I hate barbless hooks.

[Lola Marlene]

Went out Thursday morning and had 3 pull downs. Got one fish to the boat and it got away, the other ywo got away half way to the boat. I was just south of the bridge and it was rough. Did not run the planner board, just ran 4 lines off the boat. Going to try again Monday.

[Spot77]

Originally Posted by Lola Marlene

Went out Thursday morning and had 3 pull downs. Got one fish to the boat and it got away, the other ywo got away half way to the boat. I was just south of the bridge and it was rough. Did not run the planner board, just ran 4 lines off the boat. Going to try again Monday.

We've had a few get off this year and I can blame a couple on the hooks, but at least a few were simply from the fish short striking the lure and barely getting the hook in the corner of its lip. Of course it's a whole lot easier to release the fish too.

At least you got to see one of your fish.

I'm about 50/50 on a love/hate relationship with barbed hooks right now. On one hand I've lost a few fish, and on the other hand....well I caught my other hand pretty damned good with a barbed hook last year.




Here's an old thread about it, and some good advice on removal of hooks:

http://www.cbangler.com/showthread.php?t=1428

[drichitt]

With the restrictions disallowing stinger hooks and requiring barbless hooks, it can be tough to keep them hooked up. Think of it as a quick release. I consider any knock downs as a fish that would have been boated had I had my stuff rigged as normal.

[mlag]

I agree that we lose a few fish to barbless hooks, but I got to agree that its a "good thing" using them right now. It is so much easier unhooking and releasing. Only rarely does a fish need to come onboard. Allmost all can be released in the water very easily without a barb. Try this........I have been telling my guest that when reeling in a fish, keep the rod tip up and just reel steadily. Do not allow them to "pump" the rod as this will lead to more "short releases" due to a little slack in the line. It only takes a little slack for a "quick release". Good luck.................................Mark

[5th Tuition]

Mlag; good suggestion. All the fish boated on Patent Pending this season had the hook slip out very easily.
Keep preasure on the line and you will increase your C/R success.

Bill; I know your daughter fishes with you a lot. You can keep the rod in the gunnel and just let her crank the handle.

It's well worth losing a couple fish with barbless hooks this time of the year. All fish released so far have left throwing water with their tails and swimming off strong.

5th (Marty)

[B-Faithful]

I think you miss more fish due to the lack of stingers than going barbless. However that is no big deal to me in the preseason.

It is amazing how hard some fish will strike without a hook in their mouth. Last week we had a fish hit a teaser on an umbrella so hard that it popped a number 64 rubberband and ripped the teaser shad off the frame.