Chuck, The debate of barbed vs barbless can go on as long as your drinking session, and if you can't remember anything the next day, you'll be better off.
Like everything else in fishing, and flyfishing to a much greater extent, you MUST take into account your fishing circumstances. There are barbed hooks and barbless, but also micro-barb and circle-hooks, and then semi-circle hooks.. If you're careful when you crimp the barb down, you can leave a 'hump' that helps holds the fish. You must also take into acccount your quarry and the type of mouth they have, how they strike or bite, and what type of fight they put on, and whether or not you're C&R-ing. It's just me, but I figure that if I'm having a lot of 'long-range releases' on a barbless approach, something's got to change. I've never hooked myself (that I or Buggs can remember anyway), so that part is not in my thinking process - yet. The method that Jerry posted is an excellent one for getting smaller barbed hooks out. Large saltwater hooks (4/0 & above) would make me cringe to take a swipe at it like that, even if it was someone else (but for Jerry I would make an exception). That's why I like the Owner and similar styles micro-barb hooks. In saltwater applications for larger gamefish, sometimes the sharpness of the point is more important than whether or not it has a barb. On my largest applications, 12" long marlin/sailfish flies, I dremel the point and barb down to a knife-edge and mini-barb for easier hook-up, but the trailer hook I leave as a stock micro-barb #6/0, as this is the hook that usually get's the hook-up. Long story short- use what works best. There are no 'blanket rules'. DonO ----- Original Message ----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, April 25, 2006 11:51 AM Subject: Re: [VFB] Debarbed Hooks ROFL... Yeah, I guess I see now why you don't like to talk about "hook piercings" LOL,I caught My beloved Auburn Tigers shirt this Sunday and almost cried when it shredded a few threads getting it out Warrrrrr Eagle!!!!!!!! LOL.. Chuck ----- Original Message ----- From: jerry goldsmith To: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, April 25, 2006 1:46 AM Subject: RE: [VFB] Debarbed Hooks From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [VFB] Debarbed Hooks Folks: I was just watching a VHS tape I've had for a yr, but it has an intro part by Lefty Kreh and he says that he has debarbed his hooks since 1956 "cause they catch more fish"... Chuck, All that piercing the fishes mouth, not piercing the fishes mouth etc. is MOOT. You should always debarb your hooks because it makes them easier to take out of your cheek, your head, your shoulder, your hand, the anchor rope, your wading shoes, your hat, your shirt, your pants , your ear, your NOSE and your knee. (that about sums up my hooked spots- courtesy of my self or another caster. The ear was courtesy of Diane when she was learning how to cast. I could not stay mad at her, because about 5 casts after she hooked my ear, she got her herself in the head) JG No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.385 / Virus Database: 268.4.6/323 - Release Date: 4/24/2006
