Man, that is a problem, isn't it? My kids have the hardest time with the barbless hooks, too. I try to help by taking the rod and making sure that there is a good hookset, then help them keep the rod tip up. I set the drag fairly light, and tell them to keep reeling no matter what. EVen then, we still lose 3/4 of the kids fish. No matter, they're still having fun.
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