If You Use Micro Barbed Hooks - WATCH THIS❗ 

✅ Watch next: Why big hooks are killing your chances: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-JNp3Fi7VITo.html I’ve been fishing with barbless hooks exclusively now for 3 years, whether I’m on a public lake, the river or my own lake. This video is about how I made the transition from micro barbed to barbless and I hope it will give other anglers the confidence to fish with them. If you have to use barbless hooks because of fishery rules, your fishing shouldn’t suffer. If you get hook pulls (because I know they can happen), my advice is to change to a running lead. If you’re fishing lead clips, the problem will go away. If you’re already fishing running leads and you get hook pulls with barbless, the problem is the hook point, not the fact that it’s barbless.

I was taught to use barbless as a child and continued to do so when I returned to the hobby as an adult. I've never felt the need to use barbed hooks.

Interesting watch, one thing I’d say is that when there is no weed or snags about, that a barbless hook wouldn’t result in any extra losses. But when fishing in and around weed a barbless hook definately seems to cost a few fish down the line

It's a touchy subject with some people, but personally 99% is down to how some people play the fish and how snaggy/weedy a lake is. Club and syndicate anglers claim that the barb stops the hook from moving.... when I have asked them how does it they cannot give me an answer! When playing a fish the hook moves in all directions... fish goes left/right/up/down the hook isnt going to be in the same position so a barb or micro barb is actually rotating inside doing damage you cannot see. I'll always use barbless if the lake rules allow, the safest rig out there is one the fish can get rid of in case of a break off.

Think angling experience and ability counts for a lot too. I fished an exclusive syndicate for 10 years with a very high standard of angler. The owner made it a barbed only rule and every fish was in perfect condition with very little if any mouth damage on any of them. Go on other local lakes, either club or day ticket, where barbed hooks can be used and the mouth damage can be horrendous on many fish. A lot of this, imo, is down to inexperienced or casual anglers who struggle unhooking fish. In these circumstances a barbless only rule is the best way to cater for all standards of angling. Personally, out of choice, I will always use barbless hooks but am more than comfortable using barbed hooks if rules dictate. Interesting stuff and findings Matt.

I'm in total agreement with you regarding barbless hooks. I've fished for over 30+ year with barbless hooks and never had and issue with losses. I tried mirco barb and found mouths being damaged more, plus if you have a snap off hooks can be shed easily.

One of the first carp dvds I watched was Kevin Nash Rig evolution he points out that smaller barbless hooks were much better for hooking and landing carp , sharpness is key as you have said . I use size 8 barbless on a lake with plenty of Thirties and up to fifty and have never had hook pulls. The carp angler has been scared into using barbed and micro barb hooks and told they will lose fish if doesn’t have a barb . So glad you brought this topic up with real evidence. Thanks again Matt for your great information

Another insightful video. Thanks again will give barbless a try going forward

Hi Matt Very informative and my local lakes that I belong to in Chichester now have barbless as standard. There will always be a case for and against but the balance in what you have shared in your latest vlog is justified and if not converted a good enough reason to try. In any carp fishing, unhooking whilst the carp is in the net is key for the safety and stress of the fish as well as supporting the angler. Well done and thanks for sharing. Best, Mark

Super vidéo !!!! Merci de traiter des sujets aussi importants et intéressants !!!! Bonne continuation

It's called fishing, not catching. Regardless of what hook we use, the safety of the carp or any fish, is paramount. I personally use barbless, myself and I may have lost some fish, but that's the chance we take with fishing. Thanks for this video, Colin. Very informative and interesting opinion and that is all Colin is sharing. Just his opinions ❤

USA angler here. I grew up fishing in the Carolinas (Eastern USA) fished with barbed and barbless, used what was available. Never gave it a thought. My grandad took me fishing one day, he watched what I did, how I set things up, and immediately showed me the difference between hooks, setups, etc. I did not realize, or know as a young fella that yes, gear of choice makes things easier, but it still boils down to angler ability whether a fish is landed or not. Meaning, how anglers “play” fish. He used barbless, and always out caught me. Was it all hook? No, he had experience, and through his experiences, he learned and improved as he fished. I like running rigs, a fishing buddy here is a lead clip 💯. He gets on me and tells me how and why I am losing fish, etc. it is painful to hear that every time out, how running rigs suck, and so on. I use running rigs, small hooks size 5 - 10, out of barbless at the moment, but will be restocking soon. Great video Matt. Great info as always. Cheers!

