| Saltwater fly fishing is all the rage these | | | | simple as that. Your lines are the one place |
| days. This excitement is quite | | | | you can't afford to pinch pennies. Also be |
| understandable because there's hardly | | | | sure to keep your lines clean and dressed |
| anything more thrilling to a saltwater fly | | | | with a good line dressing if you expect top |
| rodder than a bluefish blitz, a tailing red | | | | performance from your lines.Keep direct |
| drum off the coast of NC, or a bonefish | | | | contact between your rod tip and fly. |
| battle on the flats of south Florida | | | | |
| waters.If you are just getting started in | | | | Beginning saltwater anglers often do not |
| saltwater fly-fishing, there are a few tips | | | | realize the lighting speed at which a marine |
| that will make your conversion from | | | | game fish is apt to strike. Every little bit |
| freshwater easier and more productive.Get | | | | of slack from our rod to the fly means a |
| some gear just for fishing saltwater | | | | greater chance your hook-up will be |
| | | | unsuccessful.Keep your rod tip pointed toward |
| You're best bet is to get another fly rod | | | | the water |
| and reel for your saltwater fishing | | | | |
| adventures. Your freshwater gear is | | | | Your best chance of hooking a saltwater game |
| undoubtedly going to be lighter than may be | | | | fish is by not lifting your rod from the |
| necessary to deliver that big fly in a stiff | | | | water and setting the hook by stripping the |
| offshore breeze, and you're better off | | | | line, keeping the rod pointed down before |
| leaving your high-dollar equipment out of the | | | | lifting it. Eliminate as much slack as |
| punishing salt air.Get a good 10 weight rod | | | | possible between your rod and the fly and you |
| | | | will find your attempts will be more |
| There are a number of reasons you need to | | | | successful.Try the shooting head system |
| use heavier tackle. One is because you will | | | | |
| need to make longer casts with larger flies | | | | Because of the heavy head section, a good |
| in typically windy conditions. Another is | | | | caster can achieve a good 80 to 90 feet of |
| because when you see that fish you need to | | | | distance with only one false cast. You may |
| deliver the fly IMMEDIATELY. Doing that will | | | | often find yourself in a situation where an |
| be considerably easier with heavier | | | | 80 foot cast is sometimes not enough for open |
| equipment.Put your money in the rod | | | | water fishing so a long cast with a shooting |
| | | | head is what is needed.Fabulous flies |
| If you have to make a choice between | | | | |
| spending money on rod or reel, choose rod. | | | | Keep in mind what your game fish eats and |
| You can get away with a less expensive reel | | | | mimic it (most of the time). Sometimes the |
| but you will not get the control you need | | | | fish will only bite the bizarre, but usually |
| with a cheap rod because it will flex more | | | | you're better off with flies that look like |
| when you try to cast. The rod is more | | | | minnows, shrimp, crabs, worms, and various |
| important than the reel.Buy a reel made for | | | | other small saltwater creatures.Whether you |
| fishing saltwater | | | | are just getting started and testing your |
| | | | fly-fishing "wings" or are a veteran who |
| You will still have to clean it after use | | | | simply loves the sport, give saltwater |
| but it will hold up better than one designed | | | | fly-fishing a try this fall or spring. |
| for freshwater.Buy the best fly line you can | | | | You'll be hard pressed to find a more |
| afford | | | | exciting fly fishing adventure than a |
| | | | saltwater one.E. A. Edwards is a free-lance |
| More expensive fly lines last longer and | | | | writer with a variety of professional and |
| perform better than cheaper lines, it's as | | | | personal interests. |