Beginners Guide to Saltwater Fly Fishing

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.

Calm bodies of water that one can wade in are ideal locations to learn saltwater fly fishing for the novice fisherman. Inshore beaches, salt ponds, and rivers flowing into the sea are ideal. 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. 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. With saltwater fly fishing, your reel must have sufficient capacity for 100-300 yards of backing, your fly line, and 15 feet of leader. Its also a requirement that you have an excellent drag system on your reel.

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. To catch fish at a deeper level, some saltwater fly fishermen use an intermediate slow sinking line, whilst others use a sinking or sink-tip line. 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 use 6 to 10 feet of 25-30 pound strength leader, attached to about 3 feet of tippet with a 15 pound strength rating. 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 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. 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.