I know we've discussed this before. Does anyone have experience using barb-less hooks in their ponds? We have been catching hybrid-striper & catfish and some bass on live bait. I would say about half the time they swallow the hook and we either have to rip it out or cut the line. So I ordered some barb-less hooks on Amazon. I am wondering how high the percentage will rise of fish that we don't land because with barb-less they might flop off before we get them to the shore?

Barb-less Hooks

Also has anyone ever used this type of hook remover? I am not having a lot of success with it when a fish swallows a hook...but some people sware by this cheap little tool.

Hook Remover

I've used barb-less hooks quite a bit. It's a requirement in an area of Ontario I've fished for many years.
I can can tell you from experience, I haven't seen any difference at all in terms of losing fish. Can't recall a single time that I lost a fish and thought it was the hook. Just set the hook and keep the line tight, there's no way they're coming off. It sure makes unhooking them a lot easier too.
I'd say it's a good call for your situation.

I am with Journeyman on this one. I almost exclusively flyfish for trout and barbless hooks are a mandate in a lot of places I fish. I can't remember the last time I used a barbed hook and if I buy a fly with it, I file it off.

I have a tool like the one you linked but I rarely use it. A hook without a barb backs out pretty easy. Like Journeyman, I don't ever recall losing a fish because of the lack of a barb.

I used barb-less hooks at my pond. So much easier to remove hooks. Once the hook gets past the esophageal sphincter, the difference between barbed and barb-less starts to be minimal. The hook remover tool you linked may help out in this situation, but I have not tried one.

I don't feel like I have lost any fish during the fight, but I have lost a few once they are out of the water and flopping around...the hook, without tension, comes out more easily and the fish flops back into the water. I am usually trying to weigh the fish while still hooked.

Mark, where are you hooking the live bait?

I just use a nail knot tool if the fish isn't gill hooked.

Thanks guys....that's good news...I thought barb-less hooks might mean I'd see a huge drop-off in landed fish. I ordered some additional barb-less hooks in different sizes.

Al I hook minnows mostly under their "dorsal fin" and/or slightly towards their tail...and worms just kind of a back and forth pattern.

Not sure what a "nail knot tool" is but I will Google it.

Quarter...that's where some of the real problems are...the esophageal sphincter. However I can get that tool in there relatively well, but I am not having much luck once I have the hook...it seems like there must be a certain way to turn the tool as you are pulling it out...but I have not come close to mastering that skill....I did it once but dont really know how or what I did that made it work.

anybody ever used one of these?




This seems a bit risky:

Recently cut notches in slot screwdrivers for hook removal. It works.

I use barbless hooks also, but was wondering about a small circle hook, something the grandkids could use to catch bluegill. I saw in one of the catalogs where they had some small ones, maybe it would help with the swallowing part.

I have tried with no good luck with the plastic or metal hook removing tool. I keep a small needle nose plier handy and always crimp the barb down on any and all hooks, single and treble.It makes a huge difference in removing them. Personally see no need to order special "barbless" hooks. Just my opinion.I do use tiny circle hooks for cnbg.

Like Flame, I keep a couple of needle nose and surgical forceps handy along with pinching the barbs down. If I have one swallow deep then I will attack the hook by going under through the gill flaps. If it is barbless it comes out pretty easy. And as far as the fish coming off while catching. I was probably going to release it anyway. And if I am using live bait then why not use circle hooks? I will use them with live bait if I am fishing for any soft mouthed fish like snook.

I've switched to Owner Mutu light circle hooks for small minnow/worm presentations.

I used the Tru-Turns for years, but there's a lot less swallowing with the Mutu hooks.

https://www.ownerhooks.com/product/mutu-light/