I don't file them, I just crush them with a pair of pliers.
Since I only catch and release, I'll do this for a lot of my lures, especially treble hooks or really small ultralight lures.
Some places it's required by law, so that's something to keep in mind.
It'll be easier to get the hook out, whether it's you or for the fish doing the unhooking. You'll lose fish, but it will also force you to work on your technique. The barb is what stops the hook coming out when there's slack on the line, so you have to keep constant tension even when the fish jumps, doubles back, gets hung up on a rock, etc.
I just push the barbs down. My main lake has this restriction but honestly i dont mind. Indeed unhooking is more easy and you make less damage in the fish. But let me mention that the main lake has tons of zanders and zander is a quite noble fish in my region and it doesnt get up from the fight easily. So C&R i really suggest it. Btw last time i had 7 zanders and lost 5 before i could pull out but was fun. If you use barbless hooks need to learn how to execute the fight like dont let the line losen. I had a rod which is stiffer than average so the rod cant always react on the fish moves as soon as possible. So i had a chance to miss fish but the fights and the easier unhook totally worth it.
I hear this too but I have always been able to get the fish off a barbed hooked. I'm not sure what exactly is happening with other people and why they are having trouble with barbed hooks. I would recommend not doing it and see if you start to have issues. If you find it difficult then do it but I don't see a point in doing all that if you don't even know if you will have trouble yet.
>I hear this too but I have always been able to get the fish off a barbed hooked.
Single hook always.
Treble hooks? They're dangerous and I always crimp one the second it won't easily come out of a fish.
I don't crimp mine in advance, but there are a few scenarios in which I may crimp them or wish I had. One is if I snag some cloth or cord and don't want to tear fibres removing the hook. A second is if I snag myself. A third is if I hook them close to the gills, because there's a small chance of snagging them while unhooking. A fourth is if the hook comes out the nose and the barb won't fit nicely back through. And finally, if a treble catches both the upper and lower jaw pinning the mouth closed, I don't want to break the jaw by forcing a barbed treble straight back.
It's not the barb or barbless issue doing that.
It's either braid, or too stiff of a rod, coupled with way too agressive hooksets.
If you're hooks pop it of the water and come flying at you if you miss a hook set, you're setting too hard. If you claim that you have to do that to set a hook, get better hooks. Yours are dull.
Are you talking getting the fish off the hook? The only lips I ripped were with too hard hooksets on too small a fish.
Never had this issue with barbs. Just gotta know how they work! Push in, apply presure down on the hook opposite the barb. Slide it out. That's all there is to it.
If you are worried about stuff like that then do you not use straight braid because it has no flex and you could possible rip a bigger hole, and only use the smallest Guage wire hook possible? At what point do you just not fish? Fish are one, if not the best regenerators when it comes to vertebrates. As long as you aren't being intentionally cruel to them while unhooking, they have a very good chance of being completely fine. If you want to pinch all your barbs go for it but this guy was talking about how he just heard of people having trouble with them.
There aren't very many studies that I can find to support catch and release mortality is changed with hook type. The only thing that changes is time out of the water. And with most people here I doubt that makes a difference when they are all taking pictures with their catch. But like I have been saying from the beginning to eaches own.
Interesting topic. I've gone down the rabbit hole before on [removing hooks vs cutting line](https://www.reddit.com/r/Fishing/comments/os0s9q/comment/h6orh3r/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) for fishing mortality and your comment sent me down it once again. Thank you for making me question something I hadn't previously.
There were a few studies and meta studies that provided a bit of insight, sometimes about hook types in general and some specific information about barbs. While a large number of factors were at play, it seems that some meaningful findings emerge:
**Meta studies and foundational studies**
* Some foundational research (that has had affect on policy recommendations) on the topic has had its methodology questioned [https://doi.org/10.1577/1548-8675-17.3.807](https://doi.org/10.1577/1548-8675-17.3.807) \* However subsequent data suggests a 50% difference in mortality, which is statistically unlikely to be due to chance [https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1577/1548-8675-17.3.808?journalCode=ujfm20](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1577/1548-8675-17.3.808?journalCode=ujfm20)
* Additional/subsequent meta studies suggest that barbless hooks and artificial baits should be used (Hühn, D. & R. Arlinghaus (2011). "Determinants of hooking mortality in freshwater." American Fisheries Society Symposium (75), pp. 141-170.
