Beginners Guide to Saltwater Fly Fishing

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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. 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. Before buying equipment, the angler must know the conditions that they intend fishing in, from sheltered to rough seas, and the size and species of fish they intend catching. 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. 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. 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. With the stronger winds and rougher seas encountered with saltwater fly fishing, weight forward lines are normally used to allow the angler to cast a longer distance. 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. 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.

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