The "barbless brigade" (BLB) would argue that a barbed hook does more damage to the fish mouth when being extracted. The "barbed brigade" (BB) would counter, that the absence of a barb allows the hook to move in the fish mouth when being played, and this in fact causes more damage, and they would also counter that modern micro barbed hooks leave very little damage.
The BLB's say that their hook comes out very easily, sometimes before you get the fish onto the un-hooking mat. The BB's would say that is true, and the hook gets thrown too many times for their liking as the fish is being played. They also argue that the modern micro barbed hook sometimes comes out when the fish is in the landing net. I have found this to be true as well; however getting a micro barb out of a landing net can still be a pain.
Some BLB's say that the current hook manufacturers pioneered the barb, it was introduced as an aid to keep live bait on the hook, and as this method of fishing is used so infrequently, barbs are no longer necessary. However an image web search for "ancient fishing hooks" blows this theory out of the water, as images show that barbed hooks have been around for thousands of years.
Both factions have their own views and can continually counter any hypothesis put forward by the other camp. And there lies the main problem, there doesn't appear to be any scientific proof to support one camp in favour of the other. The argument over which type of hook to use, has been ongoing for years, and in all probability it won't be resolved anytime soon or in the near future.
So is there a right or a wrong hook to use? Most waters have a policy in favour of one method or the other, and in some cases, only on the basis that a neighbouring water has adopted a policy, so they copy theirs. If you have the choice, i.e. the water you are fishing allows both types of hooks, then it all comes down to a matter of personal preference. It depends on what you the individual feels comfortable using.
Both factions do agree on one thing, that fish safety is paramount, so gone are the bad old days of using fixed rigs, and hopefully micro barbs have replaced the old larger barbed hooks, or at least they should have. As an angler I would strongly advise you to check all your hooks, if you want barbed that's your choice, but please replace any old style with micro barb.
The BLB's say that their hook comes out very easily, sometimes before you get the fish onto the un-hooking mat. The BB's would say that is true, and the hook gets thrown too many times for their liking as the fish is being played. They also argue that the modern micro barbed hook sometimes comes out when the fish is in the landing net. I have found this to be true as well; however getting a micro barb out of a landing net can still be a pain.
Some BLB's say that the current hook manufacturers pioneered the barb, it was introduced as an aid to keep live bait on the hook, and as this method of fishing is used so infrequently, barbs are no longer necessary. However an image web search for "ancient fishing hooks" blows this theory out of the water, as images show that barbed hooks have been around for thousands of years.
Both factions have their own views and can continually counter any hypothesis put forward by the other camp. And there lies the main problem, there doesn't appear to be any scientific proof to support one camp in favour of the other. The argument over which type of hook to use, has been ongoing for years, and in all probability it won't be resolved anytime soon or in the near future.
So is there a right or a wrong hook to use? Most waters have a policy in favour of one method or the other, and in some cases, only on the basis that a neighbouring water has adopted a policy, so they copy theirs. If you have the choice, i.e. the water you are fishing allows both types of hooks, then it all comes down to a matter of personal preference. It depends on what you the individual feels comfortable using.
Both factions do agree on one thing, that fish safety is paramount, so gone are the bad old days of using fixed rigs, and hopefully micro barbs have replaced the old larger barbed hooks, or at least they should have. As an angler I would strongly advise you to check all your hooks, if you want barbed that's your choice, but please replace any old style with micro barb.
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