The "barbed brigade" (BB) would argue, 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, the BB's would also argue that the modern micro barbed hooks leave very little damage. The "barbless brigade" (BLB) would counter that a barbed hook does a lot more damage to the fish mouth when being extracted. And this is problem is greater when the fisherman does not take sufficient care.
The BLB's state that their hooks come out very easily, in fact a lot of the time before you get the fish onto the un-hooking mat. The BB's would say that is true, but the barbless hook also gets thrown too many times, and fish lost as its being played. They also claim that sometimes the modern day micro barbed hook comes out when the fish is in the landing net. I have myself found this to be true, however it's still a pain getting a micro barb out of a landing net.
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.
The debate over which type of hook to use, has been going on for years, and probably won't be resolved anytime soon in the near future. Both sets of supporters have their own views and can always counter any theory put forward by the other camp. And there lies the main problem, there doesn't appear to be any scientific evidence to support one camp in favour of the other.
Most waters have some sort of hook policy, even though some owners may not have a solid view on which hook to use. Some of them adapt the same policy of a neighbouring water so as to appear as an area of solidarity. If you're ever at a water with no restrictions, it comes down to a matter of individual preference. It depends on what you feel comfortable using.
The most important thing is fish safety, and that's something both camps agree on, so hopefully gone are the bad old days of fixed rigs, and the larger barbs being replaced by micro barb hooks, or should be. Not sure, then be responsible and check your tackle and discard any old style barbs and replace with micro barbs.
The BLB's state that their hooks come out very easily, in fact a lot of the time before you get the fish onto the un-hooking mat. The BB's would say that is true, but the barbless hook also gets thrown too many times, and fish lost as its being played. They also claim that sometimes the modern day micro barbed hook comes out when the fish is in the landing net. I have myself found this to be true, however it's still a pain getting a micro barb out of a landing net.
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.
The debate over which type of hook to use, has been going on for years, and probably won't be resolved anytime soon in the near future. Both sets of supporters have their own views and can always counter any theory put forward by the other camp. And there lies the main problem, there doesn't appear to be any scientific evidence to support one camp in favour of the other.
Most waters have some sort of hook policy, even though some owners may not have a solid view on which hook to use. Some of them adapt the same policy of a neighbouring water so as to appear as an area of solidarity. If you're ever at a water with no restrictions, it comes down to a matter of individual preference. It depends on what you feel comfortable using.
The most important thing is fish safety, and that's something both camps agree on, so hopefully gone are the bad old days of fixed rigs, and the larger barbs being replaced by micro barb hooks, or should be. Not sure, then be responsible and check your tackle and discard any old style barbs and replace with micro barbs.
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