Barb or Barbless and why?

Campcook · 07-14-00, 10:14 AM

I have always fished barbless and I know it has been easier for me to remove my flys from countless fish and more then a few nets, vests, hats, etc.. But I really don't have any proof that it is safer for the fish. I just assumed that when the hook didn't make that ripping noise as I removed it...it had to be safer.. I tell all the new people I fish with to pinch the barbs down, is it a waste or not.. I know some sections of some rivers require it but how do they make that choice...

Campcook

ALG · 07-14-00, 12:25 PM

Hold on.... Cause here we gooooooo!!
somebody might want to go ahead and lock this one up

.
ALG

BLACK KNIGHT · 07-14-00, 12:38 PM

This is always a FUN topic!

Basically, the argument for barbless is it is easier on a fish that gets released, esecially over and over, because it doesn't tear out a chunk of flesh each time, and opens up a larger path for infection. I have always remembered Jimmy Harris' suggestion that if you don't appreciate the damage the barb does to a fish's mouth, stick a hook in your finger past the barb, then pull it back out. Try it! I would have to do this while lying down, so I didn't hurt myself when I passed out. As for me, I'll take Jimmy's word for it.

THE EG · 07-14-00, 06:21 PM

It's usually about 26 for barbless, one against. Guess who? Did Rod start this thing.

NiteOwl · 07-14-00, 07:18 PM

You know, for such a modest and sensible man, Eg, you sure have slanted the facts in regard to that number.

haha

I fish barbed because I am a fisherman. I like to catch fish( not just look at them from a distance).
I love trout, and think they are wonderful creatures, but I do not worship them. Not saying that all barbless fishermen do worship them, but I have my doubts about some....

I dare to say that I am not alone in fishing barbed. I know a few others that have even gone barbed after losing fish.( If you gave a sarcastic " huh." after that, then I tell you......smookiecubber in el bondifico.) I lost nine in a row yesterday before realzing that Jahlive! had given me a barbless fly. Thought I was losing my mind. ( Don't answer that! haha)Then I looked at the hook and oh....there we go, then. Bob was my uncle.

And lastly, the reason I fish barbless is that I have no desire to practice the fine art of winching a fish in as fast as I can. I like to see them jump and fight, and do not wish to spend my day with my jaw tight, hoping that they won't come off the hook.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

A premptive strike.

" Well, you just don't know how to fish then." - or -
" Well, you have to keep the line tight, that's the way your supposed to land a fish" -or-
" You don't know how to keep pressure on them"
-or-
"I catch just as many fish with barbless"
( I'd like to see that in person)
-or-
a hundred other things.....

I think I can set the hook in a fish, thank you.
I also think I can land a fish, thank you....without stripping him in broadside across the water's surface.
I have been fishing for 25 years.....10 of that for trout....
I have tried barbless over and over and over again, and for the life of me, have no faith in it at all, as to it's ability to land fish.
Lastly, I keep asking for someone to take me fishing, catch and land all( or almost all) of the fish they hook( with barbless hooks) and show me how they do it. No one ever offers.
If it can be done, then I would consider it,

I'm still not convinced.

Then there's that thing, where you fish barbless and the hook is in the fish's mouth on the first jump, the side of his head on the second, and in his tail when you lnad him. I'm not so sure that in that case, that barbless is better for the fish at all. But then again, I'm not so worried about the fish, to the extent that it would keep me up at night. Barbless hooks will one day be the tool of PETA.

If barbless to help the fish, why fish for fish at all? Without the evils of fishing, they'd be totally unhurt.

Just you wait and see.....

Thanks, I feel better.

------------------
Flyfishing for trout is hope,.... on a fine, thin string.

[This message has been edited by NiteOwl (edited 07-14-2000).]

[This message has been edited by NiteOwl (edited 07-14-2000).]

The Ole Man · 07-14-00, 09:50 PM

I frequently go barbless after the following "procedures"- once upon a time:

Procedure #1: #6 long shank barbed hook is embedded in my left index finger all the way to the bend entering about 1/4 inch above the top joint of finger.

