Barbed to Barb-less (for mangrovedutch .. and anyone else!)

Quick/dirty tutorial on how to convert standard barbed hook to 'barb-less'. This is a larger hook (#4) just to make the photography easier. Only tool required is needle-nose pliers. Have to be a bit careful, as it can be easy to break off the hook point - especially on very small hooks. This procedure used since true 'barbless' hooks are not available in all that many sizes/styles.

Makes 'catch and release' much easier. Quite often, it is possible to remove the hook from the fish by a mere tip of the hook - don't even have to handle the fish under some circumstances. My father disapproves of this - he is a 'catch and eat' fisherman.

After this modification, I can run my finger around the shank of the hook, towards the point, and right over the 'bump' created by the bent-down barb. Attempting this with an un-modified hook results in 'impaling'.

No PP applied to these other than some cropping.

Before:

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We here catch fish by hand, we don't need ugly torture instruments.

Wouldn't a quick once over with a file remove the barb? Less chance of buggering the hook.

The Ran wrote in post #11283683
Wouldn't a quick once over with a file remove the barb? Less chance of buggering the hook.

Recommended method is use of the pliers, file (only) might leave an abrupt ledge. Using a file (or perhaps emery board), after, would probably help smooth out the 'hump'. Good suggestion, I'll give it a try on some future flies. Trouble is, so many of the hooks are so small that seeing any change might be difficult. Would need jewelers files for this type of close work.

G'day Jim, Mate, catch and release for me 99% of the time. I don't mind a feed of fish sometimes, but mostly I photograph them and back into the water they go
I fish barbless most of the time, as I have to agree with sw2001, I had a barbed hook stuck in my thumb and tried to remove it, caused a lot of pain and a nasty hole. I ended up having to push it through and cutting the barb off.
sw2001, mate, I have got to know, how do you catch them by hand? Most of our fish sit in 10-20m of water, unless very early morning when they are feeding on the edges.

Regards, Dutch