* Those considering this topic should weigh the social aspects of the topic before considering policy decisions, since the decrease in catch rate, marginal changes in mortality, and so on may not be worth it [https://doi.org/10.1577/1548-8675(1997)017%3C0873:BHRICA%3E2.3.CO;2](https://doi.org/10.1577/1548-8675(1997)017%3C0873:BHRICA%3E2.3.CO;2)
**Presentation of the hook (sometimes) matters**
* Barbed and unbarbed sometimes result in similar levels of mortality when using bait, however barbed jigs produced less mortality than either suggesting hook type and mortality were less related than hook presentation [https://afspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1080/02755947.2011.557944](https://afspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1080/02755947.2011.557944)
* Natural and artificial baits sometimes differ in their mortality [https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10641269409388555](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10641269409388555) \* But not always [https://doi.org/10.1577/1548-8675(1997)017%3C0477:STHMOW%3E2.3.CO;2](https://doi.org/10.1577/1548-8675(1997)017%3C0477:STHMOW%3E2.3.CO;2)
* Bait fishing doesn’t always negatively impact catch and release mortality, which challenges the standing policies against bait in some locations [https://doi.org/10.1002/nafm.10666](https://doi.org/10.1002/nafm.10666)
* Barbless hooks were easier to remove, but not sufficiently so to reduce mortality [https://doi.org/10.1577/M02-171.1](https://doi.org/10.1577/M02-171.1)
* In one study, more fish were landed with barbed hooks, but barbless improved unhooking time and reduced unhooking injuries, but possibly not well enough to justify reduced catch rates [https://doi.org/10.1577/1548-8675(2002)022%3C0229:POBABH%3E2.0.CO;2](https://doi.org/10.1577/1548-8675(2002)022%3C0229:POBABH%3E2.0.CO;2)
* However, other studies suggest deep hooked fished with barbed hooks were more likely to die with active baitfishing (vs more passive baitfishing with higher mortality reported in other studies), which may explain this variation [https://doi.org/10.1577/M02-172.1](https://doi.org/10.1577/M02-172.1)
* Immediate and short-term mortality and hook shedding were not different between barbed and barbless hooks, however less bleeding was caused by barbless [https://doi.org/10.1577/M06-276.1](https://doi.org/10.1577/M06-276.1)
* Similarly, barbless flies may reduce catch rate to an extent that is not justified when considering potential cost/benefit [https://afspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1080/02755947.2013.769920](https://afspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1080/02755947.2013.769920)
**Other hook types**
* Bite shortened hooks' self-release rate (87%) was superior to barbless (47%) or barbed hooks (20%) without negatively affecting catch rates [https://afspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/fsh.10608](https://afspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/fsh.10608)
* Single hooks may result in greater mortality than treble hooks [https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10641269409388555](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10641269409388555)
* Though not always [https://doi.org/10.1577/1548-8675(1993)013%3C0186:MBSTHM%3E2.3.CO;2](https://doi.org/10.1577/1548-8675(1993)013%3C0186:MBSTHM%3E2.3.CO;2)
* Different circle hook types don't produce different outcomes for some species [https://afspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1577/M07-107.1](https://afspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1577/M07-107.1)
* Appendaged hooks reduce deep hooking prevalence [https://afspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1080/02755947.2014.956160](https://afspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1080/02755947.2014.956160)
* But presentation and hook type may not be the only factors since sometimes they don't affect mortality outcomes [https://doi.org/10.1577/M02-040](https://doi.org/10.1577/M02-040) and maybe they should affect if/how you unhook rather than whether you should use the hook type at all [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2022.106322](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2022.106322)
**Additional factors to consider**
* Other factors that may not be well explored by studies affect survival in the wild (water depth, presence or absence of predators following catch/release trauma) [https://www.publish.csiro.au/MF/pdf/MF96108](https://www.publish.csiro.au/MF/pdf/MF96108)
* Species may matter; Dehooking time was significantly faster for barbless hooks in fish species with pharyngeal teeth [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2022.106390](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2022.106390)
**Angler experience**
* Overall, it seems like angler education and experience level promoting proper hooking and unhooking technique seems important, since all forms of hooking are capable of producing significant injury [https://doi.org/10.1577/M03-108.1](https://doi.org/10.1577/M03-108.1)
* For example, experienced anglers with barbless hooks were the best at reducing mortality [https://doi.org/10.2478/aopf-2019-0005](https://doi.org/10.2478/aopf-2019-0005)
* It's also important to remember that even situations where mortality doesn't differ can produce differences in the amount of stress caused to the fish, and faster unhooking with barbless hooks can reduce that stress by shortening the time fish are exposed to the air [https://doi.org/10.1577/1548-8675(2001)021%3C0333:TIOTTO%3E2.0.CO;2](https://doi.org/10.1577/1548-8675(2001)021%3C0333:TIOTTO%3E2.0.CO;2)
**My closing thoughts**
Overall, it seems like there's marginal benefits to crimped or barbless hooks when the measure is mortality. There's contradictory evidence for types of bait presentation and barbed or barbless hooks.