Pro #2 Go to Dr.

Pro #3 Receive 3 numbing shots-one of which goes directly into the joint. #$@$^&

Pro #4 Hook shank is grasped with a pair of forceps and the hook is is twisted and run through my finger- point and barb pop out the top of finger near the nail.

Pro #5 Point and barb are cut off and the eye is cut off the other end. Hook is grasped and pulled on through my finger.

Pro #6 Go home and finger "throbs" all night.

I was 11 years old at the time. It is something you never forget-cuz that was 47 years ago. When I debarb, "to heck with the fish-I'm taking care of ME"!

Grizzz · 07-14-00, 10:12 PM

ALG you are right. When I saw the topic of this post I knew we were in for a wild ride.

I fish barbless for many reasons. First is that I like being able to release a fish easier and especially like how I do not tear off 1/3 of his lip in the process. The less that you handle a fish and get him back in the water, the more chance that he is going to survive.

Owl, I also like to land fish, but I do feel that getting them to hit is 75% of the battle. Now I know you have fished with me before, and yes you have heard me cuss a few times, well quite a few times, when I have lost a fish. But to tell you the truth it does not bother me for too long. That is as long as it was not a big fish.

Lastly, I sure wish I could find the article, but there was a study done recently comparing the penetration ability of barbless compared to barbed hooks. This report showed that with much less pressure and therefore easier penetration, barbless hooks worked much better. If I can find that article I will post it.

The Grizz

Sic Puppy · 07-15-00, 12:11 AM

I got into barbless hooks because small bass have a tendency to rapidly accelerate the digestive process to the point that ingress and egress apparently happens within a matter of seconds as far as they're concerned and a surgical level far beyond me is required to extract that hook. I've also read that barbs were initially put on hooks to hold the bait on, not the fish, so as much as it pains me, I'm going to have to go wth the PC opinion on this one: I fish barbless and don't lose any more fish that I can tell.

Gray ghost · 07-15-00, 02:25 AM

I like to have a barb on my streamers and nymphs when I fish. You never know when a big old Brown or Bow is going to hit.When I was at JB a few months back I hooked into what I thought was just another tuff little dink but when I was stripping him in to release him and he realized he was caught and I realized he was about 18 to 20 inches we were both in trouble. He then started to go nuts and came out of the water wide open turning and fliping trying to get away. He jetted back down river pretty quick with me trying to keep some control on him with my line until I could get him on the reel. Im not to sure that a barbless hook would have held him on. I guess I will never know since I was using a big streamer with a barb but im willing to bend a few down and see for myself.

NiteOwl · 07-15-00, 06:10 AM

See. I told you Eg.

Thanks to GG, Grizzley, and BK, who all , in their patronizing and round-about way, support my theory that it IS fun to LAND them.

hahahahaha

I hope you didn't release that fish with 2/3 of his lip left. Poor thing probably had to go on a liquid diet for a week.

I'm glad you think a barbless hook "works better" Grizz, but I think I'll clarify that for everyone. The theory is that it hooks better. It also releases better( or worse if you like to land them)

hahaha

I guess we'll have to make two new "catagories" of fishermen, called "catchermen" and one called "ooops-he-got-off-men".

Owl

you silly fellas.........I'm going to catch a few, now.

I'm still waiting............

Oh and Ole Man, that's the only thing that I can see as a valid argument(for me). However, my unwavering love of the trout keeps me wanting to touch them....all.

See, I'm still being civil.......

75%..........three out of four.......I think that's about right for you......and that could be your ratio of food to brew, too now, couldn't it? HAHAHAHAHA

When's the next trip ????

[This message has been edited by NiteOwl (edited 07-17-2000).]

