to debarb or not debarb, that is the question

[cannibalspinners]

just a simple question. is it better to buy hooks without a barb or debarb them yourselves?

i tend to think barbless hooks are more expensive , however if i take the barb of myself will they be just as good , as well as cheaper ?

[Steve Walker]

Hooks designed to be barbless are better, but crushed barbs are ok.

[Phone]

All,

 

Steve,

I'm not on board with that statement. Same steel - just a little doodad to cut the barb is different.

 

In the late 1800’s, discussions raged over the merits of “barbless” hooks. The arguments were focused generally on the point of fish hookup. In other words, the relative ease of penetration of a needle point hook sans barb vs. a more traditional barbed hook. Fish mortality also entered into the discussions but was a subordinate line of discussion. It seems the more things change, the more they stay the same as these discussions continue to this day

 

Here's one of the first

 

 

Personally I don't think it makes a tinkers damn of difference.

 

Phone

 

At venues and events requiring barbless I crush. Never had any problem with the "rules committee" using crushed.

[Ken L]

It depends on the steel, how it was hardened and how deep the barb is cut.

In most cases, crushing is fine and tends to leave a bump that's enough to help prevent the hook falling out.

I have had some hooks with hard steel and deep cut barbs become severely weakened by crushing barbs though and although that's not usually a problem because the weight of the fish is supported on the bend, I have had a few come back pointless after hits.

If we're talking lures though, I'd say that barbless hoks are fine for cyprinids like chub and mahseer, passable for pike and a really bad idea for perch and trout.

[cannibalspinners]

All,

 

Steve,

I'm not on board with that statement. Same steel - just a little doodad to cut the barb is different.

 

In the late 1800’s, discussions raged over the merits of “barbless” hooks. The arguments were focused generally on the point of fish hookup. In other words, the relative ease of penetration of a needle point hook sans barb vs. a more traditional barbed hook. Fish mortality also entered into the discussions but was a subordinate line of discussion. It seems the more things change, the more they stay the same as these discussions continue to this day

 

Here's one of the first

 

 

Personally I don't think it makes a tinkers damn of difference.

 

Phone

 

At venues and events requiring barbless I crush. Never had any problem with the "rules committee" using crushed.

those hooks look like they could do some serious damage , really glad we dont use things

like that nowadays.

still very interesting hooks though.

[Steve Walker]

All,

 

Steve,

I'm not on board with that statement. Same steel - just a little doodad to cut the barb is different.

 

Not necessarily the same pattern, though. I mostly use barbed hooks and crush the barb, but I have some barbless hooks which are specifically barbless patterns.

 

Incidentally, the manufacturing process for barbless is different to barbed, because the traditional process needs the barb to work.

Edited February 25, 2014 by Steve Walker

[chesters1]

We are allowed to use micro barbed in some sizes in the club but i always squash the barb ,far better to keep worms and lively maggots on than barbless .

I have always done this even for barbed hooks from as far back as a kid ,it was far better the lose the odd fish than cut a hole in your trousers and land the wrath of my mum!

Saved on cutting holes in your nets too

[wotnobivvy]

Just beware that some fisheries will not allow micro or squashed barbs, only true barbless

[Dales]

i tend to think barbless hooks are more expensive , however if i take the barb of myself will they be just as good , as well as cheaper ?

 

I have never really noticed the difference in cost to be honest and so if i wanted barbless I buy barbless as I have found the best barbless hooks tend to be of a different pattern to standard barbed hooks. I tend to favour an interned point for barbless.

 

I do agree with those that claim the bump of a crushed bard can help keep bait or fish on but in my view not enough difference to make it worth while. The less messing around with a hook other then maybe sharpening it the better. I take the view that any messing around with a pliers to debarb or shraighten it etc runs the risk of damage.