AlanB,
Surely, by now, we can accept that barbless is less damaging on fish? Not sure why a barbless hook would lead one to play a fish too long. That has not been my personal experience or my observation of others. The water I fish most is "barbless only". I think the State (and before it, the Conservancy) has good information on denying the use of barbed hooks. It only seems logical and reasonable to me.

All the flies sold in the fly shops near this river are barbless. I either use barbless hooks or bend the barb. Sometimes, I forget to do so at the vise and do so on the river with my hemostats. Quite easy to do........