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07-14-00, 10:14 AM	#1
Campcook Native Join Date: Apr 1999 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 41	I have always fished barbless and I know it has been easier for me to remove my flys from countless fish and more then a few nets, vests, hats, etc.. But I really don't have any proof that it is safer for the fish. I just assumed that when the hook didn't make that ripping noise as I removed it...it had to be safer.. I tell all the new people I fish with to pinch the barbs down, is it a waste or not.. I know some sections of some rivers require it but how do they make that choice... Campcook

07-14-00, 12:25 PM	#2
ALG Native Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Athens Posts: 299	Hold on.... Cause here we gooooooo!! somebody might want to go ahead and lock this one up . ALG

07-14-00, 12:38 PM	#3
BLACK KNIGHT Hall of Fame Member Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: Greenville, SC, USA Posts: 3,328	This is always a FUN topic! Basically, the argument for barbless is it is easier on a fish that gets released, esecially over and over, because it doesn't tear out a chunk of flesh each time, and opens up a larger path for infection. I have always remembered Jimmy Harris' suggestion that if you don't appreciate the damage the barb does to a fish's mouth, stick a hook in your finger past the barb, then pull it back out. Try it! I would have to do this while lying down, so I didn't hurt myself when I passed out. As for me, I'll take Jimmy's word for it.

07-14-00, 06:21 PM	#4
THE EG Past Director, Hall of Fame Member, Designated Message Board Prude Join Date: Feb 1999 Location: East Cherokee County, GA Posts: 4,775	It's usually about 26 for barbless, one against. Guess who? Did Rod start this thing.

07-14-00, 07:18 PM	#5
NiteOwl Ex Member Join Date: Aug 1999 Location: Temple, GA Posts: 2,831	You know, for such a modest and sensible man, Eg, you sure have slanted the facts in regard to that number. haha I fish barbed because I am a fisherman. I like to catch fish( not just look at them from a distance). I love trout, and think they are wonderful creatures, but I do not worship them. Not saying that all barbless fishermen do worship them, but I have my doubts about some.... I dare to say that I am not alone in fishing barbed. I know a few others that have even gone barbed after losing fish.( If you gave a sarcastic " huh." after that, then I tell you......smookiecubber in el bondifico.) I lost nine in a row yesterday before realzing that Jahlive! had given me a barbless fly. Thought I was losing my mind. ( Don't answer that! haha)Then I looked at the hook and oh....there we go, then. Bob was my uncle. And lastly, the reason I fish barbless is that I have no desire to practice the fine art of winching a fish in as fast as I can. I like to see them jump and fight, and do not wish to spend my day with my jaw tight, hoping that they won't come off the hook. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - A premptive strike. " Well, you just don't know how to fish then." - or - " Well, you have to keep the line tight, that's the way your supposed to land a fish" -or- " You don't know how to keep pressure on them" -or- "I catch just as many fish with barbless" ( I'd like to see that in person) -or- a hundred other things..... I think I can set the hook in a fish, thank you. I also think I can land a fish, thank you....without stripping him in broadside across the water's surface. I have been fishing for 25 years.....10 of that for trout.... I have tried barbless over and over and over again, and for the life of me, have no faith in it at all, as to it's ability to land fish. Lastly, I keep asking for someone to take me fishing, catch and land all( or almost all) of the fish they hook( with barbless hooks) and show me how they do it. No one ever offers. If it can be done, then I would consider it, I'm still not convinced. Then there's that thing, where you fish barbless and the hook is in the fish's mouth on the first jump, the side of his head on the second, and in his tail when you lnad him. I'm not so sure that in that case, that barbless is better for the fish at all. But then again, I'm not so worried about the fish, to the extent that it would keep me up at night. Barbless hooks will one day be the tool of PETA. If barbless to help the fish, why fish for fish at all? Without the evils of fishing, they'd be totally unhurt. Just you wait and see..... Thanks, I feel better. ------------------ Flyfishing for trout is hope,.... on a fine, thin string. [This message has been edited by NiteOwl (edited 07-14-2000).] [This message has been edited by NiteOwl (edited 07-14-2000).]

