Pinching down the barbs?

[Scoot]

Who pinches their barbs for muskie fishing? How much more likely are you to lose fish as a result of pinched barbs?

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Scoot

RodsbyEngel: custom made fishing rods

[upnorth]

I am not a Musky guy, yet But if you keep a tight line there just is no realistic way for the hooks to come out. But I am guessing that it could still result in a few lost fish.

[andy j]

even if you keep a tight line you will lose fish and lose fish often. Muskies are all over the place during the fight, jumping, thrashing, If you are comparing them to big pike then you should think again, big pike and muskies are a whole different animal. Bring large jaw spreaders, leather glove, LONG needle nose pliers, hook cutters, If you have a large muskie net even better. Good luck

[Fish-n-Freak]

Well, I have gone barbless more and more because I don't lose fish, and it makes the release much easier when I am alone, which is most of the time.

I started to try it out, and I think you have to give it a shot, you might lose a fish now and then that barbs might have held, but I think I am hooking more fish because the hooks go in easier. Plus without the barbs I have far less fouled lures. If the hooks hang on each other or the lure, they will slip off and the cast is not wasted.

You might want to try it with lures that you use with a longer rod, Bucktails, Top Water and Crankbaits, so you have a better chance to keep constant pressure on the hooks. It can be tricky on a short jerkbait rod, but it's not that hard.

Basically we are going to let them go any way, so why not make it easier for both of you. If you ever get a hook in your hand, arm, leg...., you will be glad it's barbless.

Steve

[Keith_MN]

All of my muskie lures get the barbs pinched before they ever see my tackle box. I do a fair amount of fishing for big northerns in Manitoba where it is required.

As already stated it makes releasing the fish much easier. And it definitely makes releasing the occasional human much, much easier as well.

And I really can't say that I have ever lost a fish because my hooks were barbless. Once you have a good hookset you rarely loose a fish - barbs or no barbs.

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Keith_MN

I plan to live forever......so far so good!