Hi Matt, another great video, have you tried these pallatrax hooks with the ridges, so neither barbed or barbless.

From experience I can tell that I have seen absolutely mint mouths as well as damaged mouths from waters with a barbless rule as well as with a non-barbless rule, so for me mouth damage is not an issue related to wether a hook has a barb or not. Like you I am totally convinced that most mouth damage does happen between netting and putting the fish on the mat. I even fish a water that banned unhooking mats altogether and only allows handling the fish in the water because of that. Like you I unhook the fish in the net, also when using a barbed hook. No problems with that. Yes, you may be getting just as many hook pulls with barbless hooks, but only if you’re fishing in open water. As soon as there is a lot of weed or other obstacles involved and you maybe have to free the fish with the help of a boat (like I have to in many European venues) you’re gonna lose nearly every fish, because you simply cannot keep up the tension in the line. I strongy disagree on your opinion concerning lead setups. I fish standard inline leads up to 6 oz in certain circumstances and last season for example I can’t remember one single hook pull. I use big, thick wire hooks and hook holds are absolutely perfect. Of course you’re right when saying that a carp hooked on a barbless rig can get rid of the hook easier and you proved that with the example of the bridge in your lake. But the question is why are there so many cut off rigs in the first place? If you make sure that you don’t lose end tackle, there’s no need in worrying if a carp can eject your hook or not.

Really interesting video, my new syndicate is a barbless only water so a first for me. With regard to using running leads and barbless hooks what would you suggest for bite indication? Assume unless you are fishing in close slack lining is a no-no. What would you therefore recommend a tight line or semi tight line i.e (Mid drop on bobbin / swinger).

So I went out carp fishing today and managed to catch 2 nice commons. I would recommend barbless to everyone I wasn't to sure about it at first but I've had the same success fishing barbless as I have with barbed and not only carp fishing either. I use barbless for everything now and have had the same results for every species of fish I've fished for. besides all that if you hook yourself you can pull it out without having to make a trip to the emergency room.

I honestly couldnt be happier to hear this from a man of your knowlegde. I have been fishing with barbless hooks since i started really. Recently i fished a venue that banned barbless hooks so i had to buy microbarbed one from the shop on site. Every single fish i caught was bleeding heavily from the hook, removing the hook was hard and caused extra damage. My heart was sinking. I was gutted. After all those years of me unhooking a fish with ease and not leaving mark now i felt like a barbarian. I told this to the bailiffs and they said its mostly for the wellfare of the catfish present. They acknowledged i was right and it damages the carp and they said: yeah but you have carpcare, right? 🙈 Im so glad you posted this and i hope this spreads. I didnt need scientific evidence for this, just common sense.

Great video again Matthew, personally I’ve never used barbed hooks of any kind. In the last two years I’ve only lost two fish and one of those was my own fault because I didn’t get to the rod in time (falling over getting out of the bivvi in the middle of the night)

Hi Matt. Thanks for posting this. I have been thinking of swapping over to barbless hooks for all my carp fishing for a while. I have already been using running rigs for a few years and much prefer vs lead clips. I have found takes on running rigs have been aggressively and very exciting. A French fishery bailiff/friend convinced me tbh and I have not looked back since.. I have found size 8 or size 6 hooks mean finer wire and logically will be sharper penetrating deeper with less force and require less material removal to maintain sharpness. I have found a size 6 continental hook pattern which I like and retains amazing strength and sharpness. It’s been my go too.

Greetings Matt, nice and informatinal video 🎉. Wanted to ask, if you're fan of method feeder?

You are so correct with everything you said. Especially about not removing the hook before lifting the fish out of the water.

