Need some info on regs. I did a search on the WDFW website and came turned up some really old ,1997, articles.

What's the ruling for using barbed hooks in:
1. Puget Sound
2. Ocean areas
3. lakes and rivers

I remember hearing something about this regulation but can't remember what it was.

Trying to stay legal,
Thanks!

You can download the new 2002-2003 regs at:

http://www.wa.gov/wdfw/fish/regs/fishregs.htm

If you just use barbless hooks all the time you don't have to worry about it. It's really not that hard and it's kinder to all fish. Just try using them for awhile, you'll see they are just as good so long as don't let your line go slack which you shouldn't do anyhow. If you feel you'd rather use the barbs if you can Dan posted that link for you. Good luck and thanks for the great question. We are here to help.

Go barbless all the way! It's the only way to be sure you're always legal on the issue. You can't even use barbed hooks for ling's any more in PS.

If you know how to play a fish you won't have much of a problem with barbless hooks, if you need to get better at it, then barbless is the way to learn.

Haven't used barbed hooks for about 5 years now and still land plenty of fish. The only thing is I wish more mfg's, would make them that way to begin with!

I have to agree with the last two posts..I have caught more fish using barbless than without.A long rod helps (9' or longer).I have to agree with the availability though,not enough availability,I guess it would be fair to say that I fish pinched barbs.Adds to the fun!

From my observation it's interesting that most anglers don't have a problem going barbless in the saltchuck for salmon, but as soon as someone mentions barbless in rivers for steelhead and salmon it seems to be a problem? Just curious, anyone have a perspective why?

No problem here with barbless in the rivers.....I screw up and cracker one off...I just keep fishing for the next one

You could always check the regs before you head out

Try the Gamakatsu barbless hooks, they work great. While fishing these at Westport, where it is very important to release unmarked fish, they hold great. Sometimes just for the heck of it and for the sake of experimentation, I slack line these fish to see if they will release themselves. Most often I have to use the de-hooking device provided by WDFW to get them off the hooks.

Steve

Stifler, you are correct about checking the reg's before you head out. But check for all the other stuff that you actually need the regs for like size limits, catch limits, open waters, closed waters....yada...yada...yada!

Barbs on hooks are a non-issue, well for me anyway.

Might I also suggest taking a look at the WDFW web site before you head out. That last minute change NOT covered in the reg's, could mess up your day too!.

thanks everyone for the input. I plan on fishing barbless from here on out. It's probably the safest way to ensure compliance plus I'm sure the fish appreciate not having that buzzsaw in their mouths.

OK, stupid question, Steve: what is the de-hooking device provided by WDFW? I can't help but feel that I'm missing a good inside joke here.

No inside joke SteelieDan, its the expensive 22 inch wood dowel. You know the one that they put the fancy gold cupboard hook on for us to release and measure blackmouth, etc. They usually give them out at some of the sports shows and local marinas. They do work great though!

Ng

Hey! J. S.!!
It's good to use barb-less hooks all the time because the hook goes in (penetrates) easier. On the other hand it ALSO comes OUT a lot easier (like when yer jiggin fer salmon @90+ ft, or when "Ike" decides to do the triple roll w/a double summersault). Also by just goin barb-less you may be violating a weird reg that limits the distance from the hook point to the shank of the hook. ALWAYS check the reg.s well in advance of departing (yeah, i s'pose u live in forks and don't have ta travel...)on a fishin trip! Altho it sometimes seems futile -- like when me and the ol lady went fishin on the sol duc and it was illegal to keep silvers (checked the regs the nite fore we left) and after releasin about ten of em we found out that we coulda kept two a piece...! Anyway I can't recommend strongly enough that you check the regs before even startin to plan a trip and every time that you go fishin!!

Sincerely,
Roger