9 Best Saltwater Fishing Tips [For Fishing Like a Pro]

If you are tired of freshwater fishing, and looking for something more adventurous, and rewarding, trying saltwater fishing is always a good option.

As 96% of the planet Earth contains saltwater, you miss a lot of opportunities, if you do not take saltwater fishing seriously.

There are a handful of differences between freshwater and saltwater fishing gears, accessories, hooks, etc. Even if you are exceptionally experienced with freshwater fishing, there are a lot of tips of tricks that can come in very handy in saltwater fishing.

In this blog post, we will unveil 9 saltwater fishing tips that will enhance your saltwater fishing experience.

Whether you are a professional or a novice angler, these tips will be constructive for your salt fishing adventure.

So, without further talking, let’s jump right into the matter.

9 Saltwater Fishing Tips for Effective Fishing

1. Preparing Your Gear

First thing first, the saltwater fishing gear is significantly different from the live water gear. Even if you are planning to use your old live water fishing gear for fishing in the sea, there are a few tips that can save your day in the ocean.

As you might know, the fishing gear wears out very quickly in the saltwater as compared to the regular water.

The saltwater fishing gear is designed in a way to withstand the toughness of saltwater. Therefore, it is recommended by the professional anglers for a practical fishing experience.

However, if you are planning to use the fishing gear you already have, then we have got some tips that can be very beneficial for you.

• Always wash out your fishing gear with fresh and clean water.
• Apply some detergent or soap if you feel the need for it.
• Apply lubricant on the moving parts of the reel etc. to ensure it does not get stuck.
• Put it in the sunlight for a while.

2. Check Gear Specification

Although it may seem obvious to you that you should have all the necessary salt fishing gear with you, however, the saltwater fishing gear is slightly different from your regular fishing gear.

We recommend getting the proper saltwater fishing gear for the practical fishing experience.

Reel

An ideal saltwater fishing reel should be medium weight, anti-corrosion, and should be powerful enough to handle fatty fish.

There are low-speed and high-speed saltwater fishing reels available in the market. Also, there are fishing reels that allow anglers to switch between high-speed, and low-speed modes.

We recommend getting a fishing reel that supports dual-speed. So, you can change the speed of the reel whenever you need it to. Moreover, it should be rated for 10-25-pound test lines for offering a versatile performance.

Rod

Saltwater fishing rods come in different lengths and materials. A fibreglass fishing rod is perfect as it’s highly durable and stiffer than a graphite one.

Another important aspect of a fishing rod is its length. Generally, the longer rods cast more but, and on the other hand, the shorter rods are more powerful.

We recommend getting a saltwater fishing rod that suits your fishing needs. Ideally, a fishing rod should offer the best of both worlds.

Lines

The Monofilament fishing line is a multi-purpose fishing line that is thin, highly durable, and can bear the saltwater effects quite nicely. So, a mono-line performs better than a braided one.

Additionally, you can protect your gear with tackle bags for Saltwater for enhanced lifespan.

3. Get the Proper Hooks, Lures, and Baits

Hooks

The type of saltwater hook you use depends upon the bait you plan to use for fishing. Typically, there are J-hooks, Live bait hooks, and the circle-hooks used for saltwater fishing.

The J-hooks are the most commonly used hooks for saltwater fishing, as they are very powerful, and can easily be used for catching heavy-weight fishes.

The Live-bait hooks are designed in a way that keeps the bait moving around concealing the hook. So, the size of the live-bait hook depends upon the type of bait.

Pro Tip: Always use a different type of bait-hook with each of the baits. So, it does not look like a trap to the fishes.

Lastly, there are the circle-hooks that are designed for the catch and release method. They are best for times when you plan to catch the fish, and then release it easily.

The choice of the hook depends upon your needs. Still, the live-bait hooks work better than the rest of the hooks.

Bait

Saltwater fishing is very diverse as compared to live water fishing. Therefore, it is highly recommended to get the type of bait that is loved by the species that you are trying to catch.

