Hi there,

Bit of strange request but I have just been offered a ticket on a lake I've been wanting to fish for years. Just got given the rules and it's barbless only. The hooks I use at the moment are only available in barbed so just wanted some recommendations and good sharp / strong barbless hooks please?

I could file down the barbs I guess as got loads of hooks in barbed now

In reply to Post #1
Size 4 wide gaps for me or size 4 Choddy beaked point will help hookholds stay in I use shrink tube kicked round a little aggressive also to aid the hold

In reply to Post #1
BANK Tackle is a good start, use and recommend their barbless chod hooks

In reply to Post #1
In a similar situation myself.

Just check that crushed barbs are allowed as most don't let them.

In reply to Post #1
As wac said in post 4, if the rule is just barbless, I'd crush the barb down on your barbed hook with some pliers. However, if the rule is barbless and crushed barbs are not allowed then you need to look at an alternative hook. For those waters that don't allow crushed barbs, I use a few barbless hooks for different applications:

Nash Fang Gaper
ESP Stiff Rigger
Gardner Mugga

If the water doesn't allow crushed, I'd just get a barbless pattern that's similar to your barbed pattern. From a reputable brand.

In reply to Post #1
Have a look on a fishing tackle website, I'm sure the pattern you have will be replicated, most are by one supplier or another and available in barbless

In reply to Post #1
Simply file the barb off if you have confidence in your existing hook pattern. Why buy more hooks?

In reply to Post #7
I couldn't think of anything worse that trying to file down a barb.

Gardner mugga 👍🏻 Job done

In reply to Post #8
Only takes a couple of strokes with a decent file, I prefer it to crushing the barb as it'll pass a rag test and the hooks seem to hold better

Gardner crv riggas are my go to hook for barbless waters

I've just switched to barbless, and found J Precision hooks to be superb again even without the barb. I think a sharp hook really helps as it goes in that little further and holds better even without the barb

In reply to Post #9
This for almost everything and atomic choddas with crushed barbs for everything else.

In reply to Post #8
It takes 12 seconds max, and very easy.

In reply to Post #13
I've found some barbs snap off cleanly if squeezed with pliers
Although I'd probably just use barbless on a new water
First impressions and all that

In reply to Post #1
All of the lakes I fish are barbless only

I will happily use any of the ESP hooks (mainly cryogen grippers & trig-hammers) or Thinking Anglers hooks in barbless. Never had one snap or bend out.

My go to hooks are j precision curvs or wide gapes, only other ones I use are esp trig-hammer or Gardner muggas all will do the job and hook holds are spot on

Still struggling to find what I'm after. Crushed barbed not allowed on the lakes.

I want a straight eye and straight point which I thought would be easy!

In reply to Post #17

In reply to Post #17
Korum used to do good hooks dont know what their new ones are like - but straight point, eye, and barbless

korum expert specialist

In reply to Post #17
Try the Nash Fang Gaper, straight eye, very slightly inturned point, wide gape. And barbless off course.

In reply to Post #17
No sadly not easy, that's my preferred pattern too, I have a stash of Ace CXS, ridge monkey wide gape straight points and TA straight points, the RMs were the only pattern available in barbless (hence filing) but were discontinued. Have also just received some RM Apex straight points, can't remember if they are barbless or not though..

In reply to Post #17
Have a look at the bank tackle conti hooks may just be what your after

In reply to Post #2
bank tackle

In reply to Post #8
Totally agree.
Just get your forceps and crush the barb off, job done.
No one will ever know you have done it.
You are left with a barbless hook.
End of discussion, close thread!

In reply to Post #17
Thinking anglers say on their website a barbless version will be available this year

In reply to Post #25
I rate a beaked wide gape.

In reply to Post #24
If it was that simple fisheries wouldn't have to add the line "crushed barbs not permitted"

With the hooks I use a typical pair of artery forceps ain't flattening the barb either, you need pliers

In reply to Post #26
So do I

Sorry to jump in here...

I've never really used beaked point hooks so excuse my ignorance but other than them saying if you fishing over gravel they won't go over as easily what are the advantages? I always prefer a straight hook as I'm confident they are catching hold quickly.

Do beaked points actually stay in better once hooked do you think?

In reply to Post #29
Absolutely they do. Tbh I wouldnt even consider using a straight point straight eyed barbless hook as this pattern would be the most likely to come out imo.

Food for thought...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxGllV2Zc5o

In reply to Post #29
Yes mate I would only use beak points in barbless
They tend not to tear as well

In reply to Post #1
Got told once on a barbless only day ticket water on a rig check that my lovingly crushed barbs on my hooks weren't good enough and they had to be barbless hooks... didnt even warant it with an answer..

In reply to Post #33
Twynersh?

In reply to Post #34
I've used barbless now for a good 2 years , I can honestly say I've had no problem at all , I've been using the esp trigger hammers and the Korda Kurvs without a problem at all


If I get a fish I hve to change the hooks 95% of the time

In reply to Post #34
Go to the top of your class...

In reply to Post #36
He was a decent bloke but question his rules at your peril

He was quite happy with my filed off barbs, fishing there was probably the first time I'd done it

In reply to Post #1
I switched to barbless a while back, I've had no problems at all and so much easier to remove. Nash Fang X is a really nice, strong and sharp hook.

IMO no disadvantage to using barbless. Clean hookholds and no problems with losing fish