Guide to Saltwater Fly Fishing – Introduction for Beginners
Saltwater Fly Fishing Rod - Orvis Helios Fly Rod
Although saltwater fly fishing is a fairly modern sport, having only been introduced in the 1950s, it has become an exceedingly popular method to catch saltwater fish. Today saltwater fly fishermen catch a large variety of saltwater fish species, from tarpon and bonefish found in shallow flats, to deep water fish such as tuna and marlin. Saltwater fly fishing is now the fastest growing segment of the fly fishing industry, and this guide to saltwater fly fishing will give you a brief introduction to the sport.
For beginners, the easiest places to start with saltwater fly fishing are calm bodies of water that one can wade in, such as inshore beaches, rivers flowing into the ocean, and salt ponds. Its also easier fishing from jetties or from flats near to shore than deep-sea fishing.
Saltwater Rods, Reels and Lines
Saltwater fly fishing requires specialized equipment, but fortunately due to the increased popularity of the sport, equipment for any budget is now available. You need to know what type of fish you want to catch (size and species), and the fishing conditions that you will be fishing in (rough or calm) before you go out and buy fly fishing equipment. These factors will determine the size of the flies being used, along with the size of the rod.
Saltwater fly rods range between 7-weight to 12-weight, and are normally between 8 to 10 feet in length. When buying a saltwater rod, remember to get one with stainless steel guides, so they don’t rust, and its advisable to get a rod with a padded fighting butt which can be fixed or removable.
Saltwater fly reels are normally better quality than freshwater fly reels. It is important to ensure that all your fly fishing reel’s components are saltwater resistant, so your reel wont rust. It is recommended that your saltwater fly reel have an excellent drag system, and provide enough line capacity for your saltwater fly line, 100-300 yards of leader, and 15 feet of backing line.
The saltwater fly line most commonly used is a floating line, which is used to catch fish near the water’s surface and for shallow water fishing. An intermediate, slow sinking line is sometimes used by some fishermen, whilst others use a sinking (or sink-tip) line to target deeper fish. With the stronger winds and rougher seas encountered with saltwater fly fishing, weight forward lines are normally used to allow the angler to cast a longer distance. The line weight normally matches the rod weight, but sometimes a slightly heavier line is used, especially in windy conditions. When buying saltwater flies for saltwater fly fishing, consult local experienced anglers or local tackle shops for advice on what flies work best.
Leaders and Tippets
With saltwater fly fishing, your leader is generally heavier and shorter than a leader used in freshwater fly fishing, as saltwater fish don’t spook as easily as freshwater fish. Using 25-30 pound strength leader, you can use 6-10 feet of leader, which you will then tie to 2-3 feet of 15 pound tippet line. When catching fish with strong teeth, it’s recommended that you use shock tippets, or bite tippets. The same knots used for freshwater fly fishing can be used for saltwater fly fishing – the Arbor Knot, Albright Knot, Nail Knot, Double Surgeons Knot, and the Improved Clinch Knot.
Shooting Basket
It’s recommended that you get a shooting basket for saltwater fly fishing, which is used to keep the fly line from becoming tangled up around your feet, boat cleats and other objects on a boat. Whilst wading in the water it will allow you to make longer casts, because as the line is out of the water, the drag resistance is less.
Caring for Your Equipment
Saltwater fly fishing equipment requires more care than freshwater equipment to ensure that the equipment does not corrode and rust. Once you have finished with your fishing, rinse out all your equipment, and wipe with a soapy cloth. Wipe your equipment with a clean cloth, then allow to dry.
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