Saltwater Fishing Advice

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Choosing The Right Fishing Line

Your fishing line often spells the difference between the satisfaction of landing that lunker or the disappointment of seeing it swim away when your line breaks. Of course, the line is only as good as the knot you tie, but selecting the most appropriate line may improve your chances and enjoyment on the water.

Choosing The Right Line:

• Manufacturers have invested heavily in improving fishing line by designing various characteristics to meet the demands of both the fish you are trying to catch and the conditions of the water
• Lines also take into account your tackle--rod and reel--and your casting techniques
• Limper lines may offer a little more sensitivity, a big plus when trying to catch smaller fish. But on the downside, they may have too much stretch, they pull too easy when a fish strikes, which may cause the line to break.
• Today's line tries to combine a balance of sensitivity--to allow the user to feel the fish on his/her line, shock strength--to absorb the initial strike of a fish, controlled stretch-- to keep the fish on your line without it breaking easily, and the proper stiffness--to improve casting and retrieving

Line Characteristics:

Diameter

• This determines the line's breakage strength
• Larger diameter increases a line's durability
• This number simply means the line's strength or pound-test is designed to hold the indicated weight before it breaks. For example, two-pound test has been rated to hold a two-pound fish before it breaks.
• Novice anglers should buy the line that meets the size of the fish they want to catch. Choose a heavier line if you are unsure.
• More advanced anglers may choose to use the lightest line possible to increase the challenge of landing a fish
• Some of the new premium lines use thinner diameters with incredible strength and durability
• This is because the thinner the line, the more sensitive the line. Sensitivity helps you feel the fish nibbling on your bait or lure.
• Most manufacturers rate their line for fishing conditions, such as "ultra-light" for small fish such as perch and "big game" for larger fish like muskie or tuna
• There are even specialized lines for cold weather and ice fishing

Abrasion resistance

• Fishing lines are subjected to harsh conditions--rocks, tree stumps and the weather. That's why fishing lines are made to be abrasion-resistant.
• Look for line that can withstand scuffing, nicks and the normal wear-and-tear from repeated casting
• Most premium lines offer good abrasion resistance. Even monofilaments now come in special designs to improve abrasion resistance in extreme fishing conditions.

Color

Sometimes you need to see your line; other times you don't want the fish to see the line. Consequently, you can buy line that accomplishes one of these objectives.

• Clear/blue fluorescent
  • Sunlight illuminates the line above the surface so it's easier to see when casting, retrieving or trolling
  • Under the surface, the line stays clear so it's nearly invisible to a fish
• Low-visibility
  • This blends into most underwater environments so it's good in situations where the fishing is tougher either because they don't seem to want to bite or heavy fishing has made the fish a little smarter
• Low-visibility clear
  • In clear streams or even in some lakes, the water runs clear. This color works well in ultra-clear water or when you know the fishing hole you have selected tends to have fish that seem unwilling to bite.
• High-visibility gold
  • This bright color makes it easier to see when a fish strikes or to watch your line position when you troll several lines or go fishing in a current
  • You may also prefer this color for low-light conditions such as dawn, dusk and night
• Coffee
  • If you are going fishing in muddy, stained waters, this color blends in with the water conditions
• Moss green
  • This color works well in waters with heavy vegetation or algae
• Red
  • This color gives you high visibility above the water line, but has a refractive index close to that of water making it hard for fish to see.

Stiffness or limpness

• Typically, the stronger lines are also stiffer lines
• Many of the limper lines are designed for certain types of reels to make casting easier and for open waters where few structures such as trees and rocks are a problem
• Generally, the larger the diameter, the stiffer the line. Stiffness also normally adds strength to a line.

Types of materials

You can buy fishing lines in different materials and manufacturing processes that have been refined or added to give you better lines to get the job done.