💯what your saying.Matt especially unhooking the fish in the net first. Thanks again for the tips.😊👍🏻🎣

Do you think seeing the bottom of your lake an everywhere they feed that its a 100% advantage an there bout to rattle off on there dinner plate placed to the mm???

Brilliant Matt, 100% agree, there'll always be the argument as you know and said but I've used barbless hooks for over 20 years, I never have issues with them and firmly believe a lot of it is the angler not the hook where they get blamed for losses. As always great vid! Tight lines 🎣👍

Interesting points you raise, personally I don't have any problems using barbless but, my gripe is that when going fishing to new venues some ban barbed , some ban barbless so you end up having to buy twice as many hooks.

My personal experience ..which you have to go on is that I have definitely lost more fish using barbless hooks ..to address hook sharpness I use an eye glass and ensure that hooks are all ways sharp..there is definitely a technique to playing fish using barbless hooks ..always keep a tight line and always drop the lead but my experience tells me you definitely lose more fish to barbless hooks than barbed ..where possible I will always use barbed.

Great video Matthew, what's your view on the pallatrax gripz hooks? I've used them a few times and find them bang on, they're barbless but the point is almost like an arrowhead shape with the wide gaped.. curveshank less so.

Awesome video as always. I am a feeder angler. But i haven't forgotten my roots. I do go every once in a while on a few day session of carp fishing. And in 90% of my feeder fishing i use barbless hooks. One of the best there is is the qm1 from guru. If it's hooked correctly it won't get away. But that is an active fishing with quick bites , almost always we have our hand on the rod in a few seconds after the bend of the tip. How about a video with hook types (talking about barbless and micro barbed ) . What kind is good for different hook baits. It would help us anglers decide what to use , when and why.😊❤

I am coming round to smaller hooks though, I’ll give you that. It makes sense: friction, although that works both ways of course. Pallatrax I’ve found very good on barbless waters, with no losses, so far. Around 20 fish on them this year👍

Totally agree with you Matthew, the other good thing using barbless is nine times out of ten when you net a fish the hook the hook will pop out in the net

Love the running

Matthew , with all of this info then ( and I’m on board with what you’re saying here ) , what’s your opinion on the pallatrax gripz hooks ?

Hello Matt what hook sharping kit would you recommend to buy ?

Totally agree . The damage caused in the landing net can be awful , seen it with my own eyes , don’t understand why some people disagree with you . I base my theory on 35 years of carp angling and now a lake owner , barbless is safer for the carp and easier for the angler

A very good video. For the longest time i used barbless, but switched to micro barbed after i moved to a new water where if you lost a fish it could be a monster, so didn't want to take the chance. As you mentioned about the old wives tale where a barbless hook moving around in the fishes mouth would cause more damage, i've always know through experience this to be complete rubbish. And the mains reasons fishes mouths get wrecked is due to people not knowing how to remove a barbed hook correctly, as well as you say rigs getting stuck in a net etc when landed. A barbless hook almost completely removes those 2 main situations. And as you demonstrated leave little to no marks in a fishes mouth, and far far less bleeding i've noticed for sure. I'll seriously consider the move back to barbless after this video. Out of interest, have you tried those Pallatrax Gripz hooks? barbless but with a kind of grip indentation near the point, seems interesting but no idea if it's any good. Would love to hear your opintion! Thanks for another great video.

Hey Matt what are the hooks you use called and size all we have are off set octopus hooks here

Hey Matt I have a question about something and I can't seem to find any answers on. I've seen extended slip D rigs recently and that posed the question for me. What size should the D section in a rig be? Particularly for Chod rigs and your standard Slip D with braid or mono. For chods I tend to prefer a shorter D section because I find that the the angle the hook sits at in the water is more aggressive. But I also imagine that this could cause the hook to be less stable. Have you done any experiments or have any insight in this region? I'm sorry if I've missed something or this sort in your rig videos I'll have another look at them while I await a response. As per usual thank you so much for all the information and experience that you share. Cheers

for example, on the lake in Austria where I fish and where there are fish of 20 kilograms and more, those hooks are banned. Fishing with micro barbed hooks from some known good quality manufacturers is a must.

