Barbless hooks are defined in the regs as "filed off or pinched down". The problem is that once you have done this, then it is still up to the warden to decide if your attempt at flattening the barb is sufficient. I have had some game wardens look at a pinched down and broken off barb while scratching their heads deciding if it is indeed barbless. Others have merely given it a quick glance to see that the effort was made while some will pull it through a wool glove or sweater and if it hangs up at all, well, better be ready to get cited. If you are paranoid then buy factory barbless hooks, just as long as they are VISION that is