Will i lose a lot more hook ups? I plan on doing this but not if i will lose fish because of it
I couldn't agree more, it will stop you from hooking yourself (like I have. Many times. Many Many Many time in fact) as well as it will be less painful to the fish especially delicate ones like trout. Always respect what you are fishing for, no matter what.
Just my.02 I will never bend my barbs down. Although some people might find this helpful. When you fish for things that jump or even at times swim toward you at high speed (kingfish/Bonita's/tarpon) if you have no barbs that will equal a list fish.
A few years ago I use to fish xraps without barbs and I would lose a fish every other time on the water. Ever since changing to barbed hooks I have caught many Bonita's that have been fouled hooked in the side.
Also if you think of what these fish eat including other fish with huge spines al over there bodies a lil tear in the mouth isn't harmful. The major thing that should be changed is the use circle hooks with a significantly less chance of gut hooking our fish.
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To each their own, but popping out a barbless from a fishes jaw with ease vs. digging and gouging and ripping a fishes lips and jaws to shreds? Is that fishes prey bony? Yup. Does it have the force of my hands, muscles, pliers and torque? Nope. Bend down your barbs to save fish and your own skin.
Will you loose more fish? Sure you will. But hey, that's why I SPORT fish, not fish TRAP.
I DONT FISH FOR FOOD. If I did, i'd use barbed hooks or a crossbow or a net.
But I respect your position, do what you like - I won't judge you or anyone.
Don't mean to start anything but just saying if you fish enough you should be able to look at most hookups and simply slide the barb right back threw the hole it created entering the fish.
But thanks for being respectful and not bashing people!!
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I agree, keep them hooks debarbed!
Especially in freshwater, where the fish tend to be a bit more delicate. You have no idea how many Catfish trips this trick has saved, with the barbs on you really either lose your hook or end up really messing up the fish's mouths, and avoiding that is worth the ten seconds it takes to flatten the barb down.
Not to mention, you'll be glad you did if you happen to get a hook in you.