Tip Fly
Guide to Saltwater Fly Fishing – An Overview for the Novice
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. Its possible these days to catch a huge variety of saltwater fish with saltwater fly fishing methods – from fish found in shallow water, such as bonefish or tarpon, to deep water species, such as tuna or marlin. 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. Its also easier fishing from jetties or from flats near to shore than deep-sea fishing.
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. You need to know what type of fish you want to catch (size and species), and the fishing conditions that you will be fishing in (rough or calm) before you go out and buy fly fishing equipment. 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. When you buy a reel, make sure that all the reel’s components are saltwater resistant so it won’t rust. Its essential that your reel has a very good drag system and sufficient line capacity for at least 100-300 yards of backing line, your fly line, and up to 15 feet of leader.
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. An intermediate, slow sinking line is sometimes used by some fishermen, whilst others use a sinking (or sink-tip) line to target deeper fish. 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. It is a good idea to use shock tippets (or bite tippets) when you plan on catching fish 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. After using your equipment, wash and rinse all equipment with a soapy cloth, then dry with a clean cloth and allow to air dry.
Flite Test – Simulator Flying – FLITE TIP
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NEW! REDINGTON VOYANT 690-4 6WT FLY ROD – FREE SHIPPING! $189.95 |
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Fast Fly Logic 8’9″ 4/5 Weight 2 Pc Fishing Rod Building Kit Cork Guides Seat $89.00 |
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NEW! REDINGTON VOYANT 696-4 6WT FLY ROD – FREE SHIPPING! $189.95 |
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Gremlin Emerald Matrix 5 piece/6-7 weight/9 foot Graphite Fly Rod[no reel] $31.00 |
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NEW! REDINGTON VOYANT 6100-4 6WT FLY ROD – FREE SHIPPING! $189.95 |
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Vintage Anson Fishing Pole Rod Reel Tie Clasp Fisherman Fly $24.99 |
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NEW! REDINGTON VOYANT 790-4 7WT FLY ROD – FREE SHIPPING! $189.95 |
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6 Egg Sucking Hareball Leech Steelhead Salmon Spey Fly Fishing Flies Hook Rod $8.99 |
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6 Babine Specials Fly Fishing Flies Steelhead Salmon Spey Rod Reel LIne Alaska $7.99 |
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VINTAGE BAMBOO HARDY (W.F. HARDY) 3piece 8 1/2 FT FLY ROD $25.00 |
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6 Kami Killer Fly Fishing Flies Steelhead Salmon Spey Rod Reel LIne Alaska Hook $7.99 |
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orvis helios 8wt switch rod $550.00 |
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NEW! REDINGTON VOYANT 7100-4 7WT FLY ROD – FREE SHIPPING! $189.95 |
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G Loomis Fly Fishing Vest $31.00 |
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NEW! REDINGTON VOYANT 890-4 8WT FLY ROD – FREE SHIPPING! $189.95 |
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NEW! REDINGTON VOYANT 990-4 9WT FLY ROD – FREE SHIPPING! $189.95 |
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NEW! REDINGTON VOYANT 1090-4 10WT FLY ROD – FREE SHIPPING! $189.95 |
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Mini Fishing Fish Rod Pen Reel Pole Fly Stick Ice Gift $0.99 |
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2012 Eagle Claw Feather Light Fly Rod 8′ NEW $29.99 |
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New Fly Logic FLO+ 9′ 12 Wt 3 Pc Fishing Saltwater Rod Big Game Graphite Fast $289.99 |
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Vintage H.L.Leonard “Baby Catskill” 37H 6ft 1.9oz Bamboo Fly-Fishing Rod $2,690.00 |
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New SAGE Vantage 586-4 8′ 6″ 5 wt 4 pc fly fishing rod —-Free US Shipping $250.00 |
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NEW! REDINGTON VOYANT 376-4 3WT FLY ROD – FREE SHIPPING! $189.95 |
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Ebisu Vintage Fishing Rod 7′ bamboo? 2 piece $299.99 |
