Saltwater Fly Fishing is one of those things that every trout angler daydreams about at some point. Usually thoughts of walking along a s...
Saltwater Fly Fishing is one of those things that every trout angler daydreams about at some point. Usually thoughts of walking along a sandy beach, sipping a cold beer, and sight casting to monster fish start to trickle into my head around November; when trout are harder to catch and steelhead are getting impossible to find locally. The excitement of not knowing what you are going to catch intrigues a lot of saltwater anglers, that combined with the difficulty of catching a specific species that seems impossible to find or stalk when you are actually targeting them. Few of us get the opportunity to throw a fly in the salt, and fewer of us actually get the opportunity to land a fish in the salt. However, opportunities are actually easier to come by than one would think. Literally, anytime you are located near the salt is a great time to give saltwater fly fishing a shot. The nice thing about saltwater is there is almost always a chance to catch something, from Rock Bass to Surf Perch and Bonefish to Permit, the ocean is abundant with a variety of species to go after. The main issue I find that many freshwater anglers have when it comes to saltwater fly fishing is they never quite know how to start. So in this post, we will go over gear, both what you should have, and what you can use to get by, typically fishing techniques, and what to look for.
To start the gear..... In any sport, the gear you use can make a major difference between enjoying your day and having an extremely frustrating time. It can also be the barrier of entry, let's face it all fly fisherman would love to try saltwater fishing, but once you sit down and look at the cost, plus the knowledge needed it can be overwhelming. Now every angler has a set budget that they can spend on gear and I personally try my best to select gear that I can use in a variety of situations.
The Rod
If you are reading this chances are you are already an avid trout fisherman and most likely have a 9' 5 weight (or a trout rod that is very similar). That, unfortunately, will not cut it in the salt, the good ole 5 weight is going to be too light to cut through the wind and throw heavier flies further distances. We highly suggest bumping yourself up to a 9'-10' 7wt or 8wt. This rod is one that you can use for a variety of situations; 7wts make great bass rods, streamer rods, and light steelhead use, while 8wts are can also target large carp, large mouth bass, pike, smaller musky, and great for steelhead/salmon. Pick a rod that compliments your casting style and is saltwater compatible. The majority of the rods on the market today over 7wt typically are saltwater safe but just double check the reel seat is anodized and the guides are plated. The Fenwick Aetos at $189.95 is a bargain, it is a great entry level rod and has a medium/fast action that is forgiving and user-friendly. The Redingon Vise at $199.95 is also a great option for those looking for a fast action rod.
The Line
Fly line is probably the second most important piece of the puzzle after your rod, and where we highly suggest spending the extra $$$ if need be. Now if you are doing a DIY trip or day of fishing chances are your standard weight forward fly line will do the trick. However, if you are going to somewhere that is fairly hot and plan on fishing off of rocks, a boat, a dock, or any surface that gets hot, a tropical line will do wonders. The reason being is tropical fly lines have a specialty coating that allows them to withstand the hotter temps, particularly those temps that are achieved on a boat deck in 90 degrees plus weather. Standard lines will start to become sticky and will greatly reduce the life of your line. Before you head out on your next trip it is probably best to give us a call and make sure that your line will work. Lines can range from $40 to $130, and there are tons of options with lines designed for specific species. If you only going a few days a year a Rio's Mainstream Saltwater Fly Line is fairly inexpensive at $39.95 (when compared to other lines) and is an economical general purpose line. Scientific Anglers Mastery Grand Slam at $79.95 is also a great option for those looking for a general purpose saltwater line, it will have a slicker coating and color changes when your head ends making it easier to tell how much line is out.
The Reel
For a reel, many folks think they have to a sealed drag system, while in a perfect world that would be great, it is not necessary (especially for the DIY'er). Taking simple precaution can keep a regular disc drag in great condition and save a couple hundred bucks. 1) Do your best not to get the reel in the sand, if you're taking a break from the water set it on a towel or place a reel pouch around it. 2) When your done fishing make sure to give your reel a good rinse off, pull the spool off the reel and thoroughly rinse off any saltwater residue that may have accumulated on it during your time on the water. Doing both of those things should insure that your reel remains safe during saltwater use. The main thing you want out of your reel is stopping power. As a trout fisherman I typically strip line in when a fish is hooked rather than reeling the fish in. While this can be the case when fishing saltwater, you want to make sure the reel you use has a drag that can put the breaks on a fish if need be. Big Y Standard Reel's have done the trick more than once, while it doesn't have a sealed drag it does have some serious stopping power and is a great option for the casual saltwater fisherman. For those looking to step it up a bit, Redington's Grande Reel is another great option starting at $299.95. This reel contains a sealed powerful drag and plenty of room for backing, it is also what we suggest those going after Tarpon, Roosters, GT, or any other big powerful fish use.
Leader and Tippet
Depending on where and what you are fishing for will depend on the leader and tippet needed. For example, those fishing for a fish with sharp gill plates, spines and/or teeth a shock leader like Rio's Saltwater Light Shock Leader is a must (think Snook and small Tarpon). For extremely toothy fish a wire style tippet like Rio's Toothy Critter is a must (think Barracuda). For most other species a Rio Saltwater Leader will work great (stripers, reds, rockfish, bones, permit, etc), however, there are a slew of leaders designed for specific saltwater species as well. I typically buy a leader or two (depending on the species I am targeting) and don't bother with the tippet. Chances are I am fishing for a few days and even if I switch out my flies several times I typically can make a leader or two last the duration of the trip. If you are doing a lot of saltwater fishing, then grab a spool or two of tippet material, however, chances are a lot of that tippet is going to sit in the bottom of a closet and go bad before it is ever completely used up. The main thing here is to grab a leader/tippet material specifically designed for saltwater applications. They tend to be a bit stiffer which helps turn over flies in the wind, and a bit more abrasion resistant which is great for fishing around sharp rocks or corals.