07-14-00, 09:50 PM	#6
The Ole Man Chief Financial Officer, Past Director, Hall of Fame Member Join Date: Dec 1998 Location: NW Georgia Posts: 7,997	I frequently go barbless after the following "procedures"- once upon a time: Procedure #1: #6 long shank barbed hook is embedded in my left index finger all the way to the bend entering about 1/4 inch above the top joint of finger. Pro #2 Go to Dr. Pro #3 Receive 3 numbing shots-one of which goes directly into the joint. #$@$^& Pro #4 Hook shank is grasped with a pair of forceps and the hook is is twisted and run through my finger- point and barb pop out the top of finger near the nail. Pro #5 Point and barb are cut off and the eye is cut off the other end. Hook is grasped and pulled on through my finger. Pro #6 Go home and finger "throbs" all night. I was 11 years old at the time. It is something you never forget-cuz that was 47 years ago. When I debarb, "to heck with the fish-I'm taking care of ME"!

07-14-00, 10:12 PM	#7
Grizzz Past President, Advisory Board, Hall of Fame Member Join Date: Aug 1999 Location: Woodstock, Ga Posts: 2,911	ALG you are right. When I saw the topic of this post I knew we were in for a wild ride. I fish barbless for many reasons. First is that I like being able to release a fish easier and especially like how I do not tear off 1/3 of his lip in the process. The less that you handle a fish and get him back in the water, the more chance that he is going to survive. Owl, I also like to land fish, but I do feel that getting them to hit is 75% of the battle. Now I know you have fished with me before, and yes you have heard me cuss a few times, well quite a few times, when I have lost a fish. But to tell you the truth it does not bother me for too long. That is as long as it was not a big fish. Lastly, I sure wish I could find the article, but there was a study done recently comparing the penetration ability of barbless compared to barbed hooks. This report showed that with much less pressure and therefore easier penetration, barbless hooks worked much better. If I can find that article I will post it. The Grizz

07-15-00, 12:11 AM	#8
Sic Puppy Native Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Athens GA USA Posts: 102	I got into barbless hooks because small bass have a tendency to rapidly accelerate the digestive process to the point that ingress and egress apparently happens within a matter of seconds as far as they're concerned and a surgical level far beyond me is required to extract that hook. I've also read that barbs were initially put on hooks to hold the bait on, not the fish, so as much as it pains me, I'm going to have to go wth the PC opinion on this one: I fish barbless and don't lose any more fish that I can tell.

07-15-00, 02:25 AM	#9
Gray ghost Hall of Fame Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Cumming Ga. USA Now pronounced Qmen Ga. Posts: 1,908	I like to have a barb on my streamers and nymphs when I fish. You never know when a big old Brown or Bow is going to hit.When I was at JB a few months back I hooked into what I thought was just another tuff little dink but when I was stripping him in to release him and he realized he was caught and I realized he was about 18 to 20 inches we were both in trouble. He then started to go nuts and came out of the water wide open turning and fliping trying to get away. He jetted back down river pretty quick with me trying to keep some control on him with my line until I could get him on the reel. Im not to sure that a barbless hook would have held him on. I guess I will never know since I was using a big streamer with a barb but im willing to bend a few down and see for myself.

07-15-00, 06:10 AM	#10
NiteOwl Ex Member Join Date: Aug 1999 Location: Temple, GA Posts: 2,831	See. I told you Eg. Thanks to GG, Grizzley, and BK, who all , in their patronizing and round-about way, support my theory that it IS fun to LAND them. hahahahaha I hope you didn't release that fish with 2/3 of his lip left. Poor thing probably had to go on a liquid diet for a week. I'm glad you think a barbless hook "works better" Grizz, but I think I'll clarify that for everyone. The theory is that it hooks better. It also releases better( or worse if you like to land them) hahaha I guess we'll have to make two new "catagories" of fishermen, called "catchermen" and one called "ooops-he-got-off-men". Owl you silly fellas.........I'm going to catch a few, now. I'm still waiting............ Oh and Ole Man, that's the only thing that I can see as a valid argument(for me). However, my unwavering love of the trout keeps me wanting to touch them....all. See, I'm still being civil....... 75%..........three out of four.......I think that's about right for you......and that could be your ratio of food to brew, too now, couldn't it? HAHAHAHAHA When's the next trip ???? [This message has been edited by NiteOwl (edited 07-17-2000).]