Hi Matt can you tell me where to purchase your Rothenberger gasbrenner lighter and refills please many thanks 😀🙏🏼

Provided that the hook, line and rod are balanced correctly I have complete confidence that a barbless hook will hold firmly when I play a fish. A barbed hook requires more force to penetrate and so increases the risk of a hook pull and can lead to skipping across the mouth of the fish. I stopped using barbed hooks in the early 70s and have never felt I have lost fish due to a barbless hook. Once a barbless hook takes hold it rarely pulls out provided that the rod springs in response to the fish moving. If the rod tip fails to maintain pressure on the hook hold after the hook has penetrated up to the bend at all times while the fish is being played, then the hook will bounce out. Hook pulls I believe are down to the rod not the lack of a Barb.

Your 100% correct about sharp hooks

What reels are those you have on your fishing rods please bud if you don’t mind telling me. They look awesome

Have yout got a link to the plumpton college barbeless vs micro barb Study?

I use barbless only for years, fishing is exactly the same!

Another brilliant video. Barbless size 6/8 here we go 🙌 100%

Valid valid valid! Will be giving the barbless a try!

Great video as ever. I had a quick google for that paper you mentioned and couldn't find it. Any ideas where it might be in the public domain? Just so I can hit people on the head with it when they moan about our barbless hooks only rule!

Thanks to your videos I've gone from size 4 micro barbed back down to size 8 barbless. This was another interesting watch, which pretty much confirmed a lot of the stuff spouted in favour of barbed over barbless is at best flawed or at worst total nonsense!

I was taught to always use barbeless no matter what fishing im doing.where i grew up most carp lakes had a baberless hooks only rule but after moving all carp lakes in and a round grimsby have micro barbed or barbed hook rules and I defentily have to say the mouths they have here are way more damaged.and im too forced to use them

Mathew. I’ve only ever used barbless hooks in all of my 50 years of fishing, my lad has never used any other. Totally agree and back up with what you say on the matter and have experienced the same findings, just a pity it’s taken you this long to find out. Also lot has to with how you play the fish as well. Hauling them in as you see on the videos using broom sticks an’t going do you any favours. Good video, well said 👍

there are tests, if you stick a microbarbles hook in your finger, you will see a big difference in getting the hook out, believe me...

Matt whilst much of what you say here is in my mind quite correct I feel some points require expansion or emphasis. Particularly you make the point that competently sharpened barbless hooks are safer than micro barbed hooks, this is a wide ranging comparative and it is important to underline a few issues; 1. Anglers that sharpen hooks can have a propensity to mistakenly sharpen three flat faces onto a hook point (in a triangular fashion) this is particularly dangerous as it will ultimately create three cutting directions on a barbless hook point (also true of barbed hooks where the barb acts as a pivot to aid the faces to cut). 2. new out of the packet barbless hooks may not be sufficiently sharp and so can be prone to slip causing striations in a carps mouth (sadly as a fishery officer I have seen this on far too many occasions on stock on one of my local club lakes which has a barbless only rule and lots of potamogeton beds). 3. Even sharp barbless hooks can develop double or even multiple hook holds in a carps mouth during a fight because as the angle of pull changes there is nothing to stop the hook point progressing forward these can cause cutting and tearing under pressure. 4. certain barbless hook patterns actually do far more damage than many micro-barbed hook patterns (a case in point were Drennan Continental cutting point barbless hooks which were known to be able to slice in 3 directions). All that to be fair is counter balanced by inexperienced anglers that do not know how to remove a barbed hook safely. My personal preference is to use micro-barbed hooks as in my experience they do not move around as much however I am not adverse to using barbless hooks when rules dictate albeit I always disapprove of multiple hook holds when I see them.

Great content, any comments on Gripz hooks by Pallatrax??

Your thoughts on Pallatrax hooks? I tried these just out of curiosity and could see no benefit. Since I've returned to fishing I've exclusively used barbless, I've just always thought they have to be better for the carp.

