Saltwater Fly Fishing Basics

Change Currency: GBP USD AUD NZD

Freshwater fly fishing is already one of the most rewarding fishing experiences available to anglers. Saltwater fly fishing is the logical next step for those who want to test and expand their skills with a new challenge. Taking your fly fishing to the sea means bigger fish, heavier weights, longer rods and heavier reels.

Fishing from a boat on the water also offers new challenges with less stability and nearly always some form of wind to contend with. It calls for more practice and patience, but for those that take to it, saltwater fly fishing can be an exhilarating way of applying your fishing skills. In this post, Trout Flies breaks down what saltwater fly fishing basics you need to successfully get out on the water.

Choosing the right rod, reel & line

Saltwater fly fishing basics start with the gear you’ll be using — and nothing is more important than the rod you use. You can use a wide variety of fly rods when fishing in the ocean, so don’t worry about the specifics too much. Before anything else, you must first choose a rod you are comfortable using.

Ideally, your choice of rod will be one that is versatile, as you can take the hobby to harbours, bays, estuaries and open water. This means having access to a wide range of fish — and while you are still testing the waters, it is better to take one rod that can handle everything rather than splashing out on multiple rods.

After this, choose a reel. Naturally, you will need a reel that matches the weight of the rod — otherwise, they might not work together. Then, you need to choose a drag type. These will either be centre or offset, with centre drag reels being slightly more effective and having extra stopping power, but this is less important, especially when starting out. Likewise, when choosing arbour sizes, you can simply take a mid-sized reel.

When it comes to the line, this is more specific to your fishing area. Many people prefer a full-sinking line, and the faster it sinks, the better. However, if you are fishing on flats, there may be better options. To choose a line, the best option is to speak to other anglers who fish in the area you want to use and see what they recommend.

Overall, the best basic set-up would be a versatile rod with a mid-arbour reel and a line chosen based on local advice. Top this off with your choice of flies, and you have all the gear you need!

Stability & space on deck

Choosing a boat for saltwater fly fishing can be challenging due to the different requirements for fishing in shallow inshore bays compared to deep blue offshore waters. In general, however, you’ll want to focus on three points:

Stability — Boats already move up and down enough on the waves, so you don’t need extra rocking from side to side. Choosing a stable boat will make it far easier to cast and reel in your catch.

Casting room — Both saltwater and freshwater fly fishing require ample space to cast the line, so you’ll want a boat that offers you a good position with plenty of room to get your line moving.

Storage — Having a dedicated place to store your gear while getting to and from your fly fishing location will make it much easier to avoid lines getting tangled, or gear being lost to an unexpected wave.

Unless you are fishing in a restricted area, you’ll want a boat that allows you to try out all the different options and find your preferences before going for something more specific.

Practice, practice & more practice

Many of the basics you’ll learn when fly fishing on rivers and inland waters carry over to the sea — just with a bigger, heavier rod. Before tackling saltwater fly fishing, it is a good idea to ensure you are not rusty on your casting technique, so head out to your local spot and get in some practice.

If you are a regular fly fisher, you’ll find only a gentle transition into saltwater. But if you’ve never taken up the hobby before, the best thing to do is try to go with an experienced saltwater fly fisher willing to help you learn.

For all the saltwater fly fishing basics that you need so you can get straight into casting, order from Trout Flies. As Australia’s leading online shop for fly fishing gear, we have all the saltwater fly collections, rods, and reels that you need to enjoy this thrilling pastime.

With fast delivery, buy now, pay later options and experts on hand to give you advice, there is no better place to get saltwater gear from. Order online or contact us today to get started!