks, Paul

Eagle Crest · Post by **Eagle Crest** » Sat Oct 06, 2012 9:19 pm

I ran the topic of barbless hooks causing more damage than barbed hooks through my bullshit meter, and it ends up somewhere around Monty Python.
I pinch the barbs on my hooks for the following reasons:

1) they come out of the net way easier
2) they come out of my clothes/gear way easier
3) they come out of my skin way easier
4) they come out of fish way easier

Which leads me to conclude that; my fish spend less time or no time out of the water (time spent out of the water is where I think the serious damage to fish occurs) and, if I hook a fish deep and it is difficult to remove, I cut my tippet and leave the fly. I feel that a barbless hook will extract itself much faster and the fish suffers less trauma and can heal faster. The same for fish that break me off.

Two weeks and season over! That sucks. My condolences. I catch the majority of my big fish in Nov/Dec and March/April.

rrw35 · Post by **rrw35** » Sat Oct 06, 2012 9:20 pm

With single barbed hooks, I tend to net a fish, use a pair of William Joseph Hemostats to grab the hook and extract it. Never seems to be a problem.

I'll concede that a barbless hook will extract with less effort, but i've never had a problem removing a barbed single quickly.

Only killed one fish this year, a salmon that had the fly right in the gill rakers and was pumping blood in the net and it didnt revive.

Didn't go to waste though, oven baked with a side salad and glass of wine.

JonnyB · Post by **JonnyB** » Sat Oct 06, 2012 9:21 pm

I have been given the theory that barbless hooks can come loose in the fishes mouth and as a result cause cuts and slices - hence more damage than the single hole from the barbed hook.
I have never really accepted the argument and prefer using barbless (they are not always too easy to find except on the net) or squeeze down the barbs.
Jon

Paul Arden · Post by **Paul Arden** » Sat Oct 06, 2012 9:28 pm

If they come out easier, which they do, then why fish them in the first place? Have you not learned to play fish yet? Are you worried that you may lose the "big one"? I mean Jesus Christ, Ryan, WTF are to saying? If I have to remove a barbed hook for a mate I let him know exactly what I think. Cunt will be one of the words I use. Maybe I don't know you that well but I think so.

Cheers, Paul

Paul Arden · Post by **Paul Arden** » Sat Oct 06, 2012 9:37 pm

In other words I'm releasing a fish the hard way and damaging him in the process, because my mate forgot or apparently doesn't debarb. I speak my mind in that situation. It may be the only time I do :p and yes he's a cunt for putting me in that situation. And not a good one.

Biology · Post by **Biology** » Sat Oct 06, 2012 10:21 pm

Sorry Paul, don't have a link. The text came from the following link, it struck me as weird that the blurb for a barbless pattern was saying BUY BARBED...

http://www.anglersportgroup.com/product....2ID=143

I foul hooked three trout this season. Dealing with that using barbless hooks was uncomfortable enough.

Cheers,
Andy

Paul Arden · Post by **Paul Arden** » Sat Oct 06, 2012 11:35 pm

It's not just common logic but experience. I'll write to them in the morning.

Cheers, Paul

Rich Knoles · Post by **Rich Knoles** » Sun Oct 07, 2012 2:09 am

Oregon requires barbless hooks on some of their rivers. The text in the ad is incorrect.
This study seems to be of interest.
Link

Will · Post by **Will** » Sun Oct 07, 2012 8:55 am

I have read something to the effect that people think barbless hooks penetrate more deeply and (for some unknown reason) move around more in the fishes mouth. I've heard carp anglers complain about the same thing.

It'd be good to see the study and understand what fish and what hooks were used.

I always debarb.

W.

ennio · Post by **ennio** » Sun Oct 07, 2012 11:07 am

The link posted doesn't work for me Rich. It is to a secure website, and my browser displays '404 not found'

Andrew

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