Fishing Tip # 2 – Barbless Hooks Are Better

For many of us, a day on the water is a long one.  And a long day on the water usually means many many fish caught and released.  We love to get out and catch as many fish in a day as we can, and many of us prefer catch and release fishing, with the odd fish retained for consumption.  Studies have been done to show the effects of catch and release fishing, and whether or not it is a viable method of sustaining this wonderful natural resource that we all love and share.

Barbless hooks are a definite option, and lead player in the success of catch and release fishing.   Injuries sustained by fish are greatly reduced when an angler chooses to go barbless.   Tears in the fishes mouth are made quite large as the fish thrashes about trying to break free when barbed hooks are used.  When using barbless hooks, the hole which penetrates the fishes mouth is generally smaller, and causes less harm.  Once a fish is landed and it is intended to be released, a barbed hook is hard to easily remove, thus resulting in prolonged handling and oxygen deprivation for the fish.

If you are planning on releasing most of the fish you catch, go barbless!!

Barbless Brook Trout Fishing