Saltwater Fishing Tips

Saltwater fishing combines skill, patience, and a bit of luck for limitless adventures. From the peaceful shores to the challenging coastlines and the vastness of the deep blue, mastering the fundamentals is essential. Selecting the right gear and bait and knowing where to find the fish can help you navigate the expansive marine wilderness. With the right saltwater fishing tips, your next catch could be just a cast away.

Get a License and Know the Size and Bag Limits

Before casting your line, ensure you’re a responsible angler by familiarizing yourself with local fishing regulations. They help maintain healthy fish populations and a sustainable ecosystem.

• License up. Every state requires a saltwater fishing license, which you can obtain online through authorized retailers or by phone. Remember, license fees contribute to fisheries management and conservation efforts so future anglers can enjoy the thrill of saltwater fishing.
• Size and bag limits. Understanding size and bag limits for targeted species is critical to preventing overfishing and allowing populations to thrive. There are three main types of size limits:

  

  • Minimum size limit. This ensures only fish exceeding a specific size are harvested, allowing them to spawn and mature before capture.
  • Slot limit. This protects young and mature fish by specifying a size range that can be legally kept. Fish falling outside this slot range must be carefully released.
  • Bag limit. This dictates the maximum number of fish of a particular species you can legally keep during a specific timeframe (e.g., per day).
• Ethical catch and release. Practice catch and release whenever possible. Handle fish carefully, minimize out-of-water time (ideally less than 30 seconds), and revive them gently before releasing them back into the water.

Understand the Tide

Tides influence where and when fish will be actively feeding in saltwater environments. As water levels rise and fall, they create currents and change structural features where baitfish and other predators congregate. The most productive saltwater fishing generally occurs around high and low tides during the reversing periods.

Incoming tides flood areas with baitfish, boosting fish activity in holes, points, flats, and other structures. Outgoing tides are optimal for targeting jetties, cuts, and channels as water recedes from prime ambush spots. Always plan trips around the most favorable tidal movements.

Select the Best Rod and Reel Combo

Choosing the correct saltwater fishing rod and reel combo is essential for success. It should be tailored to your target species, fishing environment, and the specific techniques you’ll be using. FISH307 offers premium saltwater rods and reels for everything from coastal flats fishing to deep-sea battles.

The Daiwa BG saltwater spinning reel paired with a Shimano Clarus F spinning rod makes an excellent light inshore setup for redfish, speckled trout, and other species found around mangroves and flats.

Those chasing tuna, marlin, or other offshore giants will want the power of a Shimano Curado K baitcasting reel on a stout Ugly Stik bigwater conventional rod.

Try Natural Baits

Artificial lures certainly have their place in your tacklebox, but live or natural baits often yield higher catch rates for saltwater anglers. Popular choices include shrimp, crabs, clams, mussels, and bait fish like mullet or pilchards. Keeping a variety of bait on hand lets you test and discover which one the fish prefers on any given day.

For example, a lively shrimp or strip of cut bait suspended under a popping cork can be deadly on redfish cruising the flats, or a fresh chunk of mullet added to a fish-finder rig might tempt that trophy snapper lurking around a deep-water wreck or reef. Keep bait fresh inside a cooler and use bait-saving rigs and techniques.

Choose the Right Lure for the Right Depth

While anglers love live and hard baits for their consistent action, don’t overlook saltwater lures. The key is matching your lure’s diving depth to where the fish are holding based on tide, structures, and the time of day. FISH307 offers specialized saltwater lures to cover all depth ranges.

The Rapala X-Rap saltwater surface lures and the Strike King topwater plugs are great for targeting fish crashing on the surface or inshore fishing. Try sinking plugs like the Z-Man Scented soft jerkbait or slow-sinking soft plastic swimbaits for the middle depths. When fishing around structures or in the depths, leadhead jigs like the Venom Lures floating jig heads and heavy metal Diamond Jigs get down fast.

Remove Scents

Many saltwater fish species have an incredible sense of smell, making it essential to eliminate human odors before touching baits or lures. Scent-removing soaps and shampoos can help wash away gasoline, sunscreen, insect repellent, and other lingering scents that could spook fish.

You can also use lava soaps made from volcanic pumice to strip your hands of foreign odors that might turn off wary predators like tuna, redfish, permit, and bonefish, known for their keen sense of smell. A few swipes of this odor-removing bar before fishing can make a big difference to the success of your fishing trip.

Switch Out Your Fluorocarbon Lines After Every Fish Fight

Fluorocarbon leaders offer exceptional abrasion resistance, vital in the saltwater environment with toothy fish and unforgiving bottom structures. However, the violent head shakes and blazing runs from powerful saltwater species can quickly wear down fluorocarbon after just one or two fish.

To avoid costly line failures, change out your fluorocarbon leader material frequently, especially after lengthy battles. FISH307 carries quality fluorocarbons from trusted brands like Berkley, Sufix, and Daiwa in a range of pound tests to match any inshore or offshore situation.

Protect Yourself

Protecting yourself from the elements creates a more enjoyable and safe saltwater fishing experience. The harsh sun, wind, and saltwater environment can take a toll on your body and affect your performance if you’re not adequately prepared. Consider the following sun protection methods:

• Gear up. A wide-brimmed hat shields your face and neck from scorching rays, while polarized sunglasses guard your eyes against glare and reflections off the water.
• Dress for the occasion. Long, loose-fitting clothing with long sleeves protects your skin from harmful UV rays and potential scrapes against boat surfaces or lines.
• Be sun safe. Apply sunscreen liberally and reapply every two hours, especially after swimming or sweating. Remember your ears, lips, neck, and the tops of your feet!
• Stay hydrated. The dehydrating effects of sun and salt are real and can have devastating consequences. Pack plenty of water and take regular sips throughout the day, even if you don’t feel thirsty.

Have a Successful Day on the Water with FISH307

Whether you’re a seasoned offshore veteran or just getting started, the saltwater fishing tips from the team at FISH307 can help you have a fantastic experience. We carry an extensive selection of saltwater fishing rods, reels, tackle, apparel, and accessories for any inshore or deep-sea adventure.

As passionate locals on Lake George, we’re also happy to provide personalized guidance and insider insights on which fish are biting and what gear you need to land your catch. Contact us today at FISH307 to connect with our knowledgeable staff and make your next saltwater fishing trip successful.