Barbless Discussion From A New Member

[Barbless]

Greetings from a barbless hook fisherman. I was converted when I traveled to Yellowstone Park. The use of barbless hooks is mandatory but none of the bait and fly shops sold them. They sold barbed tackle and LOTS of pliers to crimp down the barb. This always leaves a jagged edge and compromises the strength of the hook. After checking I realized that there were no barbless lure/hook suppliers so I created my own and opened www.ouchlesslures.com. I believe that the number of barbless fisheries will continue to expand.

I'd like to hear your feedback on the use of barbless and if there is anything you feel Ouchless Lures should carry.

[jdmidwest]

Another shameless plug? I hate barbless hooks, it is too hard to snag fish with them.

[Barbless]

That's great. Hey,I wasn't trying to sell you viagra, just sharing a new site dedicated to barbless tackle.

[jdmidwest]

In that case, welcome, you are not a spammer.

Barbless hooks are great for catch and release. I have been using Orvis barbless hooks for years. And I pinch barbed hooks down too, because, for the most part, I practice Catch and Release. Even if I am keeping, the barb does not seem to make a difference, I still land the fish, with or without the barb.

[Danoinark]

Another shameless plug? I hate barbless hooks, it is too hard to snag fish with them.

I like to use barbless hooks primarily for the simple reason as not to be caught by the "man" and fined heavily for use in a restricted area despite the fact I have "pinched" them flat.

As to whether there is a higher mortality rate with released fish I don't think so, or that has not been the case from my experience.

Dano

ps...welcome to the forum.

[laker67]

I converted to all barbless after having to rip a barbed #12 out of the palm of my hand for the second time in as many years. Both times occurred at night, and both times I had to use hemostats to rip out hook and flesh.

[Chief Grey Bear]

If you would quit fishing at night, you wouldn't have to worry about it.

Plus, trout need a resting period. After being chased around all day and all the stress caused by using 7x tippets, they need a time to recoup all of that energy lost. You know, trout are any extremly fagile resource that needs all the extra protection we can give them.

[laker67]

If you would quit fishing at night, you wouldn't have to worry about it.

Plus, trout need a resting period. After being chased around all day and all the stress caused by using 7x tippets, they need a time to recoup all of that energy lost. You know, trout are any extremly fagile resource that needs all the extra protection we can give them.

That's exactly what I was thinking at the moment the hook buried up to the bend.

[Terry Beeson]

First, welcome to the forum...

Second, I think there is a demand for barbless hooks that the major hook manufacturers and distributors are missing. Among fly tiers, I'd like to know the percentage of hooks used that have the barb "smashed" before fishing. The first step I take in tying a fly is to pinch the barb down before I put it in the vise.

Those hooks you are using for your flies are pretty neat and interesting.

[Robert]

I'm going to fishing for Atlantic Salmon and Brook Trout in Newfoundland. Barbless is the law up there. It is really difficult to get high quality barbless hooks. I think but not sure that Mustad sells barbless hooks. I just checked, but my catalog is a 2006 version. I just did a check and Gamakatsu has a line of Barbless hooks.