Hi Mat thanks for video, very intresting. Once many years ago i had an occurance with a barbless size 8, i hooked a fish close range down the margin, i had a running rig with light lead maybe 1oz... it was a particuarly agressive take the fish was maybe 12lb, when it surfaced at the net i could see the line coming from near its gill, and the hook had slid from its mouth leaving a clean scalpel like cut all the way to the bottom of its gill plate which was hanging off loose. I returned the fish after showing the baliff but i think it later died of its injury. This experience put me off barbless for life.

I've been using barbless for 35 years, and I'll continue to defend barbless for another 35 years. It's all to do with how you play the fish. Take your time and apply just enough pressure on the rod. No point in rushing to land the fish.

Been using barbless hooks for at least 30 years I even squeeze the barbs right down to nothing on my sea fishing hooks never had a problem with fish coming unhooked, also easier to unhook yourself !

I have used barbless for many years. Easy to unhook fish in net and if the hook falls out , it’s easy to get out of the net as well.

I use barbless for barbel now ,, cant say I've lost anymore fish ,,, certainly dace fishing , grayling you lose fish tho a different pattern slightly curved back dose improve it alot ,,, tho I'm not sure about micro barbs doing fish damage, more like bad anglers. I have caught plenty of fish with barbless hooks stuck in them with seriously seriously damaged moths ,,, and all big fisheries have no barb rules but the fish are a mess ,,, certainly anglers rather than hooks ,,,, tho I prefer barbless as its a pure clean sharper hook up, ,in my opinion.

What about weedy waters. Did they do any studies on them and hook pulls?

Just got in to fishing and using barbless, as that's what the fisheries tell us. But will continue to use them elsewhere as we know any different and are catching plenty fine enough.

I have to agree that barbless are just as good, if not better than micro. And with barbless if you get it stuck in any of your gear, or god forbid a finger, there far easier to remove without damaging anything. Another great video Matt

As long as you keep presure on whilst playing the fish barbless is fine. But i will use barbed in verry weedy lakes because if a fish burys its self in a weed bed and you have to rest the rod and wait for it to swim out you have a good chance of still being attached to the fish !! Compared to barbless But i do agree with you that a barbless will penatrate easier ive always said that to my mate and he could not get what i ment till i said if you was stabbed with a needle realy quick that you would hardly if not atall notice but if it was a screwdriver you would certanly notice then the penny dropped and he switched to barbless and his catch rate deffo improved

Not carp, but for dace, roach, chub and trout, I don't think I have lost any due to using barbless hooks. I love how easy they are to unhook. Less stress for wild fish I tend to target.

You will always be my carp guru Matt but that thumbnail pic is the campest thing I've ever seen and I'm from the same hometown as Julian Clary! 😂😂😂

I've had 0 problems using barbless hooks. Easy to take the hook out after you net it too.

Yup...I've been barbless since you could actually get them. The odd gudgion/ silver fish flicked off but the time saved with barbless ment I caught more over time.... and you had clean holes, if noticeable. The finer the wire gauge the better, the easier the hook beds too. Gawd i cant list the greif i used to get for using barbless over the years lol.(and for being "stoooopid for using finer wired hooks".....).

Used barbless owner spade ends since 80s , never had an issue

Ever since I took up carp fishing a few years ago I only use barbless and a running lead .

Bottom line? The voice of a fishery owner will always be considered to lack impartiality (by definition). A link to the study you referenced would be helpful. That said, another really interesting and enjoyable film. Thank you

I never fished barbless. And i never will. Used to fish in a lake where barbless was mandatory allthough i used micro barbed. Never seen so many damaged mouths. It was crazy how many cuts i saw from the hook that is able to move without a holding point. Meanwhile i have a lake around the corner. With not a lot of fish in it that get caught at least twice a month. With micro barbed hooks and the fish are in top condition. No damaged mouths. No cuts. Because the hooks have a holding point. Which is essential for me. Not because i'm afraid to loose fish. I want to get the fish back in the condition it came out. Lucky to see many lake owners especially in France ban barbless hooks.

