who here crushes their barbs??

[Flaptail]

I crush them on everything, flies, plugs and jigs. A good angler will loose very few fish because of this and aside from it being easier to release fish it's also easier to release yourself when in the middle of the night you get gaffed by a stray barb. You will loose a few of course but not that many. Crushed barbs and a hand gaff for lipping in the dark in the surf. My hands are precious to me. It is espoecially handy when big bluefish are around. I ususally just let them throw the hook rather than f&*k with them then I move.