I am new to tying and I am trying to make some micro-jigs with glass bead heads. I am using size 8 and size 10 hooks. I purchased a bunch of glass beads in the 4mm - 5mm size. Now that I have these beads I do not seem to be able to put the barb of the hook through the eye of the bead.

Is there a trick to this or can you only use barbless hooks with glass beads? Thank you all for your help.

A guy asked me the other day, "Where are the fish bighting?"
I responded, "In the upper lip!"
__ ___ __ ___ __ ___ __ ___ __ ___ __ ___

I have a bait soooo secret, not even the fish know about it!

One thing to do is get a hook file and file down the barb until the bead fits. Or bend the barb like I usually do and then bend it back. I use the point of my bodkin to bend it back and some hemostats to bend it down.

A lot of barbs are bigger than they need to be anyway, so if you carefully file it down, the hook might be better than when you bought it. A good hook file should do this pretty fast. Most hook files have a coarse side and that will remove metal quickly. Use the fine side to finish off. A hook file is good to own if you don't already have one. Some hooks aren't very sharp to begin with, so you can quickly sharpen them with a file. I carry a file with me and use it frequently while fishing. One strike with an oyster and the hook needs sharpening.

Karstopo, thanks for the advice. It worked like a charm. From now on I will not purchase beads with only a 1mm hole. After a little research on the internet I found plenty of beads with 1.5mm - 2.0mm holes that will minimize this problem.

I am eager to get tying. I have 1,000 size 8 hooks showing up by Wednesday the 18th but I will be tying up a few of the hooks that I have in my tackle box between now and then. I want to see if I can replicate some of the flies and micro jigs that I remember my Grandfather tying.

Thanks again and remember to leave a few for seed!

Mash the barb down and leave it down. Easier to release a deep-hooked fish and easier to remove the fly from kayak grab handles, clothing, and skin. As long as you don't make a habit of throwing slack to the fish you will land just as many as you did with barbs.

why even fishing with barb??
No barb hook will help you unhook the fish easily.
Some fish's jaw is fragile as hell they will be dead after all the hassle.

I always mash the barb in the jaws of the vice before tying. You will be so happy you did that the first time you sink the hook into your finger or some other part of your body. Not to mention even your clothing. Not having a barb will also allow the hook to sink into the fish easier and with a tight line the fish is not going to get off.