As always a great, informative video. Thanks Matt. Unfortunately in Germany we are not allowed to use barbless hooks, and are not available in shops

I'm new to fishing but I only use barbless simply because it's much faster and easier to remove the hook. I'd rather lose a fish than struggle to remove a swallowed barbed hook that's for sure.

Having been through all the comments , it seems opinions are pretty much evenly split as was always the case. However I can sympathise with the opinion that barbed hooks cause more damage simply because it is more difficult to unhook the fish but from a purely security point of view please ask yourself one question : Is it more difficult to remove a barbed hook or a barbless hook from your landing net, jersey or most importantly your finger ?..I think the answer is obvious

I use pallatrax Gripz. They are Barbless. 🙂👍🏻

It is believed that the first fish hook was invented 23,000 years ago.....two weeks later the first barbed verses barbless debate was held.....and it's been raging ever since!!! I've been using barbless hooks for my carp fishing for the past 40 years...a barbed hook is a complete anathema to me. Your point that the real danger time for the fish's welfare is once it is in the net is so so true and as anglers we have a huge responsibility to get it right at this critical time, and unhooking the fish in the net whilst still in the water is paramount. I'm in total agreement about a light running lead too, coupled with a slack Fluro-carbon mainline and a tightish clutch...it just woks for me.

I use barbless exclusively and have never lost a fish that I could attribute to it. Often the hook falls out in the net which I find quite helpful!

Another enormously informative video Matthew. I like barbless hooks aswell. I use them for carp and smaller fish like roach.

Was pondering about this the other day. I wonder what people think about beaked points causing more damage than striaght. Kinda seems that they might

Couldn't agree more i prefer barbless just look at bluebell lakes UK barbless rule and those carp are immaculate

Matt, I really have to thank you for the ‘sermon’ regarding the barbless hooks. In the meantime, I have completely exchanged my hooks to barbless. I can't tell any difference at all. I haven't lost any more fish or experienced any other problems, so I can absolutely confirm your experience and that of many of the comments here. A complete switch to barbless is absolutely worthwhile. Aside from carp fishing, I also use barbless hooks in feeder fishing in the meantime, not even being obliged to it in any of the waters. Removing the hook is such a breeze compared to the same hook with barbs and the ‘wounds’ are basically invisible and will heal in no time! I'm totally confident and I quite often fish at distances greater than 250-300m and weed belts. None of this is a problem at all. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to ‘convert’ anyone else yet because the guys all think too conservatively, but I hope that over time my successes will give them food for thought. Thank you once again for this enormously important inspiration! Cheers Alex

Hi have you got any links to the study can't find it

Simply making an observation but any hook sharpened to a "needle point" is as Sharp as a hook that is a gauge thinner the force required to pull the hook home would increase due to increase in friction etc but one is no sharper than the other.

That is exactly how I fish light ledger on a running rig barbless hook and I don't bother taking the fish out of the water unless it's a klonker and I don't use big hooks.

Have been using barbless hooks for 40 years.

Hi Matt, once again you've produced another top class video, very informative and backed up with results, well done! In my experience though it's not just about the hook itself that causes the damage, it's the way the fish is played out. I've seen too many fish bullied into the net and they have had tears due to the pressure applied. Another major factor is the hookhold location. If a fish is hooked in the middle of the lip there's litle chance of damage. The problems occur when the fish is hooked in the corner of the mouth, and it's made even worse by uncoated braid which can cut through the softer corners of the mouth. With this in mind I have been using rigs which allow the hook to drop down and nail them in the bottom lip more often than not. Personally I've not had any more lost fish on barbless than micro barbed, so where allowed now I've switched to barbless because it's better for the welfare of the fish. Unhooking them in the landing net is the way forward I think, it's a doddle with barbless. Keep up the good work mate, as I keep saying, this is some of the best content on RU-vid! 🙂

The trolls always know better than you Matt. Ignore them . They couldn't put a rational argument together if they tried. Issues like the barbed/ barbless debate always draw different opinions and that's what they are - opinions based on facts - unfortunately, opinions are often mistakenly stated as facts. Trolls wouldn't know what I'm talking about.