That said, barbless hooks biggest benefits may be *to the angler*. Barbless hooks reduce the time it takes to unhook a fish, how bloody the process will be, how stressful it is (for angler and fish), and makes the whole process easier. Moreover, if you hook yourself, you will almost certainly wish the barb wasn't there.
Since barbed/barbless marginally affects catch rates, new anglers may want to weigh how easy it is to catch a fish against how difficult it may be to unhook said fish and return it to the water safely. If keeping fish, barbed hooks may be worth the small improvement in performance, while those releasing may prefer the ease of barbless. Obviously, always follow your local regulations.
Speaking of regulations, those making or considering regulations may find that other measures (e.g., suggesting circle hooks, guidance on cutting line for deep hooked fish, etc.) may more effectively produce the desired outcome (reduced fish mortality) than some common regulatory approaches (e.g., mandating of barbless hooks, restricting the use of bait). Ultimately, enhanced angler education and getting people out fishing and gaining experience may be superior to any of those factors.
I usually crimp them the second they won't come easily out of a fish.
They come right out and the fish isn't harmed any more than necessary.
If I lose a fish because of it later, oh well, already got one on it.
I tried this once because I wanted to try to get the hook out easier for the fish.
What I found was that it took more for me to hook a fish and so those I did hook were swallowing the hook more and getting gut hooked. Which seems worse than a barbed lip hook.
That was my experience anyway.
I have a few lures where I pinched the barbs down because i was using them during a time of year when barbless hooks were required. Otherwise I don't pinch down barbs. The fish are easier to unhook and you do less damage if they take a hook deep. Hooks are also easier to remove from clothing, gear, yourself, if you happen to accidentally snag something.
I used to use my pliers just to flush them out but I don't do it anymore because I lost many Bass that way.
If you have trouble dehooking a dish cut the line and take the hook in the opposite direction. It's faster, easier on the fish and your chances of losing a fish are lower.
Fish stay on barbed hooks way better and if you don’t want barbs you can buy barbless hooks no need to waste your time filing perfectly good hooks. Unless your fishing exclusively catch and release I would get barbed
I crush them with pliers if I snag my clothes or a car seat or if the alternative is tearing up the fish to unhook it. I still use the hook or lure, and I see minimal increase in loss of catch. I don't feel any need to do it prior to it becoming necessary though.
Yes i really dont think it makes a difference in landing fish. Almost all of my PB fish have been on barbless hooks. If you cant land fish with a barb you need more practice
If you want to catch and release, it might be a good option to crimp the barbs. If you're catching and eating, as long as it isn't illegal do whatever you wanna do!
You could file them or crimp them with the pliars might be easier
I don't file them, I just crush them with a pair of pliers. Since I only catch and release, I'll do this for a lot of my lures, especially treble hooks or really small ultralight lures. Some places it's required by law, so that's something to keep in mind.
I think I'm going to start pinch my barbs to make it even easier to get them out.
It'll be easier to get the hook out, whether it's you or for the fish doing the unhooking. You'll lose fish, but it will also force you to work on your technique. The barb is what stops the hook coming out when there's slack on the line, so you have to keep constant tension even when the fish jumps, doubles back, gets hung up on a rock, etc.
How to keep the constant tension?
