Bending the barb 2024

Tokyo Tony reply :

Hello fellow bassers ;D First of all, I'm glad to be registered with this site. I've been surfing around if for a few days now and it is very cool.

I'm wondering if anyone has experience with bending the barbs down on your hooks. I only do it when I'm catching a bunch of little fish and I want to be able to release them quickly, but I was wondering...Does anyone do it all the time? I know it would make setting the hook a little easier, but do you think you'll lose a significant number of fish (especially jumpers) due to the lack of a barb?

I think the difference may not be as noticeable with a worm hook, but with treble hooks it seems to me the barbs really keep the fish buttoned.

I'd prefer to bend all the barbs down on all my lures (for the sake of the fish), but not if it's going to cost me a lot of fish.

Any thoughts?

pondhopper reply :

I have recently done away with all my barbs. Though it has not been that long yet, so far, so good. If you get a good hook set, you usually got him>

fishing man reply :

i have bent ALL my barbs on all my rattle tras, crankbaits, top poppers, ant thing that uses 2 trebles (due to a hook into finger axident last year. but i really dont lose fish, as long as u get both hooks into him and it is a good hook set, just try to make sure they dont jump, just in case

roadwarrior reply :

Welcome aboard!

I don't bend barbs down on any type of hook or lure.

I want my smallmouth to jump, that's what excites me!

Gunrunner26 reply :

I'm with RW. If they don't jump, what's the use! I might as well be catfishing.

Tokyo Tony reply :

Thanks guys, I guess I'll stick with using the barbs then unless I'm catching a bunch of little fish. It's not worth possibly losing a nice fish.

guest reply :

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Welcome aboard!
I don't bend barbs down on any type of hook or lure.

I want my smallmouth to jump, that's what excites me!

AMEN to that!

NBR reply :

I bend the barbs down on everything and have for over 30 years. I loose a few fish but then I lost a few fish before I started bending barbs down. Barbs down equals easier on the fish, easier on me and faster release.

MickD reply :

For LM and SM bass, I crush the barbs most of the time. Sometimes I forget. I don't think it costs me any fish, but I expect that depends on how you play them. I have a friend who almost always loses the bend in his rod when he cranks down, and he loses a lot of fish even with barbs. I keep the bend in my rod and lose very few.

My son argues that with the barbs crushed he gets more hook sets as the hooks penetrate more easily. I'm not sure of that, but he catches a lot of fish.

Since we do only catch and release for bass, the release is so much easier on the fish-less damage at the hook, faster back into the water. If I lose a fish now and then, so what? Often we will give them slack when they are at the boat and they get off without our handling them. It's hooking them and the fight that are the most fun of the fishing experience-once they are done, the easier the release the better.

roadwarrior reply :

I don't think the bard effects catch & release at all.

I want to land all my fish, say Hi! and Good-bye.

Barbs are NOT an issue.

Hookemdown. reply :

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I don't think the bard effects catch & release at all.
I want to land all my fish, say Hi! and Good-bye.

Barbs are NOT an issue.

I agree 100% with RW's post.

Barbs are an extra insurance that keeps the fish on. They don't harm the fish any more than a barbless hook, and their not that much harder to extract from the fish's mouth.

jaystraw reply :

Would it be easier to dehook a fish who has been gut hooked with a barb-less hook?

Tokyo Tony reply :

It's definitely easier to unhook a gut-hooked fish when the barb is down. It's noticeably easier to remove any barbless hook from a fish, and I find it does do less damage when removing the hook from a fish (you don't tear the flesh as much), but from the above replies, I will continue not to bend the barb down unless I'm catching a bunch of dinks.

MickD reply :

Anyone who uses Gamagatsu tube jigs and has tried it both ways knows without a shadow of a doubt that it is easier on the released fish to have the barb crushed. I just verified it again today when I forgot to crush one and I had to really hold on to a little bass and the hook "crunched" heavily as it finally came out. Maybe with less aggressive barbs it makes less of a difference, but no difference? Can't buy that at all.

Also, I had little bass that took the tube pretty deep, and with a crushed barb, the jig simply had to be pushed down with hardly any effort, and it popped right out. Doesn't do that with a full barb.

