Fishing in saltwater is a whole other experience than fishing in the freshwater. It is not only the atmosphere that is different. If you do not take the right precautions and equipment for saltwater fishing, you might end up in a troublesome situation in the future.
As you know, no matter whether it is plastic or metal, salt water is going to degrade it. As a result, you might end up shortening the lifespan of your fishing equipment if you do not take proper care of it.
As a sea person, I always preferred saltwater fishing to freshwater fishing. Who does not like the sound of the waves crashing, the everlasting blue water, and the thrill of catching a big fish? Saltwater fishing is the finest of all.
You should know how to set up a fishing line for saltwater and other saltwater equipment before heading out. And it is what this article is on.
Table of Contents
Things to not forget:
Sometimes out of excitement, we forget the most important things to carry. As they have juridical significance, it is better to be safe than sorry.
- Fishing license: Do not forget to take your fishing license, especially when you are out in the sea. You can keep it in your waterproof tackle box or bag.
- Review the allowed species: It is something most anglers do not even know. There are some allowed species to catch in every area. Make sure you are aware of the list to avoid getting fined. Luckily you can find the list online.
Offshore versus Inshore:
Another thing to keep in mind before choosing the right equipment is the spot you will be fishing on. The equipment will vary as per the location.
If you are fishing offshore, then you will need more heavy-duty equipment. You will also need a larger bait. As oceans are deeper offshore, it is also called deep-sea fishing. Offshore is at least 9 miles away from the shores. Inshore fishing requires a lighter tackle.
Required fishing tools:
Line:
The most common three fishing lines are monofilament, braided, and fluorocarbon. Each has its pros and cons.
Monofilament fishing lines:
Monofilament saltwater fishing lines are considered the overall best ones. If you choose Monofilament lines, buy the one with a thinner diameter and lower memory.
Memory is the tendency of the wire to remain in its shape. It is a troublesome property as it makes the line retains circles when it comes off the spool. But these lines stretch more than the braided ones.
One of the cons is that monofilament lines crack up when flashed to direct sunlight. They need to be changed every six months depending on their use.
Braided fishing line:
Braided lines are of multiple strands of fibers weaved together. So generally, they are stronger than the other lines.
The breaking strength of braided lines is approx double the monofilament lines of the same diameter. They are the best for bottom fishing as they do not stretch much. But this quality is a drawback for trolling.
Fluorocarbon fishing line
Fluorocarbon is the most recent fishing line in the market. It is almost invisible inside the water due to its similarity in refractive index with water. It is also denser than the other lines, so it sinks faster.
All the saltwater fishing lines are water-resistant and heavy-duty. So make sure you buy saltwater lines no matter which one you buy.
Reel:
The three most common reels are Spincast, Spinning, and Baitcasting. Though there is no specific best reel for seawater, spinning reels are the most common at present. You can find a ton of seawater spinning reels.
Not only spinning, but other reels also offer seawater ones. A 4000 size reel will run fine for those just starting. You can pick the best one by comparing the reviews and ratings.
Rod:
It depends on the line and reel you choose. Usually, for saltwater fishing medium, high-power rods will suffice. You can also find seawater-ready fishing reels and rods combo. You can get them if you like the quality.
Hook:
There is a variety of fishing hooks to choose from like, J-hooks, treble hooks, etc. Just make sure they are salt water-resistant.
Lures and baits
There are a plethora of options for baits and lures. But there are some popular fishing baits used by all anglers, like the classic shrimp lure.
The fishing bait also depends on the area you are fishing. If you are looking for a specific species of fish, then the fishing bait depends on it.
The topwater lures twitch and go back and forth on top of the water. The mid-water saltwater fishing lures can let sink for a bit that will dart to and for as you pull on it. And the flexible jig head lure can reel back in that looks natural as you pull into it.
How to set up a fishing line for saltwater:
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to set up a fishing line for saltwater-
Step 1:
The first step is to pick the right fishing line. I have already mentioned the pros and cons of all fishing lines. You have to consider the weather, the water condition, and the fish you are catching while picking the right fishing line for you.
Now that you have chosen the right fishing line, it is time to spool the line onto the reel.
Step 2:
Run your fishing line in the rod guides and draw 10-12 inches of your line off. You have to do this till you reach the last rod guide. Drift the tag end of the fishing line onto the reel.
Take the help of a fishing knot for this. There are several fishing knots that you can do. I recommend doing arbor knot here. Twist the handle of the reel to spool the line to it entirely. Remember to hold the line tight as you spool it to the reel.
Step 3:
After spooling, now you need to pick the right fishing hook. As I have said earlier, the right fishing hook depends on the lure and the fish you are catching. The fishing hooks should be saltwater ready. You will need a usual knot to tie the fishing hook to the line.
String the edge of the fishing line into the eyelet of the fishing hook. Then encase the end of the new line around the mainline 5 or 6 times. And then run it through the loop you just created. Tighten it, and you should be good to go. You can cut off the extra line if you need.
Step 4:
Now is the time for the bait. I have already mentioned the types of seawater baits best for the job. You can still do some research to find out the best bait for the fish you want to catch.
Step 5:
Attach the bait to the hook. It is easy to do. Just attach the fishing bait with the shank and the point of the hook and pull it through. Make sure you join it tightly so that it does not slip off.
Always try to conceal the tip of the hook. You do not want the fish to feel the hook when they bite the bait.
Step 6:
The next on the line is the seawater sinker. You can thread a seawater sinker with the fishing line.
The fish in seawater will not be too close to the surface. That is why sinker is especially needed if you are doing offshore fishing. Monitor your bait, hook, and sinker are making enough weight to sink into the perfect depth for your fish.
You can do some prior research to check the depth of the fish you are trying to catch.
Step 7:
This is not the most important step to follow. But you can check the tide chart before you go fishing. Some fishes are caught at high tide and some at low. Prior knowledge on this save you a lot of time and energy.
Follow this guideline step-by-step to set up a fishing line for saltwater at ease. All the tools used here are specially made for saltwater.
These heavy-duty equipment take the strain of the hot seawater well. They also require proper care and storage. Keep your tools dry and clean after every use to increase their lifespan. You can store them like the usual freshwater tools after cleaning.
Fishing rigs:
A rig in fishing is the combination of various fishing gears. There are many popular saltwater fishing rigs as well. The rigs can be composed of one or more lures, hooks, lines, and other tools. Carolina rig is the most popular and used fishing rig.
Conclusion:
If you are new to fishing, especially seawater fishing, then you need to know how to set up a fishing line for saltwater.
Seawater fishing is a super fun outdoor activity. It might sound a bit more complex than freshwater fishing. But trust me, it is not. Only the gears are different here.
You cannot use your freshwater gears in seawater. It will do them permanent damage and you might have to end your trip in the middle.
Always use saltwater gears when you go fishing in the sea. I have mentioned all the gears you need for fishing in saltwater.
Get a smooth seawater fishing experience following the step-by-step guidelines. And follow the tips to keep your gears working for a long time.
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