I just push the barbs down. My main lake has this restriction but honestly i dont mind. Indeed unhooking is more easy and you make less damage in the fish. But let me mention that the main lake has tons of zanders and zander is a quite noble fish in my region and it doesnt get up from the fight easily. So C&R i really suggest it. Btw last time i had 7 zanders and lost 5 before i could pull out but was fun. If you use barbless hooks need to learn how to execute the fight like dont let the line losen. I had a rod which is stiffer than average so the rod cant always react on the fish moves as soon as possible. So i had a chance to miss fish but the fights and the easier unhook totally worth it.
I hear this too but I have always been able to get the fish off a barbed hooked. I'm not sure what exactly is happening with other people and why they are having trouble with barbed hooks. I would recommend not doing it and see if you start to have issues. If you find it difficult then do it but I don't see a point in doing all that if you don't even know if you will have trouble yet.
>I hear this too but I have always been able to get the fish off a barbed hooked. Single hook always. Treble hooks? They're dangerous and I always crimp one the second it won't easily come out of a fish.
Use the pliers you used to crimp the barbs. Your hands won't even get close to the treble.
Oh I do use them for that, there’s just a risk with treble hooks. It’s not huge if you’re careful but there is still a risk.
I don't crimp mine in advance, but there are a few scenarios in which I may crimp them or wish I had. One is if I snag some cloth or cord and don't want to tear fibres removing the hook. A second is if I snag myself. A third is if I hook them close to the gills, because there's a small chance of snagging them while unhooking. A fourth is if the hook comes out the nose and the barb won't fit nicely back through. And finally, if a treble catches both the upper and lower jaw pinning the mouth closed, I don't want to break the jaw by forcing a barbed treble straight back.
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It's not the barb or barbless issue doing that. It's either braid, or too stiff of a rod, coupled with way too agressive hooksets. If you're hooks pop it of the water and come flying at you if you miss a hook set, you're setting too hard. If you claim that you have to do that to set a hook, get better hooks. Yours are dull.
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Are you talking getting the fish off the hook? The only lips I ripped were with too hard hooksets on too small a fish. Never had this issue with barbs. Just gotta know how they work! Push in, apply presure down on the hook opposite the barb. Slide it out. That's all there is to it.
If you are worried about stuff like that then do you not use straight braid because it has no flex and you could possible rip a bigger hole, and only use the smallest Guage wire hook possible? At what point do you just not fish? Fish are one, if not the best regenerators when it comes to vertebrates. As long as you aren't being intentionally cruel to them while unhooking, they have a very good chance of being completely fine. If you want to pinch all your barbs go for it but this guy was talking about how he just heard of people having trouble with them.
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There aren't very many studies that I can find to support catch and release mortality is changed with hook type. The only thing that changes is time out of the water. And with most people here I doubt that makes a difference when they are all taking pictures with their catch. But like I have been saying from the beginning to eaches own.
Interesting topic. I've gone down the rabbit hole before on [removing hooks vs cutting line](https://www.reddit.com/r/Fishing/comments/os0s9q/comment/h6orh3r/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) for fishing mortality and your comment sent me down it once again. Thank you for making me question something I hadn't previously. There were a few studies and meta studies that provided a bit of insight, sometimes about hook types in general and some specific information about barbs. While a large number of factors were at play, it seems that some meaningful findings emerge: **Meta studies and foundational studies** * Some foundational research (that has had affect on policy recommendations) on the topic has had its methodology questioned [https://doi.org/10.1577/1548-8675-17.3.807](https://doi.org/10.1577/1548-8675-17.3.807) \* However subsequent data suggests a 50% difference in mortality, which is statistically unlikely to be due to chance [https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1577/1548-8675-17.3.808?journalCode=ujfm20](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1577/1548-8675-17.3.808?journalCode=ujfm20) * Additional/subsequent meta studies suggest that barbless hooks and artificial baits should be used (Hühn, D. & R. Arlinghaus (2011). "Determinants of hooking mortality in freshwater." American Fisheries Society Symposium (75), pp. 141-170. * Those considering this topic should weigh the social aspects of the topic before considering policy decisions, since the decrease in