The Flies
Fly selection is one of those questions we get asked A LOT, and it can differ quite a bit depending on species, location, and time of year. Many saltwater species only target certain food sources when they are abundant and that can change depending on the time of year. That being said you want to find out what the fish are feeding on and where they are feeding. Typically most fish in the salt feed on baitfish and crustaceans. An angler will do best making sure to have a selection of both. I personally have a go to saltwater box that is stocked with a variety of baitfish and crustacean patterns. I then typically swing by a local fly shop to pick up a few more patterns and try to get on tips on where the fish are.We offer a variety species specific assortments that can also help narrow down the selection and get you in the ball park as well.
Other Gear
There is a slew of other gear that any fly shop would be happy to sell you but the two main things we are going to look at here are sun protectants and stripping baskets. If there is one thing I hate about being in the sun to long it is a nasty sun burn, and nothing can ruin a trip faster than getting one. We highly suggest grabbing some good ole sunscreen and giving yourself a solid lathering throughout the day. For those with more sensitive skin you are in luck, there are literally thousands of options out there apparel wise that will keep you covered, cool, and protect, many of which can be found at Big Y. A second part of the salt water "apparel" is the stripping basket. These aren't always necessary and in some cases can be more hassle than help, but if you are fishing the surf you will quickly see your stripped in line going all over the place, spending countless precious minutes getting it untangled. Additionally, when fishing near any rock structure where distance is needed you will find the same thing. A stripping basket can feel and look a little goofy at first, but in the long run are well worth it. We offer a collapsible version that can easily fit into a duffel bag or suitcase here.
Fishing Techniques
The hardest change for me as a trout/steelhead guy is switching to streamer tactics. While I fish streamers on lakes from time to time, the stripping concept is one that I am never quite sure I am doing right until I start hooking fish. The key is to change it up until you find what works. There are many ways to strip line back but a couple that have produced wonders for me are as follows. Figure 8 Retrieves, when stripping the line back wrap the line up and over your forefinger then down and around the bottom three. This technique is great for a steady retrieve and keeps any excess line from tangling around your feet. However, there are many times when a steady retrieve just won't do the trick. Quick and or long strips can replicate a fleeing fish. You can also throw in a twitch when stripping IE lift the rod tip in a quick aggressive short stroke, this helps give the appearance of a wounded fish. However, I have found that the number one thing trout guys don't do enough when stripping flies is pause. Fish often pause when they are wounded, or just going from place to place. Often times it is at the pause that you get the fish.
The other thing that tends to mess me up is the set. As a trout guy I am used to holding the line and lifting the rod to set the hook, what we would call a trout set. However, when you try to do this on the salt it will typically cause the fly to be pulled start out of the flies mouth. The solution? A strip set. Instead of lifting the rod wait for some tension then pull the line as if you were stripping more back. Wait for the fish to turn and start to pull back then lift the rod and start your fight. This will lead to a fly securely set in the corner of the fishes mouth. It tends to be one of the more difficult things to do in the moment as it goes against your natural instincts as an angler. However, once you get the hang of it you will find yourself getting a much higher hookup rate.
What To Look For
This too can be a bit more difficult things for a trout fisher to learn/do. You are used to rivers with water moving in one direction, combined with the fact you know what water to look for to see where fish typically hold. Walking up to the beach you quickly realize just how vast the ocean really is and finding where to even start can seem like a daunting task. However, it doesn't have to be. Saltwater species like freshwater species are going to move and change their behavior depending on the time of year. They will move to spawn, and move for food. When they are doing either of these things they can typically be seen when on foot or in a boat. Fishing jumping out of the water is usually a good sign, seeing wakes in the surface where logically there shouldn't be any is also a good sign. Seeing unexplained destruction in sand or seagrass is also a good sign. A lot can depend on the specific species. Be sure to do some research on the location you are traveling too can save you some serious time.
If your walking along and aren't seeing fish activity look for structure, particularly where you have some water moving in or out. Fish love structure is no matter what water they are in. If on the beach look for rocks or coral beds, areas fish can find food and cover. If in a lagoon or bay look for fallen trees, docks, bridges, or other man-made structures. Jetties can also be a good source of fish activity. Lagoons tend to be my favorite locations to look as they tend to hold a large variety of species, they typically have dykes and/or trail you can walk along allowing you to get a higher up advantage than fishing the surf. They also tend to have irrigation tunnels running under then which can be a huge intersection for fish. I have seen snook longer than my arm stacked up in these tunnels waiting for mullet to get flushed to them. The big ones take the front of the line and are impossible to present a fly too, however, the smaller ones behind them can be a ton of fun. That being said those areas (especially in areas in the South East) can also be full of alligators and snakes, so watch your step and make sure to look around before stepping into the water. Lagoons and bays also tend to have a higher trash content than the beach so be sure to do your part and help leave the place a bit cleaner than when you got there.
There you have it, a brief overview of saltwater fishing. While there is more than one way to skin a cat, the outline above should get help get you pointed in the right direction. Saltwater fishing doesn't have to be as daunting as it might seem, and let's face there is nothing worse than the "I wish I brought a rod feeling". So anytime I am near a coast I make sure to bring a fly rod, reel, and line. I may or may not use it, and chances are if I do use it I am not going to catch a bunch of fish. However, if I have a chance to spend a day in a lagoon or bay you bet I am going to take it. If I get a chance to fish the surf, even better. Something about looking out on the waves, feeling the sand between my toes, sipping a cool beer from time to time while working on my double haul is (in my opinion) one of the sweetest parts of life. Good luck out there.
