Jayhad Posted July 9, 2019 Posted July 9, 2019 Schaeffer J. S., Hoffman E. M.. Performance of barbed and barbless hooks in a marine recreational fishery, North American Journal of Fisheries Management, States the authors concluded that barbless hooks provided only a slight benefit at the expense of reduced capture rates. Typically those fishing barbs are fishing bait and large hooks both of which contribute to "deep takes". Deep takes considerably increase the release time and therefore the mortality. Too many have accepted the barbless argument as gospel, never looking at the data. We as fly anglers typically fish very small hooks, small hooks with barbs have been shown to reduce harm as the hook stays locked into jaw. A barbless hook creates a conical hole which can become infected. (we all see this with heavily fished cutts). Size 16 and smaller barbed flies may actually provide a better catch and release event for the trout. Now if you are a Fudd and love to grip and grin, tire out your catch or just a fish butter fingers barbless may be the way for you to go. Flame away you barbless Zealots, I also fish trebles on my flies 1 Quote
DonAndersen Posted July 10, 2019 Posted July 10, 2019 Jauhad, Rain getting to you. An argument with yourself is kinda scary Don 1 Quote
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