Saltwater Fishing 101
Saltwater Fishing 101
If you're new to saltwater fishing, the prospect of getting started can be daunting. There's a lot of equipment and tackle to choose from, and it can be tough to know where to start. But don't worry—at Eat My Tackle, we're here to help.
In this guide, we'll cover the basics of saltwater fishing, from choosing the right equipment to understanding the different types of sportfish that you might encounter. By the end, you'll be ready to hit the water with confidence and start reeling in some big catches. So let's get started!
What is Saltwater Fishing?
If you're used to freshwater fishing, there are a few things you should know about saltwater fishing before you get started. For one thing, the fish themselves are usually larger and more aggressive in saltwater than in freshwater. This means that you'll need stronger tackle to be able to handle them.
In addition, the environment itself is more challenging. The salt in saltwater can corrode your equipment, so it's important to choose materials that can withstand it. And because saltwater is denser than freshwater, your bait will sink more quickly—so you'll need to use heavier weights to keep it where the fish are biting.
Types of Saltwater Fishing
There are five main types of saltwater fishing: surf fishing, backwater and flats fishing, bay fishing, deep-sea fishing, and pier fishing. Let's take a closer look at each one.
Surf Fishing
Surf fishing is a popular type of saltwater fishing that can be done from the shore or from a pier. It's usually done in areas where there is a strong surf and potent waves, such as along the coast. The most common fish caught during surf fishing are bottom feeders, such as catfish, flounder, and drum. To catch these, you’ll need live bait. Common choices include sandworms, clam necks, and cut bait.
Backwater and Flats Fishing
Backwater and flats fishing takes place in shallower areas than surf fishing, such as inlets, bays, and lagoons. The fish that are most commonly caught in these areas are smaller—such as trout, redfish, and snapper—but they can still put up a good fight. With these types of fish, it is best to lure them with live bait—like shrimp, minnows, and crabs—rather than artificial bait.
Bay Fishing
Bay fishing is similar to backwater and flats fishing, but it takes place in larger bodies of water, such as harbors and estuaries. Striped bass, bluefish, and flounder are some of the most common fish caught in these regions, which are slightly larger species caught in backwater and flats.
You'll need a medium-weight rod and reel combination if you're fishing from a boat in the bay. You can use both live and artificial bait for this saltwater fishing trip. Some popular choices are worms, grubs, and lures.
Deep-Sea Fishing
Deep-sea fishing is a type of saltwater fishing that takes place in the open ocean. It's usually done from a boat, although it can also be done from a pier. Tuna, marlin, and swordfish are among the most popular deep-sea sportfish caught. Squid and mackerel both make good live bait for deep-sea fishing, but you can also use lures.
Pier Fishing
Pier fishing is a type of saltwater fishing that takes place from a pier or dock. It's a popular choice for those who don't have access to a boat. Saltwater game fish, such as trout, snapper, and bass, are the most frequently caught species of fish when pier fishing. You don’t need any complex forms of bait when pier fishing. You can use traditional tactics such as worms, grub, and lures.
Choosing the Right Saltwater Fishing Equipment
There are a few key pieces of equipment that you'll need for saltwater fishing:
Saltwater Fishing Rods
The type of saltwater rod you choose is dependent on whether you plan to fish with metal jigs, troll, or baitcast and where you plan on fishing. Additionally, what type of fish you’re aiming to catch is another factor to consider. With all of this in mind, here is a quick breakdown of saltwater fishing rod tips:
- Longer rods cast further, while shorter rods are more powerful for when fish put up a fight.
- When you are shopping for a rod and you come across the “power” label, this refers to the weight the rod is capable of lifting.
- Lastly, when choosing a rod, be sure to match the lure weight to the size of saltwater bait or lure you plan on using.
Saltwater Fishing Reels
Just like with the rods, the type of reel you use is based on your fishing style. And, similar to the rods, the power of the reel corresponds with the weight it can handle. Here are a couple fishing reel tips to help you make your decision on what type of reel to use on your saltwater fishing trip:
- High-speed reels are better suited for fast baits, whereas low-speed reels are more powerful for fighting the fish.
