Guide To Saltwater Fly Fishing – Introduction For Beginners
September 3rd, 2009 | Fly Fishing News | No Comments »
Saltwater Fly Fishing Rod - Orvis Helios Fly Rod
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. Its possible these days to catch a huge variety of saltwater fish with saltwater fly fishing methods – from fish found in shallow water, such as bonefish or tarpon, to deep water species, such as tuna or 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.
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. 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. The size of your fly, and conversely the size of your rod will be determined by these factors.
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. Your saltwater reel should only contain components that are saltwater resistant to prevent rust to your reel. 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. 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. Use bite tippets or shock tippets when you are going after fish species 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. After using your equipment, wash and rinse all equipment with a soapy cloth, then dry with a clean cloth and allow to air dry.