Saltwater Fishing for Beginners

The smell of the salty air; the warm ocean breeze on your face. What could be better on a hot summer day than being out on the ocean waters sipping down some ice tea and catching a marlin or a couple sea bass? All that sounds great, right? If you are a beginner to saltwater fishing, this article will give you a few tips on what to take along with you and why it is important to have certain items to ensure a successful catch.

Your Territory

The first place to start is figuring out what type of waters you will be fishing in and the types of fish that live there. For example, if you are fishing in Florida, off the Atlantic coast. you will come up against Sea trout, Tarpon, Spanish Mackerel, while offshore you may encounter Blue marlin, Swordfish and certain species of Shark.

For this article, we will look at the tackle box for the inshore angler, those who will fish near the shoreline.

Rods

A good inshore casting rod will be 6.5 to 7 feet in length, and made from durable materials like fiber, resin, stainless steel or titanium . Be sure the rod is specially designed to withstand salt water since salt is a corrosive. Be prepared to pay at least $69.00 minimum with a top of the line rod pricing in at $600.00. Remember, you get what you pay for.

Reels

Your reel is what drags the fish in for the catch. A quality reel will be one that has an excellent drag, and will accommodate a heavier line for larger fish. Reels that are dual speed are desirable, and give the angler better control. Again, be sure the reel is made from a durable material like the fishing rod.

Hooks and Sinkers

Hooks of course keep your catch on the line and sinkers put weight on your line and take it to a specified depth. Both are important and getting it right is key. for smaller fish, use smaller hooks and for shallow or surface (fly) fishing, so not use sinkers. For larger fish and to fish deeper, use a larger hook and a weightier sinker. This is true in both saltwater and freshwater angling.

Saltwater Fishing Line

Unlike fresh water line, saltwater line needs to be extra durable due to the wear and tear the salt water place on the line. Avoid line with micro-filaments if possible because of the high abrasion possibility, and be sure to use a line that you use is thicker and more durable than nylon line. Clear/blue fluorescent line works well in ocean waters because the sunlight bounces off the line on the surface, yet remains clear in the water. Again, you get what you pay for.

Lures

Using the correct lure for the type of fish you want to attract is key. Live bait such as shrimp, crayfish, crabs, oysters and lugworms works best and are universal bait for all types of fish, There are some high quality imitation lures that do an excellent job as well, however you must know which fish goes for specific baits. Some examples are spinner bait, crank bait, jigs and jerk bait. Depending on what fish you want, the depth of the waters will depend on the bait you use. Offshore Angler™makes an excellent selection of baits and lures and you can see examples of the lures and bait here.

Pliers

When you make the catch, nothing is more handy than a pair of sturdy pliers. Pliers help the angler remove the hook out of the mouth of the fish. The best pliers are ones that have an ergonomically correct grip, with a sharpening tool for the hook.

Protective equipment for you

Sometimes we get so excited about snagging a fish we forget that we need to protect ourselves during the day. Be sure to bring a good waterproof sunscreen of at least SPF 25, although the higher, the better. Furthermore, water is essential, especially when we are outside, exposed to salt water. In addition, polarized sunglasses should also be a must, followed by a good pair of work gloves in case your catch has sharp fins or is aggressive in any way.

The net

Nets are not necessary, but they can come in handy when your catch is less than enthusiastic about being your supper that night. A good quality net for saltwater fishing should be non corrosive and large enough to catch saltwater fish.

A Camera

Again, not a necessary piece of angling equipment, but a camera comes in handy when you are telling your fish story. Take a picture, show your friends, and invite them over to share in the catch. Most of all, enjoy your experience!