I've only ever used barbless, and I've only lost a handful of fish.

I think it was Kevin Nash who said that you can only call a rig a safe rig if using a barbless hook.

These are sharp and durable. Use them for catfishing and they have never disappointed.

If you use an ultra sharp hook, chances are the point will go over during the initial pentration and fight. Maybe that helps to hold a barbless hook in place, almost acts as a micro barb at tip 😅

i still can't get barbless hooks made for carp in the usa, though i have ben using the Gamakatsu R19-B for small stuff like chub and trout for a wile now.

I've never had any problem landing fish on barbless in anything but the weediest waters, if the hook set is good (ie. it hasn't just nicked the flesh) and you maintain tension then there is no way that hook is coming out. The only reason this is different with mega weedy waters is because it is easier for the fish to gain enough wiggle room to throw the hook if it's buried in a ball of weed. However, this doesn't I advocate barbs on weedy waters, I am happier to lose a fish and retrieve my rig than to risk leaving a rig in the fish in the case of a line failure. One thing that I feel is neglected in discussions surrounding mouth damage is transfer of disease/infection. If you've hooked two fish on the same hook then you've potentially just given the second carp the old dirty needle treatment. By hooking the fish you've opened a vector for any pathogen or disease to get in and do harm, it's the same as a small cut that turned septic after cleaning the toilet without gloves on. If that wound is larger or more ragged as you'd find where a barb has been pulled back through then that is more area for those little nasties to get in and cause problems. I think this problem is most obvious on high stocked waters where disease is naturally more prevalent and fish get caught a lot more regularly due to competitive feeding behaviour. Big hooks is another point of contention but my point of view is that a bigger hook with a thicker gauge disperses load better during a fight which will lead to less distortion of the wound cavity and a lower chance of tearing out. If you've ever seen those circus freaks who hang themselves up on meat hooks you'll notice that they use big, thick hooks for that very reason, I have been told this first hand by such a person who I met at a party once (if you've never been to a party with circus folk then I'd highly recommend it, just don't try to keep up on the drinks 😂). I personally wouldn't recommend any treatment that requires a dry surface to work on, fish skin is very sensitive and never supposed to be dry so you may end up doing more harm than good (this is my opinion as a biologist).

Dont know if this is relevant for the UK but most of our top end trout waters here in Ontario are barbless due to the regs. Everyone who fishes trout fishes barbless for everything else because you just get use to it. As long as you shift a little focus to line tension, barbs are pretty irrelevant

Whether sharper or not, stronger or not, better hook hold or not .. for me it simply comes down to fish welfare and if barbless means they can’t get tethered and less damage overall I use barbless whenever I can & relay that message on the bank … imagine the king or queen of the lake getting tethered and dying because it couldn’t get rid of a hook? Or any fish for that matter … so many big ‘chuckers’ cracking off on big pits etc and poor fish trailing rigs is not good, end of story for me.

Try Pallatrax Gripz, best of both worlds

Used owner barbless spade ends for 30 plus years, no issues

In 35 years of fishing many venues I can tell you for sure fisheries with a barbless hook rule in place have the most mouth damage stocks .plain and simple.i can also say it tends to be on the smaller carp up to about 25lb (probably) down to the skittish fights smaller carp give So what ever so called official test was done it's just rubbish barbless hooks need banning

See you sharpening nash hook i used sharpen them but the tips snap off spoke to alan personally and he said u cant get them any sharper than marc voosen does the pin points

Having a barb just increases the overall diameter, there is no way they go in as easily as a barbless hook will. Barbless was the rule on club waters i used to fish, and i rarely, if ever, saw much mouth damage from a hookhold. And after having fished a few waters where barbed is the rule, i see more blood. There is no way a barb will stop a hook moving, its a small sharp piece of metal designed to go through flesh, it will just tear the flesh inside where you cant see it. Given the choice it's barbless all the way for me.