Fish Are More Harmed By............

[Mitch f]

Every angler who is passionate about fishing has their own version of what is harmful to fish. Some fish barbless, some don't fish with live bait, and some don't fish for bass anywhere near the spawn. Here is a list of some potentially bad things; Excluding environmental factors, In your opinion which ones are the most harmful to fish.

1. Live bait

2. Soft Plastics

3. Barbed Hooks

4. Fishing During the Spawn

5. Fishing a fish to exhaustion during summer with light line

6. Mishandling of fish after being caught

[Chief Grey Bear]

I take it you are speaking of trout???

[Mitch f]

I take it you are speaking of trout???

or bass

[Chief Grey Bear]

I only asked because I didn't see other bass baits like spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, or crankbaits. And I don't know personally any bass fisherman that fishes barbless. But, I understand they will all now come out of the wood work. But I counter by saying, I still don't know you personally.

But to break down the choices offered, 1-3 are equipment and 4-6 are human.

And with that, you will always have to pick human. Without human interaction, there would not be any way to harm the fish.

[G-ROD]

I'm gonna go with #6..All to often a fish is kept out of the water too long being looked at, photographed etc..

[mic]

I think you forgot the number one threat "for trout"...illegal harvesting. When you say live bait, I assume you mean minnows. I catch and release with worms all the time. I do great high sticking trout with worms (were legal). Since I'm feeling for the bite, I almost always get hook sets in the corner of the mouth. In the rare occasions were I don't, I just cut the hook lose or keep that for lunch.

[Justin Spencer]

I agree with Gary. As much or more so than keeping it out of water too long, handling the fish with dry hands is not good for them. The slime layer of the fish protects it from disease so anytime you touch a fish with dry hands you are removing that protective slime coat that leads to illness days or even weeks down the line. Always wet hands before touching fish (even though it hurts this time of year). And if you must put them on the bank to take a picture (as some like to do) please put them on wet vegetation, or wet down the rocks real good before getting your picture. This by no means ensures their survival but might help some.

1-3 may lead to rougher handling, but all can be used responsibly.

[flytyer57]

And I don't know personally any bass fisherman that fishes barbless. But, I understand they will all now come out of the wood work. But I counter by saying, I still don't know you personally.

Hey Chief. If I catch one smallie on a crankbait and have any problems getting the hook out, I will mash down the barbs on those trebels. I've got several of my favorite smallie baits with the barbs mashed down.

As to the answer of the posted question, I say live bait. All too often a fish will swallow a live bait while it will spit a fake. More harm is done to a fish that swallows the live bait.

[Wayne SW/MO]

I think #6 is a given. #5 depends on water temperature and O2 content. #4 can harm the numbers, but it shouldn't affect an individual fish for that reason alone. #3 takes you back to #6, it all depends. I don't see a whole lot of difference between single hooks and I think again, a fish can be mishandled with or without a barbless. #2, no more than lures in my opinion. #1, use circle hooks.

[DaveMac]

I'm concerned any time a fish swallows the bait. Even when you cut the line, I'm never sure the fish will survive. This is why I almost always use artificials, expecially jigs with a single hook with the barb mashed down. I also like to release the fish without touching it if possible.