Why Crushing The Barbs On Hooks Is A Benefit
- By: Pat Ogletree
- on
Crushing the barbs on hooks is a BENEFIT!!!
Believe it or not, it’s less stressful for both you and the fish.
Here’s why!
Why Crushing The Barbs On Hooks Is A Benefit [VIDEO]
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Does anyone else out there crush their barbs with pliers?
I do this to ensure the survival rate of the fish I catch after it’s released.
Barbs can do damage to the jaws of fish, especially speckled trout.
Crushing the barbs down minimizes that risk.
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STOP WASTING TIME ON THE WATER!
Do what the “SMART ANGLERS” are doing and join the Insider Club.
Here’s what you’ll receive today when you join:
- Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish every trip
- Weekly “spot dissection” videos that walk you through all the best spots in your area
- Exclusive fishing tips from the PROS you can’t find anywhere else
- Everything you need to start catching fish more consistently (regardless if you fish out of a boat, kayak, or land).
Yes. I mainly catch and release and will crush the barbs. Less damage to the fish. Just gotta keep constant tension on the line when reeling in. And if they get off, no biggie as they were going back anyway.
If it’s competition or survival, barb city. If it’s sporting and relaxation, barbless.
Yes l also go barbless. I do tend to drop my rod tip to prevent the fish from jumping. When l first started l thought l would lose more fish then with normal barbs, not so l land about the same with or without barbs.
Another thing l like is you don’t have to touch the fish as much.
Anyhow great article thanks for sharing.
Thanks for the video and tips Pat! Yes, I always go barbless. It’s so much better for the fish and the fisherman. Been doing it for the past 2 years without any noticeable difference in landing rate. I’ll still loose fish now and then… but that’s fishing! Besides, even with the barbs, you still loose some…
Thanks for watching Gavin!
It maybe and I tried it before but found out you loose alot more fish then you catch when doing it at least I do and usually I’m the type that release very few fish unless really small all you coaches seem to release all your fish well not me im a fish eater and after I catch my limit I usually leave in other words I release very few fish but when I do they all seem fine and only once in a great while will one have a torn or hurt jaw but thats normal in fishing anyways different strokes for different folks everybody’s different in how they fish thanks for the info and as usual all you do😉👍
Thanks Steven!!
why not talk to the manufactuers of the hook and ask them to make some without the barb.
There are some that do make them. It’s becoming more and more popular
You can also make the barbs smaller without completely crushing them, either bend down or file them.
Good tip!
This is a good tip. Smaller barbs help with hook penetration in redfish and flounder.
A guy at bass pro once asked me if I knew where the barbless jig heads were. I asked him if he had pliers.
I do prefer hooks with smaller barbs for that same reason!
8-16% of fish that are caught and released still die. This is one of the best ways to reduce mortality. Does less damage, and makes removing the hook easier, reducing the fish’s time out of water. Thanks Pat 👍🏼
Thanks for watching Craig!
Most of my fishing is catch and release, so I’m crushing the barbs. I’ll swap out the treble hooks for single hooks. It sure makes it easier releasing fish especially toothy fish like blue fish. A dehooker also works well with crushed barbs. Some say that you’ll loose fish using crushed barbs. As long as you maintain tension on the line, you won’t loose the fish.
I think it’s small thing that you can you to help with survival rate, especially with smaller juvenile fish.