Oh, I did lose a couple. What a horrible day!

Crestliner2008 reply :

Interesting discussion! I am in favor of crushing down the barbs on some hooks. I use mainly inline, circle type hooks and always crush the barbs. Rarely do I ever loose a fish that way. However, with the drop shot and very light line (4# test), I leave the barb. I loose far too many fish on the first jump if I don't. And most times the fish are lip hooked anyway, so it's not an issue. When I use tube jigs and TX rigged plastics however, I crush the barbs to facilitate hook removal. To say that keeping the barb is no more harmful than not having it, cannot be substantiated by DNR authorities or literature. Especially if hooked deeper than the lips of your quary. I don't know how many times a bass has literally tried to swallow a Senko, regardless as to how fast I try to set. And a large off-set hook buried in the gullet cannot possibly be removed without a greater incident of damage to the fish when the barb remains. This is yet another incidence where I can't remember the last time I lost a fish before releasing it - without a barb. IMHO.

Tokyo Tony reply :

I just read Doug Hannon's answer to question #14 and he said he crimps the barb on ALL his hooks. What? Do you think that's true? If he's actually caught over 800 10 lb+ fish with no barb, it's hard to argue. I STILL think no barb = fewer landed fish....confusing.

stratosdriver reply :

I generally bend the barbs down on finess baits or anything that im fishing slow but the faster moving baits that usually hook fish in the lip area i leave the barbs on,The barbs dont seem to be an issue on these baits because of very few fish get hooked deeply

Davis reply :

I have always left the barbs untouched.

Never had a lot of problems so why change? I pretty much lip hook all my fish. Especially because I use circle hooks most of the time for wacky rigging which is one of my favorite styles.

Don't think I would want to try and fish for smallies with a barb crushed. That's just asking for a big fish to jump off.

Josh VanderMeer reply :

i really don't see a point to bending down barbs when fishing for bass... there mouth is tough and they can handle it

but when it comes to rainbow trout fly fishing in creeks then thats another story... their mouth can be damaged from barbs sometimes.

jaystraw reply :

I was having trouble with the smallies swallowing everything yesterday. The first one tried to swallow my rocket shad!!

So, I pinched the barb on my 3,0 hook. The very next cast I hooked into a monster which got off just by the boat. I have no doubt it was becasue I pinched the hook. I'm not complaining, but I switched back to a regular hook and did not lose another fish.

Crestliner2008 reply :

I guess it all boils down to how badly you "need" to get every fish in the boat or landed. To me, sport fishing is one of the finest of outdoor experiences; which I do not associate the same way as with tournament fishing. The thrill for me is hunting the quary, using the correct presentation, catching the fish and maybe landing it. The landing is not a crucial aspect of the satisfaction I get out of this sport. A "quick release" by the fish jumping beside the boat or near the bank is - for me - a good thing! It just means that that fish will live well and grow that much larger the next time I catch him/her. And this kind of release tells me that I was successful in achieving my goal. This is why I would recommend crushing barbs on every hook possible - not all hooks (see my previous post), but most, IMO.

MickD reply :

Attaboy, Crestliner. I couldn't have said it any better (which is obvious, since I didn't), and I agree with you 100%. A nicely balanced approach to the issue.

I might add that in my opinion, most losses of fish occur due to not doing the first thing my dad told me about fighting a fish- about 60 years ago - and not due to crushed barbs- "Keep a tight line."

Many fishermen lose the tight line when they reel down. You can see it when their rod loses its bend. If the rod isn't bent, the line has no tension, and the fish can often use that as an opportunity to get the hook out. How many fish have you caught where the lure fell out as you went to take it out, barb or no barb? If your line is always taut, then the chances of losing the fish are much less.

Yes, I know jumping bass change the odds, but the principal is still the same.

Mick

jaystraw reply :

Quote
I guess it all boils down to how badly you "need" to get every fish in the boat or landed. To me, sport fishing is one of the finest of outdoor experiences; which I do not associate the same way as with tournament fishing. The thrill for me is hunting the quary, using the correct presentation, catching the fish and maybe landing it. The landing is not a crucial aspect of the satisfaction I get out of this sport. A "quick release" by the fish jumping beside the boat or near the bank is - for me - a good thing! It just means that that fish will live well and grow that much larger the next time I catch him/her. And this kind of release tells me that I was successful in achieving my goal. This is why I would recommend crushing barbs on every hook possible - not all hooks (see my previous post), but most, IMO.

