barbless

American  

[bahrb-lis] / ˈbɑrb lɪs /

adjective

1. not equipped with a barb.

   barbless fishhooks.

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Etymology

Origin of barbless

First recorded in 1880–85; barb ¹ + -less

Example Sentences

This free event, presented by Battery Park City Authority, revolves around catch-and-release fishing, in which the quarry is caught with barbless hooks and returned to the river after observation.

From New York Times • Sep. 7, 2017

Remember, this is a barbless hook fishery and the guides I know are trying all kinds of hook arrangements to cut down on the number of fish lost by their clients.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 25, 2016

“You got to be right on them on those front rods,” Pitts said, explaining a noteworthy nuance of fishing with barbless hooks.

From Washington Times • Aug. 2, 2014

They follow the fish by day, catching them with barbless hooks, then anchor at night and turn off their 400-horsepower engine.

From Salon • Jun. 2, 2013

My hook was an ordinary flatted Kirby, about half the size of an English whiting hook; Nalik preferred one of his own manufacture, made from a strip of tortoise-shell, barbless and highly polished.

From "Martin Of Nitendi"; and The River Of Dreams 1901 by Becke, Louis