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Okuma Aventa Center Pin 15-Feet 4-8-Pounds Rod (Light Action) $9.48 |
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7’6″ SCIENTIFIC ANGLERS type 14 SINK TIP sage spey rio $7.50 |
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NEW! SAGE TCX 590-4 5WT FLY ROD $525.00 |
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Fish Fishing Telescopic 8 Sections Portable Pole Rod $13.67 |
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Sage Xi2 Fly Rod – 11 Weight – 9′ – 4 Pc $221.51 |
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G LOOMIS NATIVE RUN GLX FR1206-4 GLX FLY ROD NEW $685.00 |
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G LOOMIS NATIVE RUN GLX 1208 FLY FISHING ROD NEW $705.00 |
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G LOOMIS CROSSCURRENT GLX 1086 FLY FISHING ROD NEW $660.00 |
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G LOOMIS NATIVE RUN GLX FR1088-4-NR-GLX FLY ROD NEW $685.00 |
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Mini Fishing Fish Rod Pen Spin Reel Pole Fly Stick Ice $19.95 |
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G LOOMIS CROSSCURRENT GLX 1087 FLY FISHING ROD NEW $675.00 |
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G LOOMIS NATIVE RUN GLX FR1148-4 GLX FLY ROD NEW $695.00 |
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Case Mini Fishing Fish Rod Pen Reel Pole Fly Stick Ice $9.95 |
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G LOOMIS NATIVE RUN GLX FR1089-4-NR-GLX FLY ROD NEW $695.00 |
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G LOOMIS NATIVE RUN GLX FR1209-4 GLX FLY ROD NEW $715.00 |
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CRYSTAL RIVER FLY Fishing Combo ROD & REEL & LINE & Tackle NIP – $23.99 |
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12 STREAMER Craigs Night Time FLY FISHING TROUT FLIES for fly rods,reels & lines $15.73 |
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G LOOMIS STREAMDANCE GLX FR-1025-4 SALESMAN SAMPLE $525.00 |
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G LOOMIS STREAMDANCE GLX 1206 FLY FISHING ROD BRAND NEW $680.00 |
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New With Tag; Old Stock Vintage 2 Pcs Penn International 12wt Fly Fishing Rod $119.99 |
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New With Tag; Old Stock Vintage 2 Pcs Penn International 11wt Fly Fishing Rod $119.99 |
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New With Tag; Old Stock Vintage 2 Pcs Penn International 10wt Fly Fishing Rod $119.99 |
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New With Tag; Old Stock Vintage 2 Pcs Penn International 8wt Fly Fishing Rod $119.99 |
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New Golden Mini Pocket Pen Fishing Rod pen fishing rod set with line $0.96 |
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Davis Saltwater Fly Rod 2 Handle 10-12 Wt 12 Ft. Length $104.95 |
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Irideus Salmon Fly Fishing Reel Large Arbor Steelhead Spey Edition 8 wt- 10 wt $215.00 |
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NEW! REDINGTON VOYANT 690-4 6WT FLY ROD – FREE SHIPPING! $189.95 |
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Fast Fly Logic 8’9″ 4/5 Weight 2 Pc Fishing Rod Building Kit Cork Guides Seat $89.00 |
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NEW! REDINGTON VOYANT 696-4 6WT FLY ROD – FREE SHIPPING! $189.95 |
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Gremlin Emerald Matrix 5 piece/6-7 weight/9 foot Graphite Fly Rod[no reel] $31.00 |
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NEW! REDINGTON VOYANT 6100-4 6WT FLY ROD – FREE SHIPPING! $189.95 |
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Vintage Anson Fishing Pole Rod Reel Tie Clasp Fisherman Fly $24.99 |
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NEW! REDINGTON VOYANT 790-4 7WT FLY ROD – FREE SHIPPING! $189.95 |
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6 Egg Sucking Hareball Leech Steelhead Salmon Spey Fly Fishing Flies Hook Rod $8.99 |
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6 Babine Specials Fly Fishing Flies Steelhead Salmon Spey Rod Reel LIne Alaska $7.99 |
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VINTAGE BAMBOO HARDY (W.F. HARDY) 3piece 8 1/2 FT FLY ROD $25.00 |
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6 Kami Killer Fly Fishing Flies Steelhead Salmon Spey Rod Reel LIne Alaska Hook $7.99 |
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orvis helios 8wt switch rod $550.00 |
