It’s a big ocean out there and learning saltwater fly fishing can be hard. These tips will get fish in your net quickly!
Saltwater fly fishing is an exciting and rewarding experience, and definitely worth giving a try! The thrill of spotting a whopping fish at a distance, throwing the perfect cast, and strip-setting that fish will give you an adrenaline rush like nothing else!
So if you want to give saltwater fly fishing a go for the first time or just learn some tricks and fishing tips for beginners to catch more fish out on the ocean, our helpful guide has everything you need. From where to fish and what you might catch, to the best saltwater fishing gear, fishing podcast, and how to master that tricky double haul, we’ve got you covered!
What Can You Catch in Saltwater?
So you want to know what you might catch when fly fishing on the ocean? Here’s a quick guide to the main types of gamefish you might come across:
Barracuda
When you’re going on saltwater fly fishing, you will often find barracuda when you’re going on flats. As they have great vision and can see up to 20 ft away, choose a clear line so as not to spook them, and tie on a needlefish fly for the best results.
Dorado
If you see dorado around, opt for darker flies that will make a splash and create a silhouette. These two techniques are sure to capture the dorado’s attention and draw it towards your fly.
Bonefish
When saltwater fly-fishing in tropical waters, bonefish are one of the most common gamefish you will see. Sight-fishing for bonefish is a lot of fun – try patterns that resemble the bonefish’s natural forage of crabs, shrimps, and other crustaceans.
Tarpon
Smaller tarpon will go for minnow and crab flies, but if you’re after the big ones, you will need to size up your patterns. Stock a few EP Tarpon Streamers and mouse pattern flies in your box so you’re ready if you spot a mighty tarpon on fly on the horizon.
Striped Bass
Large striped or peacock bass in particular will give you a run for your money, so make sure you have lots of backing on your reel. Lefty’s Deceivers and Clouser Minnow work well for hooking stripers. If you’re into peacock bass fly fishing, try to throw your line and your striper flies into moving waters and be prepared for a fight!
What do you Need for Saltwater Fly Fishing?
If you’re looking to get started in saltwater fly fishing then make sure you see our post on saltwater fly fishing gear for beginners. It runs through everything you need to know!
Even if you frequently fly fish in freshwater, you will need to invest in some specific equipment for saltwater fly fishing. You can get great fly gear and accessories designed especially for saltwater flies fishing much more easily than a few years ago. Whether you’re fishing from boats or you’re wading, your freshwater gear just won’t cut it out on the ocean.
You will need a fly rod designed especially for saltwater – they generally have larger butts to give you the power you need to make longer casts in potentially windy conditions. Stiff action rods are often recommended for saltwater fly fishing for beginners, although that can come down more to personal preference.
The size of saltwater fly rod you select will depend on what you’re hoping to catch. If you’re aiming for speckled trout, redfish, small bonefish or striped bass, you should be fine with an 8wt rod. But if you’re setting your sights on some hefty tarpon, permit, or barracuda, you’d be better off investing in a 9 or 10wt rod. 9 wt rods generally make good all-purpose saltwater fly rods.
When it comes to saltwater fly reels, you want one that is sealed so that it won’t be corroded by the abrasive salt in the water. Look for a reel with a strong drag and preferably a large arbor reel that will allow you to strip in your line quickly. Also, make sure the reel you choose can hold at least 150 ft of line and backing so you’re not cut short at a crucial point on your fishing trip!
Other than your rod and reel, you will need a floating line and a full fly fishing sinking line, depending on the conditions and what you’re fishing for. We would really recommend taking both so you’re prepared for every eventuality.
If you’re not sure what to take out with you on your next saltwater fishing trip, you can get some inspiration from this video!
How To Pick the Perfect Saltwater Fly Fishing Destination
When you’re saltwater fishing, you can often cover large areas before coming across the perfect spot to cast your line. You want to find where the fish are feeding rather than just casting blindly, or you will waste lots of time and have nothing to show for it. Shallow waters pull the gamefish in with the temptation of shrimp, crabs, and other crustaceans to feast on – but not all shallow waters are created equally.
Promising places include anywhere with structure that allows the gamefish to get close to their prey, such as rocky shorelines and outcrops, bays, docks, and jetties. These structures also provide shelter from any larger predators such as sharks, so they are likely spots for bonefish and other gamefish.
Keep your eye out for tell-tale signs, from the obvious – fish feeding at the surface – to the more subtle, such as the dark marks that bonefish leave on the seabed when they feed on crabs.
In warm, tropical waters, mangroves can often provide you with a rich environment for fly fishing for everything from barracuda to tarpon, redfish, and even sharks.
Choosing Saltwater Flies
It goes without saying that you will want to fill your fly box with patterns that are suited to the area you’re fishing in. Our top tip is to ask at a local fly fishing shop and which are the best saltwater flies they recommend, as it can vary widely from area to area.
The best saltwater flies will imitate the natural prey, so shrimp, crab, and other crustacean patterns are excellent choices. You will also want to stock up on baitfish flies too. Make sure you have a nice large streamer box for fly fishing to keep them all in too.
Another technique that experienced fly fishermen and women use is to match the color of the seabed with the color of their fly. Dark, weedy seabeds call for darker flies, whereas in sandy areas you should go for white or beige fly patterns.
Which fly you choose will also depend on whether you’re sight-fishing from a boat in shallow water, or if you need to get the fly down deeper to where the fish are. This calls for weighted flies and a sink line that will get the fly right in front of the fish just at the right moment to set off a chase.
When to go Saltwater Fly Fishing?
You will get more out of saltwater fishing if you can get your head around the tides and work out when the best times to fish are. Generally, you will find more gamefish if you hit the water at high tides rather than low tide, when the water is too shallow and dry for the larger fish that you’re after. One challenge when fishing at high tide is that it can be harder to spot the fish due to the deeper waters.
However, by far the most rewarding time to fish is when the tide is either coming in or going out. This water movement provides the richest feeding opportunities for the gamefish from striped bass to bonefish and even tarpon. In turn, this hikes your chances of coming across larger numbers of gamefish that you can tempt and chase with your flies!
Saltwater Fly Fishing Tips
Whether this is your first-time fly fishing in saltwater or you just want to learn some new tips or tricks, here are some of the techniques that experienced fly anglers use to catch more fish when fly fishing in the ocean! Give these tips a try and you should see some great progress and take your saltwater fly fishing experience to the next level.
Master the Double Haul Cast
The Double Haul cast is ideal when fishing out on the open ocean, because it is a strong, aggressive cast that can stand up to strong winds and long distances. If you plan on making saltwater fishing a regular thing, mastering the double hauling fly fishing cast is pretty much a necessity. With some practice