Do you guys that practice catch and release pinch your barbs down? Since drilling a treble hook into my finger i’ll be pinching the barbs if for no other reason then saving a hospital visit.
I’ll admit through the years I have pinched a lot of barbs down on my baits.
No. Although when I fished Winnipeg I felt that I never lost any fish due to barbless hooks.
I guess I do pinch the barbs on my circle hooks for sturgeon. That’s only because they are nearly impossible to remove without pliers. The circle concept acts as a barb anyway.
No but I’ve been meaning to give it a try. Actually I need to replace trebles on a bunch of old cranks so that may be a good place to experiment with barbless.
I pinch barbs on every lure I own. I have lost maybe 1-2 fish where the barbs probably would have made a difference. Worth it to me.
I guess I do pinch the barbs on my circle hooks for sturgeon.
My barbs get pinched for sturgeon and channels when using circles and when I use trebles for channels as well. As BG mentioned, the circle acts as the barb and by keeping the line somewhat tight, they won’t fall out.
Kids fishing? No pinchy barbs.
Depends on the lure and if I’ve been getting hooks that are difficult to remove or not. Also a lot of times if the hook is difficult to remove while in the fish I will pinch the barb down if I can reach it.
So either I make a cast, or I take 60 extra seconds to pinch the barbs. Which would you choose?
I will say that I won’t hesitate to use a lure with pinched barbs.
So either I make a cast, or I take 60 extra seconds to pinch the barbs. Which would you choose?
I will say that I won’t hesitate to use a lure with pinched barbs.
Or this winter on the couch you pinch the barbs and file the hooks. 
Other than channel cats, can’t remember a time where it really sucked getting a hook out. Well bullheads suck too I guess, why do they always have to swallow it!
I always thought barbs were an archaic idea. I get better hook penetration without the barb, right down to the hook bend. The hole in the fish is smaller meaning the hook is less likely to fall out. And it’s easier on me in the event I harpoon myself.
I’ve been fly fishing for over 50 years and I’ve only ever used flies I’ve tied myself. For many, many years the hooks have been barbless.
SR
Or this winter on the couch you pinch the barbs and file the hooks.
I can already hear the yelling after I leave a hook on the couch. Besides, I tape my hockey sticks on the couch in the winter.
I guess I do pinch the barbs on my circle hooks for sturgeon. That’s only because they are nearly impossible to remove without pliers.
Hmm. I never use anything more than my finger. Never pinch a barb either.
8/0 hooks help for my big fingers.
Process:
Index finger in the hook gap and thumb on the back of the hook.
Press with thumb while pulling with index finger.
You need to back the hook out the same way it went in. If you try to remove like a j hook with a pliers your just ripping the hook out.
More times than not when someone else in my boat is unhooking a sturgeon (I do it most the time immediately and while in net and in water) they try and then ask for a pliers….I reach over and pop it out with my fingers instantly.
Maybe I’ll take a video this fall.
Super easy guys. Harder if you can’t get an index finger in the gap, but I give a hard push on the back of the hook and typically if that don’t free it completely it’ll free it enough to get my index finger in.
Unhooked a many sturgeon this way.
Now occasionally with channel cats I’ll bury the hook into bone or just simply cannot get a finger in the gap… THEN I’ll use a pliers in the gap just as I would my index finger, but I’m still applying pressure with thumb from back. It’s when the thumb cannot push the hook because it’s already against the head where a little pliers ripping must occur. Difficult to explain all the procarious ways fish get hooked right!
2c
I don’t pinch barbs on anything except ice fishing channel cats on the chain.
Or simply remove the barb… 
I don’t have gorilla sausage fingers like you. I have enough trouble sometimes removing it without the barb and I’ve done it hundreds of times.
I don’t have gorilla sausage fingers like you.
That was my point, it us a hindrance and not an advantage. I can’t slip my fingers into a 6/0 hook.
I have enough trouble sometimes removing it without the barb and I’ve done it hundreds of times.
Try pushing on back side of circle hook. It must be done to back out the circle the same way it went in. Hook design
I first need to become a “catch” guy. 
I first need to become a “catch” guy.
Me too !!
I don’t, but whenever I gullet hook a fish I wish I had.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>biggill wrote:</div>
I don’t have gorilla sausage fingers like you.That was my point, it us a hindrance and not an advantage. I can’t slip my fingers into a 6/0 hook.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>biggill wrote:</div>
I have enough trouble sometimes removing it without the barb and I’ve done it hundreds of times.Try pushing on back side of circle hook. It must be done to back out the circle the same way it went in. Hook design
I guess what I should’ve said is that I know exactly how you’re doing it, I’ve done it, it works but I like to go without the barb. It’s easier for me.
You’re method works great but I’m using smaller hooks which is a big part of the problem and I don’t plan to spend diaper money to buy more.
Just drove one nice and deep this past weekend. Past the barb. I’m now seriously considering it for all my hooks. I pulled it out the old fashioned way. Just yanked it out. My wife was with but didn’t see. I sure wish I dared to let loose with a few well chosen words.
We pike fish in Manitoba every spring. Manitoba has had barbless hook policy for at least 25 years. We grind all barbs off. I only remember every losing 1 fish that I thought a barb may have helped.
I agree with better hook up. I cast spoons for pike. Change all trebles to single hook. I live in Michigan and use barbless here also.
haven’t ever messed with the barbs. live bait and bobber fishing would seem to be the biggest risk, but not really the best technique if intending to release them.
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