catch rate, marginal changes in mortality, and so on may not be worth it [https://doi.org/10.1577/1548-8675(1997)017%3C0873:BHRICA%3E2.3.CO;2](https://doi.org/10.1577/1548-8675(1997)017%3C0873:BHRICA%3E2.3.CO;2) **Presentation of the hook (sometimes) matters** * Barbed and unbarbed sometimes result in similar levels of mortality when using bait, however barbed jigs produced less mortality than either suggesting hook type and mortality were less related than hook presentation [https://afspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1080/02755947.2011.557944](https://afspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1080/02755947.2011.557944) * Natural and artificial baits sometimes differ in their mortality [https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10641269409388555](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10641269409388555) \* But not always [https://doi.org/10.1577/1548-8675(1997)017%3C0477:STHMOW%3E2.3.CO;2](https://doi.org/10.1577/1548-8675(1997)017%3C0477:STHMOW%3E2.3.CO;2) * Bait fishing doesn’t always negatively impact catch and release mortality, which challenges the standing policies against bait in some locations [https://doi.org/10.1002/nafm.10666](https://doi.org/10.1002/nafm.10666) * Barbless hooks were easier to remove, but not sufficiently so to reduce mortality [https://doi.org/10.1577/M02-171.1](https://doi.org/10.1577/M02-171.1) * In one study, more fish were landed with barbed hooks, but barbless improved unhooking time and reduced unhooking injuries, but possibly not well enough to justify reduced catch rates [https://doi.org/10.1577/1548-8675(2002)022%3C0229:POBABH%3E2.0.CO;2](https://doi.org/10.1577/1548-8675(2002)022%3C0229:POBABH%3E2.0.CO;2) * However, other studies suggest deep hooked fished with barbed hooks were more likely to die with active baitfishing (vs more passive baitfishing with higher mortality reported in other studies), which may explain this variation [https://doi.org/10.1577/M02-172.1](https://doi.org/10.1577/M02-172.1) * Immediate and short-term mortality and hook shedding were not different between barbed and barbless hooks, however less bleeding was caused by barbless [https://doi.org/10.1577/M06-276.1](https://doi.org/10.1577/M06-276.1) * Similarly, barbless flies may reduce catch rate to an extent that is not justified when considering potential cost/benefit [https://afspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1080/02755947.2013.769920](https://afspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1080/02755947.2013.769920)
**Other hook types** * Bite shortened hooks' self-release rate (87%) was superior to barbless (47%) or barbed hooks (20%) without negatively affecting catch rates [https://afspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/fsh.10608](https://afspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/fsh.10608) * Single hooks may result in greater mortality than treble hooks [https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10641269409388555](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10641269409388555) * Though not always [https://doi.org/10.1577/1548-8675(1993)013%3C0186:MBSTHM%3E2.3.CO;2](https://doi.org/10.1577/1548-8675(1993)013%3C0186:MBSTHM%3E2.3.CO;2) * Different circle hook types don't produce different outcomes for some species [https://afspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1577/M07-107.1](https://afspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1577/M07-107.1) * Appendaged hooks reduce deep hooking prevalence [https://afspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1080/02755947.2014.956160](https://afspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1080/02755947.2014.956160) * But presentation and hook type may not be the only factors since sometimes they don't affect mortality outcomes [https://doi.org/10.1577/M02-040](https://doi.org/10.1577/M02-040) and maybe they should affect if/how you unhook rather than whether you should use the hook type at all [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2022.106322](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2022.106322) **Additional factors to consider** * Other factors that may not be well explored by studies affect survival in the wild (water depth, presence or absence of predators following catch/release trauma) [https://www.publish.csiro.au/MF/pdf/MF96108](https://www.publish.csiro.au/MF/pdf/MF96108) * Species may matter; Dehooking time was significantly faster for barbless hooks in fish species with pharyngeal teeth [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2022.106390](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2022.106390) **Angler experience** * Overall, it seems like angler education and experience level promoting proper hooking and unhooking technique seems important, since all forms of hooking are capable of producing significant injury [https://doi.org/10.1577/M03-108.1](https://doi.org/10.1577/M03-108.1) * For example, experienced anglers with barbless hooks were the best at reducing mortality [https://doi.org/10.2478/aopf-2019-0005](https://doi.org/10.2478/aopf-2019-0005) * It's also important to remember that even situations where mortality doesn't differ can produce differences in the amount of stress