Since it varies from location to location, therefore, you should have proper knowledge about the fishes in a specific area.

Lures

We do not recommend using lures for saltwater fishing. However, if you are interested in fake baits, then spoons, topwater plugs, and gulp baits are your best bet.

4. Fishing License

In order to enjoy fishing in the saltwater, you are required to have a fishing license. The saltwater fishing law varies from country to country, and state to state. However, you are bound to have one or more than one saltwater fishing licenses.

You will have to check your local authorities before you plan your day at the sea.

Lastly, don’t forget to bring your fishing license with you. In this way, you can avoid any inconvenience.

5. Knowing the Details

It’s always better to plan your adventure if you want to avoid embarrassment. Plan your day with precise details.

Like whether you are going for bay fishing, pier fishing, surf fishing, or deep-sea fishing, all of these are types of saltwater fishing. Still, you will need to have a different approach and accessories for each type of fishing.

For example, in the case of deep-sea fishing, you will require a boat. So, always plan in advance.

6. Practice

Well, we cannot emphasize this enough before you go for a real saltwater fishing experience all alone. It’s always better to go with more experienced anglers. So, you can have some hands-on practice, and learn some additional tricks from the experienced people.

7. Check out the Weather

Suppose you are planning for deep-sea fishing, it’s always advisable to check out the weather conditions before planning your trip. As you are in the middle of the sea, and things can get very nasty if they are not planned in a proper way.

Although the weather conditions don’t play a crucial role in other types of saltwater fishing like surf fishing, pier fishing, still you should be aware of the weather in order to fully enjoy your day.

8. Location Matters

The location does matter when it comes to saltwater fishing. Beachfront holes, reefs, and deep holes are often the best places for surf fishing.

Moreover, there are some secret maps available about your local area that can unveil these secret places to you. You necessarily don’t have to pay for getting these maps, as you can ask your angler friends for this.

In addition, you can also ask the more experienced anglers for showing you some secret places. Hence, you can catch some big hidden fishes.

9. Follow the Tides

Planning your fishing trip based on the flow of the tides is always a nice idea. There are marine tide charts available that you can follow to have a proper inshore fishing trip.

You will have to understand the tidal current. It’s a critical element, as the water does not precisely follow the high and low tides.

In the case of inlets and channel opening the timing of the tides may lag behind.

Moreover, the flow of water also plays a vital role in open areas.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Best Bait for Saltwater Fishing?

Shrimps are the best saltwater bait. However, you can also use other baits that are perfect for saltwater fishing, such as shellfishes, crabs, and cut bait.

Does Rain Affect Saltwater Fishing?

Yes, the rain does affect the rainwater fishing as most of the fishes move to the deeper water when it rains. Therefore, it is advised to plan your day in advance in order to avoid inconvenience.

Are Lures Good for Saltwater Fishing?

Well, live baits are recommended to saltwater fishes. However, you can also use different types of lures for saltwater fishing as well, including the spoons, plugs, and gulps.

What Kind of Fish are in Salt Water?

The kind of fishes you will find in the saltwater depends upon your area. Commonly found fishes in the saltwater are rockfish, bluefish, cod, and flounder.

What is the Best Time to Go Saltwater Fishing?

Generally dawn and dusk are the best times for saltwater fishing. Also, you should follow the tidal charts to have an idea about the movement of fishes.

Is Fishing After Rain Good?

It’s not recommended to fish right after it rains as most of the fishes go into the deep water. Hence, there are very plain chances of catching fishes. Therefore, you should avoid fishing when it rains.

Final Verdict

There are a lot of differences between freshwater fishing and saltwater fishing. You need a different approach for saltwater fishing as it requires different gears, baits, and lures than the regular fishing.

In this blog post, we have put together the nine best fishing tips for saltwater that can make you fish like a pro. You can tell us about your secret saltwater fishing techniques in the comments section below.