LittleMac
06-15-2004, 09:11 AM
If you mash down the barbs on your hooks they remove easily from thumb and fish alike.
When I mash down the barbs, I am very careful however. I get just the little sliver of a barb in the pliars before pressing down. This saves the little bump in front of the barb and I consequently lose less fish. The hook penetrates better without the barb, but once hooked, the bump helps to keep the hook in during the fight should the fish try to throw it and gains a little slack line in the process.
When I mash down the barbs, I am very careful however. I get just the little sliver of a barb in the pliars before pressing down. This saves the little bump in front of the barb and I consequently lose less fish. The hook penetrates better without the barb, but once hooked, the bump helps to keep the hook in during the fight should the fish try to throw it and gains a little slack line in the process.