Quote:
Originally Posted by Steven Noel
If being barbless saves one fish so that it can be caught and enjoyed again, then it was worth it.
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This is exactly what I mean. Anglers and fishermen don't get it. It is not science based. Saving one fish - geez. Look at the hundreds of wasted fish by commercial fishermen. Wouldn't it be better to fix that? So, here are a couple of mortality issues.
1) When a fish is played to long - it usually dies from distress. Guess what - barbless hooks cause us to play the fish longer. People don't horse the fish to the boat as it is easier to lose them - thus, more fish death.
2) We need to get serious here - not every fishermen is C&R. If you are keeping what you catch, you need to get it to the boat for landing. If it is the wrong species - that fish will have been played far to long in the barbless case.
3) In the National Parks - you can fish with barbs. On the Govt. of Canada website - they describe it as a choice and agree there is no evidence that suggest the fish will survive better but comment that if you are a C&R fishermen, it is easier for you to remove the hook.
If you are a C&R fisherman, barbless should be preferred regardless of the law, you will not overplay the fish and if you lose him on the way in, no loss as it saves you from removing the hook. If not, the law is simply a way for the government to put their hand in peoples pockets for no reason.