Beginners Guide to Saltwater Fly Fishing
Saltwater fly fishing was introduced in the 1950s, and so is therefore quite a modern sport. It has gained in popularity, and today is a very popular means of catching 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. The conditions that you intend fishing in, from rough to sheltered water, and the type of fish that you are trying to catch, determine the type of fly fishing equipment you should buy. 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. It is important to ensure that all your fly fishing reel’s components are saltwater resistant, so your reel wont rust. Its essential that your reel has a very good drag system and sufficient line capacity for at least 100-300 yards of backing line, your fly line, and up to 15 feet of leader.
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. In order to cast a reasonable distance, especially in the stronger winds and choppier water found in the sea, weight forward lines are normally used. 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 attach 6-10 feet of leader (25-30 pound strength) to your tippet. You can use 2-3 feet of tippet (15 pound strength). 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. Whilst wading It also allows you to keep the line out of the water so you can make longer casts with less 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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