I like that line of reasoning quite a bit. Not to mention it makes me feel A LOT better about losing a fish at the boat.

Del from philly reply :

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Often we will give them slack when they are at the boat and they get off without our handling them. It's hooking them and the fight that are the most fun of the fishing experience-once they are done, the easier the release the better.

i could never do that.....not even handle the bass??? i think thats a part of the battle

id do that for tiny fish maybe

Tokyo Tony reply :

I agree Johnny - a large part of the fun for me is actually holding the fish by her lower lip and taking a close-up look while trying hard to resist the strong urge to kiss her ;D . Weird? Maybe a little...

Davis reply :

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I agree Johnny - a large part of the fun for me is actually holding the fish by her lower lip and taking a close-up look while trying hard to resist the strong urge to kiss her ;D . Weird? Maybe a little...

Same.

howitt reply :

Its law here where I live in Manitoba,Canada that all barbs be pinched. I've found that you do tend to lose a lot of bass on jumps where there is more of a chance for your line to go slack. I don't go barbless when I have a choice. It may be easier to remove a hook but its not hard to cut one if its too hard to get out. Barbless isn't so bad if the hook is in your thumb though

Blackdog reply :

Bending down the barb on regular hooks is a good method to reduce damage to the fish. I have found 'circle hooks' give you the same benefit, yet hook well and easily. Circle hooks almost always hook the jaw and are easy to remove.

Do rememebr that smallmouths do not behave like some other fish when boated. I use special gripper pliers (plastic) to hold them if needed (generally use needlenose at boatside to remove the hook) to secure them to take a photo. A hook in the hand with a strong little fish thrashing will ruin your whole.... week! Leave the manual hook removal by professionals in video clips to the pros i there is any doubt.

Other. reply :

Every now and then I will bend the barb on hooks. I really only do this on creeks just for a little fun. Most of the bass in the creeks I fish most likly never seen a lure before. If I loose them on a barbless hook I just cast back out and they will bite it again. One of the many fun parts on fishing creeks.

NBR reply :

I have pinched the barbs down on everything fcr over 25 years and I don't see much difference in landed to lost ratio whether they jump or not. When fishing with guys who don't pinch down the barbs I don't lose any more than they do and the hooks are easier to get out of me, parts of the boat, clothing and the fish.

bassdocktor reply :

I personally leave them. I've lost a few nicer fish with the barb bent down. So from then on I decided to always keep the barb.

Tokyo Tony reply :

Ahh, memories. This was the first thread I started when I joined. I didn't post this just to reminisce, but to add some insight I've gained over the winter...

I've been trout fishing every weekend this winter in a stream in CT, and in some areas, it's catch and release only, so you have to bend the barbs down to fish in those areas.

I have learned that with single hook lures, barb/no barb makes no noticeable difference for trout. However, most of the trout I catch do not jump. I think going barbless for feisty smallies will result in more lost fish.

As for treble hook lures, when I pinch the barbs, I have noticed beyond any doubt that I've lost more trout without the barbs, and they don't even jump. That means that you will lose more smallies if you bend the barbs on treble lures, and I'd be willing to bet big $ on that.

Lastly, removing barbless hooks from fish is exponentially easier and quicker than removing a barbed hook, and it definitely harms the fish less, especially trout. Smallies are more resilient than trout, so I really don't think removing a barbed hook will damage a bass noticeably less, unless the fish is hooked in a tough spot.

$0.03

Cory N reply :

Mike D from Lunkville lands a bigger fish than should be in central park and speaks with Doug Hannon about 3/4 of the way through. One question Mike brings up is mashing the barb. Follow this link and hear it from the Bass Professor's mouth.

http://www.rockville.tv/lunkerville/episode5cp.html

the old fishing pond reply :

I use needle nosed pliers. I've been stuck in my own lip and was very happy it was barbless!

