Fishing Information

Saltwater Fly Fishing -- A Tide Runs Through It


Saltwater fly fishing is all the rage these days. This excitement is quite understandable because there's hardly anything more thrilling to a saltwater fly rodder than a bluefish blitz, a tailing red drum off the coast of NC, or a bonefish battle on the flats of south Florida waters.

If you are just getting started in saltwater fly-fishing, there are a few tips that will make your conversion from freshwater easier and more productive.

Get some gear just for fishing saltwater
You're best bet is to get another fly rod and reel for your saltwater fishing adventures. Your freshwater gear is undoubtedly going to be lighter than may be necessary to deliver that big fly in a stiff offshore breeze, and you're better off leaving your high-dollar equipment out of the punishing salt air.

Get a good 10 weight rod
There are a number of reasons you need to use heavier tackle. One is because you will need to make longer casts with larger flies in typically windy conditions. Another is because when you see that fish you need to deliver the fly IMMEDIATELY. Doing that will be considerably easier with heavier equipment.

Put your money in the rod
If you have to make a choice between spending money on rod or reel, choose rod. You can get away with a less expensive reel but you will not get the control you need with a cheap rod because it will flex more when you try to cast. The rod is more important than the reel.

Buy a reel made for fishing saltwater
You will still have to clean it after use but it will hold up better than one designed for freshwater.

Buy the best fly line you can afford
More expensive fly lines last longer and perform better than cheaper lines, it's as simple as that. Your lines are the one place you can't afford to pinch pennies. Also be sure to keep your lines clean and dressed with a good line dressing if you expect top performance from your lines.

Keep direct contact between your rod tip and fly.
Beginning saltwater anglers often do not realize the lighting speed at which a marine game fish is apt to strike. Every little bit of slack from our rod to the fly means a greater chance your hook-up will be unsuccessful.

Keep your rod tip pointed toward the water
Your best chance of hooking a saltwater game fish is by not lifting your rod from the water and setting the hook by stripping the line, keeping the rod pointed down before lifting it. Eliminate as much slack as possible between your rod and the fly and you will find your attempts will be more successful.

Try the shooting head system
Because of the heavy head section, a good caster can achieve a good 80 to 90 feet of distance with only one false cast. You may often find yourself in a situation where an 80 foot cast is sometimes not enough for open water fishing so a long cast with a shooting head is what is needed.

Fabulous flies
Keep in mind what your game fish eats and mimic it (most of the time). Sometimes the fish will only bite the bizarre, but usually you're better off with flies that look like minnows, shrimp, crabs, worms, and various other small saltwater creatures.

Whether you are just getting started and testing your fly-fishing "wings" or are a veteran who simply loves the sport, give saltwater fly-fishing a try this fall or spring. You'll be hard pressed to find a more exciting fly fishing adventure than a saltwater one.

E. A. Edwards is a free-lance writer with a variety of professional and personal interests. You will find more information about fly-fishing and fly-fishing gear on http://www.fly-fishing-guide.info


MORE RESOURCES:

Kayak fishing is catching on
Detroit Free Press, United States - 21 hours ago
Gizel, born in Yugoslavia to Romanian parents, started kayak fishing about six years ago after buying a boat to get some exercise. ...


Outdoors: Fishing Report for Jan. 9
Carson Times, NV - 3 hours ago
Fishing pressure has been very light. Three groups of fishermen have reported fishing the lake with only one group catching three fish to 1½ pounds. ...
Topaz Lake fishing opener a success Tahoe Daily Tribune
all 2 news articles


Fishing/hunting report
San Diego Union Tribune, CA - Jan 7, 2009
San Diego Fly Fishers sponsors a Lend-A-Rod program on Sundays from 10 am-2 pm, and it includes free bait and tackle and fishing tips. ...
Steve Merlo: Bass fishing event set for New Year’s Day at Nacimiento Bakersfield Californian
Fishing report: Fly fishing expert Dennis set to return San Luis Obispo Tribune
OUTDOORS: Weekly fishing report, Jan. 8 North County Times
Houston Chronicle - AZ Central.com
all 26 news articles


Examiner.com

Fly fishing pros provide tips and techniques to up your rod game ...
Examiner.com - 9 hours ago
by Michael Miller, Denver Fly Fishing Examiner As the Fly Fishing Show makes its annual appearance at the Denver Merchandise Mart, you have the chance to ...
Kamchatka is the ultimate fly-fishing adventure Post-Bulletin
all 2 news articles


OUTDOORS REPORT: Fishing, skiing conditions
Grand Forks Herald, ND - 7 hours ago
Despite the snow, plowed roads at Long Point and Zippel Bay north of Williams, Minn., are plowed and in good condition, and the fishing has improved since ...
Minnesota Fishing Report In-Forum
Fishing Report Daily Republic
all 9 news articles


FISH FORECAST: Good trout fishing is close by
Niagara Gazette, NY - 13 hours ago
By Bill Hilts Jr. Fishing has been inconsistent to say the least, but there has been some favorable fishing along some of the tributaries, believe it or not ...


Muskegon Chronicle - MLive.com

Ice fishing can get old while waiting for the call to go to work
WZZM, MI - 16 hours ago
(WZZM) - The old saying goes "a day spent fishing beats any day at work." But what if you haven't worked in a month? Some laid-off workers in Muskegon are ...
Unemployed find a little solace from job search on frozen lake Muskegon Chronicle - MLive.com
all 3 news articles


Boston Globe

Family pays tribute to men who died on fishing trip
Taunton Daily Gazette,  USA - 12 hours ago
7, as friends and family paid their respects to Russo, 36, and Orlando, 59, who died the previous Saturday while on a fishing trip 15 miles southeast of ...
Gloucester mourns for two fishermen Boston Globe
Report: Coast Guard didn’t quickly help MA boat Boston Herald
What took so long? Coast Guard didn't send help to Patriot for ... Gloucester Daily Times
Examiner.com - Boston Globe
all 35 news articles


Go indoors to enjoy the outdoors
San Francisco Chronicle,  USA - 21 hours ago
When the prospects for your bank account look like a view of Death Valley, fishing, hunting and the outdoors can be your refuge of hope, safety and joy - a ...
Fish wrap: International Sportsmen's Expo has something for everyone Marin Independent-Journal
all 3 news articles


Salt Water Sportsman fishing seminar coming to Palm Beach Gardens
Palm Beach Post,  United States - 11 hours ago
Regional experts include guides Ed Zyak and Mike Holliday, specialists in fishing the Indian and St. Lucie rivers for snook, spotted seatrout and tarpon. ...
Salt Water Sportsman Seminar Sun-Sentinel.com
all 2 news articles

Fishing - Google News

home | site map
© 2006