- Match the reel to the line weight of your rod.
- If you want to fish with lures, then you need a baitcasting reel.
- If you’re looking to fish with live bait, then you need a spinning reel.
- For trolling, you need a conventional reel.
Now that you know what type of equipment you need, it's time to start shopping! Eat My Tackle has everything you need to get started saltwater fishing.
Saltwater Fishing Rod and Reel Combos
What type of saltwater fishing trip you are going on will influence the rod and reel combination you use.
- To start surf fishing, you'll need a rod and reel combo that's designed for saltwater use. Luckily, at Eat My Tackle, we have combos specifically made for surfing.
- When backwater and flats fishing, you'll need a lighter rod and reel combo than you would for surf fishing. Eat My Tackle spinning rod combos are a good fit for this type of saltwater fishing.
- To start deep-sea fishing, you'll need a heavy-duty rod and reel combo. The best combination that meets this requirement is our dredge rod combos which are designed just for deep-sea fishing.
- Both bay fishing and pier fishing are optimized with a medium-weight combo. You could go a couple different routes here; at Eat My Tackle, we have conventional, straight, sabiki, and jigging rod and reel combinations that would all be good choices for either bay or pier fishing.
Saltwater Lures
What good is a rod and reel if you don't have any lures? At Eat My Tackle we have a wide variety of saltwater lures for you to choose from. Some of our most popular saltwater lures include:
- Daisy Chains — Daisy chains are a type of fishing lure that's made up of several smaller lures that are chained together.
- Dredges — A dredge is a type of fishing equipment that's used to drag bait or lures through the water.
- Teasers & Ilander Style Lures — These are both lures that mimic the movement of baitfish in water.
- Wahoo Lures — A wahoo lure takes the mimicry of a teaser to the next level. This is a type o f saltwater fishing lure that is designed to copy a baitfish’s appearance and movement.
If you're just getting started with saltwater fishing, we recommend trying a lure crate subscription. This way, you can test out different lures and find out which ones work best for you.
Fishing Tackle
Fishing tackle includes all of the necessary tools and equipment that you need to go fishing. This can range from lights to hooks. If there's one thing that we can help you with, it is finding tackle. It's literally in our name! Here is a quick look at the options you can find in our shop:
- Deep Drop Lights — Designed for use in deep water, these lights baitfish, which in turn attracts the larger fish that you're after.
- Fishing Kites — These are helpful in windy conditions because the kite lifts the line and bait up into the air so that it's not being blown around by the wind.
- Fishing Line & Leader — Fishing line is the main string that's attached to the reel and runs through the rod. The leader is a shorter, stronger piece of line that's attached to the end of the fishing line.
- Gaffs — Gaffs typically have a sharp hook or metal spike that is used to grab fish and help land them.
- Hooks — Arguably the most important piece of fishing tackle, hooks catch fish when they are bitten.
Fishing Accessories
There are a variety of fishing accessories that can make your saltwater fishing trip more enjoyable, or even help you catch more fish. Here are some of our favorite saltwater fishing accessories:
- Cast Nets — Cast nets are used to capture baitfish. They are often thrown by hand into groups of baitfish and then retrieved, with the fish being caught in the net.
- Fish Cooler Bags — These bags are designed to keep your catch fresh and cool. They typically have a thick layer of insulation and are waterproof.
- Rod Holders — Rod holders allow you to prop up your rod so that you can have both hands free. This can be helpful when baitcasting, when you need to tie a new lure onto your line, or if you just want to sit back and wait for a bite.
- Rod Swivels — A rod swivel is a small device that's attached to the end of your fishing line. It prevents the line from tangling and helps the lure move more freely in the water.
Whether you're a saltwater fishing novice or a seasoned pro, we hope that this guide has given you some helpful information. Be sure to check out Eat My Tackle for all of your saltwater fishing needs. And if you need help finding anything, just give us a call at (850) 312-0242 or email us at eatmytackle@gmail.com. We're happy to help!
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