Has anyone tried reducing the size of the barb on a spinner bait?  The one's I have seem to be larger than necessary making it difficult to release the fish.  Unfortunately, due to the design of this lure changing the hook is not an option.

I've never seen such a thing but it's not a bad idea.  I agree, the barbs on (most) baits are too large.

Why not crimp them down? Now you are going to tell me about how you'll loose soooo many fish doing that.

I crimp down the barb on all my hooks with the exception of the DS. Loose very few fish. And so what if I do loose an occaisional fish? Is it all THAT important?

Is it all THAT important?

Maybe.  If there is money on the line.  

Thanks for the input.  Crestliner:  I'm going to try filing one down and see what happens.  I don't necessarily want to eliminate the barb, just reduce it about 50%.  I'll let you all know how it goes.

JF, that large barb on that large hook may account for more lost fish than the same hook without a barb due to lack of hook penetration.

No, that's why you lose fish.  That's why I set the hook, LOL.  I rarely lose spinnerbait fish.  But if it makes you more confident, bend and file away.

I can buy the story that better fisherman can fish barbless and not lose manyy or even any fish, but I cannot see the logic behind a barbed hook reducing hook-up or landing percentages.

It don't make "no cents" to me...

8-)