Barbless Jigs for Catch-and-Release Trout
The short answer: yes, you can fish a Zig Jig in catch-and-release and single-barbless-hook water. Every Zig Jig has a single hook, so all you do is pinch the barb flat with pliers or hemostats and you're legal. Many guides and customers fish them barbless all the time.
Not just for fly anglers
A lot of anglers think only fly fishermen can fish restricted catch-and-release areas well. Not anymore. A hand-tied marabou jig on a light spinning rod is one of the most effective ways to fish these stretches, and the Zig Jig's offset head keeps it zig-zagging through the strike zone like wounded prey on every drop.
Always check your local regulations before you fish. Some catch-and-release water also limits lure size, scent or tackle type.
How to make a Zig Jig barbless
- Grab a pair of needle-nose pliers or hemostats.
- Squeeze the barb flat against the hook point. You don't need to file it off.
- Check it by running the hook lightly across a cloth. It should slide out without catching.
Why we fish barbless anyway
Barbless is easier on the fish, and it's easier on you. You usually don't even have to touch the fish: slide your hand down the line, grab the jig head and give it a gentle twist, and it comes right out. When you're unhooking 75 to 100 fish a day for a couple of days, your fingers will thank you.
Will I lose more fish?
Not if you keep your line tight. From years of fishing barbless, we don't lose any more fish than we do with a barb. With no barb, the hook can even penetrate better when you set it on the pop.
How to fish it in catch-and-release water
Use the same pop-and-drop retrieve you'd use anywhere. Cast across the current, let it sink to within 3 to 6 inches of the bottom, pop it, then drop the rod tip and reel in the slack as it falls. About 90% of strikes come on the drop. See the full step-by-step guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Zig Jig a single hook?
Yes. Every Zig Jig is tied on one Mustad Ultra Point hook, so it works anywhere single-hook rules apply once you pinch the barb.
What weight should I use?
Most river trout fishing is done with 1/16 or 1/8 oz. Go to 1/4 oz in high water, and use our micro jigs for clear, skinny water and pressured fish.