Anyone try barbless hooks?

[kcritch]

I fish barbless hooks on all of my plastics....especially Senko type baits that they seem to swallow without a tic quite often. I also release everything in fresh water and switched about five years ago for the same reasons. I just completely squash the barb on all my hooks when I get them so they are always ready. I have probably lost a few fish I may have landed over the years but mostly when I was being lazy and didn't anticipate the jump or head shake! I don't think the barb helps as much as people think in most situations. But I know I have removed dozens of hooks that I would not have been able too get out or that would have caused more damage and stress to the fish if the barb was in place. Hard baits and such I leave the barb as I have not had an issue with those baits. Except I do squash the barb if I use a trailer hook on a spinnerbait. . . which is very often. My opinion is the benefit far outweighs the chance of losing a fish here and there. Barbless really gets your heart pumping a little more when you got that big one at the boat that's for sure!