Mike D from Lunkerville reply :

we did that interview with doug quite some time ago; when doug was working with ugly ducking lures... at the time i had never heard of the idea of mashing the barb to get better hook ups, but doug makes a lot of sense... in central park, it's required so to protect the fish and make for an easy release... and i have to say that i've landed most of the fish at CP without the barb

NBR reply :

This is one of those debates that goes on forever. Those of us who bend the barb down are sure we are right and those who don't are also sure they are right and except for those waters where the barb must be pinched both are right.

Kenora reply :

With respect to using a barbed hook, you will lose a few more fish whether they jump or not. But to say that a barbed hook does not inflict more damage is silly. Would you rather have an injection with a needle or knitting needle? It is a matter of diameter. The benefits of barbless hooks is especially noticeable when a fish is gut hooked. To me the conservation upside for barbless far transcends a few lost fish, the thrill of a jump or any other consideration. I guide a 100+ days a year in addition to my own fishing. I can say that the number of fish caught and lost by barbless hooks is far less than the damage leading to death that is caused by barbed hooks.

roadwarrior reply :

Welcome aboard!

8-)

Tokyo Tony reply :

So Kenora, you have all your clients bend the barbs down? Especially with novice clients, I would think that there would be a significant drop in the number of fish landed if you have them bend the barb down...

P.S.

Kenora reply :

Thanks for the welcome fellas. I have visited the forum so many times, so I decided to join in. As far as babless for more novice level fishermen, I think that barbless is more important than ever. I find that many more fish are deep or gut hooked by novices, in particularly with non-reaction type presentations. I find that using Senko type baits, flukes or worms that many new to the sport cannot always feel pick-ups and strikes and therefore set the hook too late. do they lose some - undoubtedly. End of the world - no, let's just find another. Are I/we/they disapp;pointed if they lose a fish? Of course. But there are always more. We can be happy that we figured out where the fish was, picked the right lure and presentation and enjoyed the fight right up to the end, even if it was a little premature.

Tokyo Tony reply :

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As far as babless for more novice level fishermen, I think that barbless is more important than ever. I find that many more fish are deep or gut hooked by novices, in particularly with non-reaction type presentations. I find that using Senko type baits, flukes or worms that many new to the sport cannot always feel pick-ups and strikes and therefore set the hook too late.

Good point

Del from philly reply :

what about meeting halfway and bending them halfway back?

honestly, thats about as much as i would do....

i do know it makes a difference, anyone who knows the "crunch" knows its different.....still not my thing

Del from philly reply :

whats next? reeling in slowly so the fish doesnt have to swim at an uncomfotable speed???

Dont take the picture of the bass because we dont have its approval? maybe it beleives pictures steal your soul?

Kenora reply :

The matter is not a joking type of thing. It is not only about the survival (more fish tomorrow) of many a fine trophy, but also has to do with the image we create amongst non-anglers. And believe me this is becoming a more important issue with each passing year. I think we all owe to each other and to the fish we catch to give them the best shot at survival. Fish released alive and in good condition means more fish tomorrow. Smallmouth, perhaps more than any other freshwater fish need our help. The agressivenesss which make them superb sport fish also puts them at risk.

MNGeorge reply :

I have never flattened the barbs on any hooks and likely won't start doing so any time soon. As for the image we portray to non fisher people, they do not approve of fishing period and using barbless hooks is not going to change their attitude one iota. As for protecting the Smallies for future enjoyment, I think the few fish that may fall victim to a barbed hook are far far outnumbered by the fish that get taken home for dinner. I also think we may not be giving the Smallies enough credit when it comes to their ability to survive some pretty severe injuries. Our stretch of the upper Mississippi has a slot limit on Smallies that requires all fish from 12" to 20" be immediately released.

By mid to late summer, it is not at all unusual to catch many Smallies that show obvious scars from previous trips to the boat. Injuries range from one bad eye to half their mouth missing, yet they are healthy in every other respect and are still able to run down a crankbait or a buzzer and give a good accounting of themselves. Just my $.02 worth.

Phishin Fillip reply :

I have never bent mine down but after reading this post it seems to be the thing to do. Thanks for starting it.

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