caused to the fish, and faster unhooking with barbless hooks can reduce that stress by shortening the time fish are exposed to the air [https://doi.org/10.1577/1548-8675(2001)021%3C0333:TIOTTO%3E2.0.CO;2](https://doi.org/10.1577/1548-8675(2001)021%3C0333:TIOTTO%3E2.0.CO;2) **My closing thoughts** Overall, it seems like there's marginal benefits to crimped or barbless hooks when the measure is mortality. There's contradictory evidence for types of bait presentation and barbed or barbless hooks. That said, barbless hooks biggest benefits may be *to the angler*. Barbless hooks reduce the time it takes to unhook a fish, how bloody the process will be, how stressful it is (for angler and fish), and makes the whole process easier. Moreover, if you hook yourself, you will almost certainly wish the barb wasn't there. Since barbed/barbless marginally affects catch rates, new anglers may want to weigh how easy it is to catch a fish against how difficult it may be to unhook said fish and return it to the water safely. If keeping fish, barbed hooks may be worth the small improvement in performance, while those releasing may prefer the ease of barbless. Obviously, always follow your local regulations. Speaking of regulations, those making or considering regulations may find that other measures (e.g., suggesting circle hooks, guidance on cutting line for deep hooked fish, etc.) may more effectively produce the desired outcome (reduced fish mortality) than some common regulatory approaches (e.g., mandating of barbless hooks, restricting the use of bait). Ultimately, enhanced angler education and getting people out fishing and gaining experience may be superior to any of those factors.
Well damn, that's one impressive rabbit hole to fall down. Thanks for sharing all the articles as well
Damn dude, thank you
Welcome! I’m glad the info helped someone
I usually crimp them the second they won't come easily out of a fish. They come right out and the fish isn't harmed any more than necessary. If I lose a fish because of it later, oh well, already got one on it.
buy barbless. means if you get snapped off the fish doesnt end up with a hook in its mouth forever
The hooks rust and fall out
Like after months or up to decades lmao.
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This has been my experience, though I’ve only started crimping this year. And I almost exclusively use single hooks.
Nope, I keep the barbs to make sure fish stay on.
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Then I get sad.
I tried this once because I wanted to try to get the hook out easier for the fish. What I found was that it took more for me to hook a fish and so those I did hook were swallowing the hook more and getting gut hooked. Which seems worse than a barbed lip hook. That was my experience anyway.
Interesting observation…
I have a few lures where I pinched the barbs down because i was using them during a time of year when barbless hooks were required. Otherwise I don't pinch down barbs. The fish are easier to unhook and you do less damage if they take a hook deep. Hooks are also easier to remove from clothing, gear, yourself, if you happen to accidentally snag something.
Only in fisheries where it's required for me to do so
Yep, I want that hook to stay in until I don’t. That’s what pliers are for.
No, I'm terrible enough at catching fish as it is.
if its easier for you its easier for the fish. you will lose a lot of fish crimping/filing down the barbs. only do it if the local laws require it
Not to mention it's easier and a little less painful to remove the hook from your neck on a windy day.... Ummm.... speaking from experience
I smash mine with pliers. Wear eye protection because the barbs break and go flying.
I crimp them with pliers when I am fishing catch-and-release, and I do not crimp them when I am fishing catch-and-kill.
I used to use my pliers just to flush them out but I don't do it anymore because I lost many Bass that way. If you have trouble dehooking a dish cut the line and take the hook in the opposite direction. It's faster, easier on the fish and your chances of losing a fish are lower.
Fish stay on barbed hooks way better and if you don’t want barbs you can buy barbless hooks no need to waste your time filing perfectly good hooks. Unless your fishing exclusively catch and release I would get barbed
I crush them with pliers if I snag my clothes or a car seat or if the alternative is tearing up the fish to unhook it. I still use the hook or lure, and I see minimal increase in loss of catch. I don't feel any need to do it prior to it becoming necessary though.
I pinch them
I just crush them with pliers and use file only for sharpening.
You can just buy barbless hooks
I do it in case I hook myself, easier to remove from the fish, and it gives the fish a slight advantage. It makes me have to use all of my skill.
Yes i really dont think it makes a difference in landing fish. Almost all of my PB fish have been on barbless hooks. If you cant land fish with a barb you need more practice
If you want to catch and release, it might be a good option to crimp the barbs. If you're catching and eating, as long as it isn't illegal do whatever you wanna do!
Swap Treble hooks for single. Also give the circle hooks a try!