Beginners Guide to Saltwater Fly Fishing

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Beginners Guide to Saltwater Fly Fishing

Wednesday, August 26th, 2009 Subscribe To Our Feed

Saltwater Fly Fishing Rod - Orvis Helios Fly Rod

It was in the 1950s when people first started saltwater fly fishing, and in a relatively short period of time has gained in popularity, and today has become one of the most popular means of catching saltwater fish. Nowadays saltwater fly anglers can catch many species of saltwater fish, from deep water fish such as marlin or tuna, to shallow water fish such as bonefish or tarpon. 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. Fishing from flats near the shore, and from a jetty is easier than fishing from a boat at sea.

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. Before buying equipment, the angler must know the conditions that they intend fishing in, from sheltered to rough seas, and the size and species of fish they intend catching. These two variables will determine the size of the rod you use, as well as the size of fly you use.

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. When you buy a reel, make sure that all the reel’s components are saltwater resistant so it won’t 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. Some fishermen use an intermediate line that sinks slowly, and others may use a sinking line or sink-tip line to try and catch fish at deeper levels. Generally weight forward lines are preferred in order to be able to cast a decent distance with the strong winds and with the rougher water encountered on the sea. 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. You can use 6 to 10 feet of 25-30 pound strength leader, attached to about 3 feet of tippet with a 15 pound strength rating. It is a good idea to use shock tippets (or bite tippets) when you plan on catching fish with strong teeth. 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. Its also useful to keep the line out of the water whilst wading, which allows you to make longer casts because of the reduced drag resistance.

Caring for Your Equipment

Saltwater fly fishing equipment requires more care than freshwater equipment to ensure that the equipment does not corrode and rust. You must rinse all your fly fishing equipment after use, using cloth and some soap, then wipe with clean cloth and allow to dry.

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