View Full Version : Canada barbless?
Planning a trip to Canada. Fishing is "barbless". Am I in trouble if there is a barbed hook in my tackle box (posession) or only for using a barbed hook? Whatever it takes, I'll comply with the law.
stewart
03-03-2002, 10:28 AM
In Manitoba only what is on the end of your line needs to be barbless. What's in your tackle box can be barbed. Baitholder barbs are ok. This is from last year's regs though.
Fred_G
03-03-2002, 10:30 AM
You can have them in your box, just be sure to pinch the barb when you tie the lure on. We've been doing this on Lake St Joseph for the past 3 years and it works fine. Doesn't seem like we lose any due to the barbless rule. I'm surprised more lakes aren't barbless. Have fun!
Fred
Backwater Eddy
03-03-2002, 11:31 AM
Consider stocking up on a selection of circle hooks in sizes suitable for the species you plan to target. For bait rigging barbless circle hooks perform extremely well. My brand name preference is Gamakatsu or Eagle Claw. You rarely loose a fish on a barbless circle hook once you understand how to use them properly.
The trick with circle hooks is to learn to NOT set the hook as you would a conventionally formed hook. You basically detect the strike and once you see the rod load up with weight you immediately reel in the fish. Do not let them run on a free line. Do not fill the throat of the circle hook up with bait, allow it plenty of room to function as it is designed to. The steady pressure of the retrieve is all it takes to hook the fish in the corner of the mouth. You will quickly see how efficient and effective they are on most every bait-rigging situation. Circle hooks are extremely fish friendly hooks, you very seldom see a gut hooked fish.
I also have found that you will up your odds on crankbaits with barbless hooks by replacing the factory rear treble hook, with a wide gap hook such as a triple grip. The deeper throat and slightly turned in angle of the point will lessen chances of a lost fish due to a rod rattling headshake at boat side.
Good luck in Canada & I hope this proves to be of help to you.
Backwater Eddy ~ ~ ~><sUMo> ~ ><>
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