How to Make Fishing Hooks Barbless

Ghostboy on Flickr

Barbed hooks are the most common hooks on the market, but a growing trend among fishing enthusiasts is to use barbless hooks. Removing the barb from a hook makes fishing safer for fish, reducing fish mortality rates and eliminating the ugly scars that barbed hooks can leave.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

Needle nose pliers Knife or blade
Needle nose pliers
Knife or blade

Step 1

Grip the shank of a hook between the index finger and thumb, with the hook end pointing out.

Step 2

Use needle nose pliers to pinch the metal barb and twist the barb off.

Step 3

Use a knife or fine blade to shave off any coarse protrusions left where the barb was located.

Step 4

Pass the hook through a piece of cloth. If the hook doesn't snag on the way through, the barbless hook is ready for use.

Tips & Warnings

Check fishing regulations for the body of water you plan to fish. Some states designate various streams, rivers and lakes for barbless hook fishing only.

Article Written By Jonathan Croswell

Jonathan Croswell has spent more than five years writing and editing for a number of newspapers and online publications, including the "Omaha World-Herald" and "New York Newsday." Croswell received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Nebraska and is currently pursuing a Master's of Health and Exercise Science at Portland State University.

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