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NEW! REDINGTON VOYANT 7100-4 7WT FLY ROD – FREE SHIPPING! $189.95 |
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G Loomis Fly Fishing Vest $31.00 |
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NEW! REDINGTON VOYANT 890-4 8WT FLY ROD – FREE SHIPPING! $189.95 |
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NEW! REDINGTON VOYANT 990-4 9WT FLY ROD – FREE SHIPPING! $189.95 |
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NEW! REDINGTON VOYANT 1090-4 10WT FLY ROD – FREE SHIPPING! $189.95 |
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Mini Fishing Fish Rod Pen Reel Pole Fly Stick Ice Gift $0.99 |
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2012 Eagle Claw Feather Light Fly Rod 8′ NEW $29.99 |
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New Fly Logic FLO+ 9′ 12 Wt 3 Pc Fishing Saltwater Rod Big Game Graphite Fast $289.99 |
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Vintage H.L.Leonard “Baby Catskill” 37H 6ft 1.9oz Bamboo Fly-Fishing Rod $2,690.00 |
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New SAGE Vantage 586-4 8′ 6″ 5 wt 4 pc fly fishing rod —-Free US Shipping $250.00 |
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NEW! REDINGTON VOYANT 376-4 3WT FLY ROD – FREE SHIPPING! $189.95 |
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Ebisu Vintage Fishing Rod 7′ bamboo? 2 piece $299.99 |
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Okuma Aventa Center Pin 15-Feet 4-8-Pounds Rod (Light Action) $9.48 |
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7’6″ SCIENTIFIC ANGLERS type 14 SINK TIP sage spey rio $7.50 |
|
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NEW! SAGE TCX 590-4 5WT FLY ROD $525.00 |
|
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Fish Fishing Telescopic 8 Sections Portable Pole Rod $13.67 |
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Sage Xi2 Fly Rod – 11 Weight – 9′ – 4 Pc $221.51 |
|
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G LOOMIS NATIVE RUN GLX FR1206-4 GLX FLY ROD NEW $685.00 |
|
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G LOOMIS NATIVE RUN GLX 1208 FLY FISHING ROD NEW $705.00 |
|
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G LOOMIS CROSSCURRENT GLX 1086 FLY FISHING ROD NEW $660.00 |
|
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G LOOMIS NATIVE RUN GLX FR1088-4-NR-GLX FLY ROD NEW $685.00 |
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Mini Fishing Fish Rod Pen Spin Reel Pole Fly Stick Ice $19.95 |
|
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G LOOMIS CROSSCURRENT GLX 1087 FLY FISHING ROD NEW $675.00 |
|
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G LOOMIS NATIVE RUN GLX FR1148-4 GLX FLY ROD NEW $695.00 |
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Case Mini Fishing Fish Rod Pen Reel Pole Fly Stick Ice $9.95 |
|
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G LOOMIS NATIVE RUN GLX FR1089-4-NR-GLX FLY ROD NEW $695.00 |
|
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G LOOMIS NATIVE RUN GLX FR1209-4 GLX FLY ROD NEW $715.00 |
|
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CRYSTAL RIVER FLY Fishing Combo ROD & REEL & LINE & Tackle NIP – $23.99 |
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12 STREAMER Craigs Night Time FLY FISHING TROUT FLIES for fly rods,reels & lines $15.73 |
|
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G LOOMIS STREAMDANCE GLX FR-1025-4 SALESMAN SAMPLE $525.00 |
|
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G LOOMIS STREAMDANCE GLX 1206 FLY FISHING ROD BRAND NEW $680.00 |
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New With Tag; Old Stock Vintage 2 Pcs Penn International 12wt Fly Fishing Rod $119.99 |
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New With Tag; Old Stock Vintage 2 Pcs Penn International 11wt Fly Fishing Rod $119.99 |
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New With Tag; Old Stock Vintage 2 Pcs Penn International 10wt Fly Fishing Rod $119.99 |
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New With Tag; Old Stock Vintage 2 Pcs Penn International 8wt Fly Fishing Rod $119.99 |
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New Golden Mini Pocket Pen Fishing Rod pen fishing rod set with line $0.96 |
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Davis Saltwater Fly Rod 2 Handle 10-12 Wt 12 Ft. Length $104.95 |
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Irideus Salmon Fly Fishing Reel Large Arbor Steelhead Spey Edition 8 wt- 10 wt $215.00 |