Author Topic: Debarbing hooks (Read 392 times)

John Killinger · « **on:** September 08, 2011, 08:06:59 PM »

Time to start a good topic. I keep going back and forth on wheather or not to buy hooks with barbs. I'm using up all the ones I have, but when I go to replace, I keep thinking I should maybe just spend the extra money on barbless. Most of the hooks I use now are barbless except the bigger nymph/streamer hooks, I use mustad signature hooks for all those flies, they have the micro barbs on. However when I crush them, sometimes they still catch the shirt when you test them. Trying to save $$ when I can. Wish mustad would expand their line of barbless hooks. I use Dohiku for the smaller sizes16, 18 and I use skalka for my grub hooks. R50X is my staple for 10-14.

So, wanting to know if anyone has had any problems in the past with debarbing hooks, and how many of you comp fisherman actually use debarbed hooks? Or do you souly use dohiku hooks?

Thanks for the input

Chris Smith · « **Reply #1 on:** September 08, 2011, 09:18:48 PM »

John,

This is going to sound overly simplistic, but....

Barbed hooks rely on the barb to hold fish. Barbless hooks rely on other design elements to hold fish. You rarely find the design elements of a barbless hook in a barbed version.

As for barbless design preferences, I'm a sworn Knapek fan. You'll find that hook preferences mirror rod preferences...everyone has a favorite. What they have in common, however, is the confidence they instill in an angler.

Jim Frazier · « **Reply #2 on:** September 08, 2011, 10:24:01 PM »

john , why not try a pack of the trout legend hooks , they are the same price as mustads and they are barbless , i can't speak for quality but i think i may try them in the near future myself. I pinch down my barbs with the vise then turn the hook to its side while it is in the jaws to kinda give it the extra clean.

Dejon Hamann · « **Reply #3 on:** September 08, 2011, 11:41:07 PM »

Pitch begin. For those that haven't tried the TL hooks yet just try a pack or two. I think you'll be extremely satisfied. We've tried to price them competitively with even mass produced hooks like Mustad for a reason. And shipping is only 3bucks in the continental United States. Pitch end.

All though it might not hit your local competition any time soon I believe there was a bill passed by the fips-congress phasing out all crimped hooks.... manufacturer barbless only from here out. For what ever that's worth.

And Chris is right on the money. What ever hook YOU have confidence in is certainly the hook for you. However, barbed hooks, even micro barbed hooks aren't manufactured the way barbless hooks are - primary difference is spear length, second are cat bends and offset points - attributes unnecessary when you have a barb.

Chris Puchniak · « **Reply #4 on:** September 09, 2011, 12:11:24 AM »

I have seen occasionally de-barbed hooks break rather easily (on a fish or otherwise) right at the pinched barbed - mostly with lighter gage wire. Likely because it is either partially weakened at the barb during manufacturer, and then is stressed a little more when pinched, leading to a compromised part of the metal. After seeing that many times, I have a lot more faith in barbless hooks from the manufactuer. Hanak being a favourite.

I've also seen a lot of what you are referring too as well John. And when the barb doesn't pinch down right, it can be a source of aggravation.

If you are competition minded at all, it's likely best to get used to using manufactured barbless (not de-barbed) hooks, as that is all that is allowed in FIPS-mouche (coming soon if not already), and will likely trickle into the events here I assume over the next couple of years.