Monofilament/Cofilament

• Monofilament lines are the most popular, primarily because of their lower price tag
• They use nylon to form the line in single sheath so they are more prone to abrasion
• Cofilament line adds more resistance while still providing sensitivity and stretch
• This basically uses an inner and outer sheath of nylon to improve the line's ability to withstand wear and tear

Braided

• These small diameter lines improve strength and still maintain sensitivity
• For example, a 15-pound test braided line still has the same diameter of a 6 pound test monofilament fishing line
• The nylon is woven in a braided line to add strength while still keeping the line thin. Many manufacturers add a coating to hold the braid together, increasing its durability and strength.
• Braided lines have much less stretch than monofilament which can improve hook sets.
• Four problems exist with braided lines but these can be easily overcome
  • One, you must use the type of knot recommended by the manufacturer to keep your line on the hook
  • Two, many of these are limp so they can be tougher to cast, especially on spinning reels
  • A third area but one that's shared by all lines is watching for nicks. Braided lines, in particular though, become much weaker so you need to watch for broken braid strands.
  • The abrasive design of the line can wear on rod guides and reel bails.

Fusion

• A variant of braided lines is a new fusion process
• Micro-fiber nylon is fused together to maintain sensitivity, strength and a small line diameter while keeping the line limp for easier casting and distance
• Some experts caution that the new super braided and fusion lines have limited stretch, a big plus in setting the hook

Fluorocarbons

The latest advance in fishing lines is fluorocarbons--made from a polymer of fluorine boned to carbon. This super-premium line offers several advantages.

• Invisibility
  • This is a very big benefit, especially in clear water or finesse fishing
  • Fluorocarbon line comes closest to the refractive index of water, so it becomes virtually invisible under water but is visible above the surface
• Durability
  • The sun's ultraviolet rays don't affect the line so it last longer
• Strength
  • Fluorocarbon line doesn't absorb water so it keeps its strength. Some manufacturers say monofilament lines lose between 10-20 percent of their strength because of water absorption.
• Stiffness
  • This line also has low stretch to help with sensitivity in hooking fish
  • Its stiffness also means the line doesn't float, so it allows lures to go down deeper and jigs to fall faster
  • The stiffness of the line will require use of recommended knots to assure proper performance.

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Choosing The Right Salt Water Reel

Finding a reel to go salt water fishing starts with three basic considerations: your experience, your preferred way of fishing and the type of fish you're after. You then have a choice of several styles of reels to get the job done.

How to Buy Salt Water Reels

Types

There are basically two types of reels to consider, each with advantages to weigh: baitcasting and spinning.

• Conventional reels
  • Baitcasting reels are typically preferred by more experienced anglers, especially when using heavier lures and lines designed for bigger fish
  • The reel works with the weight of the bait or lure as it pulls on the line and turns the spool to release more line. The heavier the lure, the longer the cast.
  • With practice, this style of reel also will allow you to cast more accurately
  • Many fishermen also prefer baitcasting for fighting bigger, stronger fish over an extended period, especially big game fish in salt water
  • The line retrieves directly on the spool making the baitcasting reel equal to the challenge
  • Baitcasting reels are offered in one-piece designs, which lessens the corrosive effects of salt water
  • Most baitcasting reels now incorporate a drag system designed to adjust the resistance--or drag--on the spool to control how much resistance is needed to pull the right amount of line off the spool
  • You can also select a baitcasting reel for your particular style of fishing
    • Offshore reels are designed to fight large fish from a boat
    • Trolling reels allow you to drag live bait or a lure as you troll in a boat
    • Jigging reels allow you to cast a lure near the bottom and then pull the lure in an up and down motions
    • Casting reels give you the benefit of precision casts
    • Bottom reels, as their name sounds, allow you to fish from stationary boats and go down deep
• Spinning reels
  • Spinning reels are open-faced
  • Your line is released from a stationary spool by flipping a bail wire, a piece of metal wire across the spool called a bail
  • This stationary spool keeps the line in place and helps prevent snarls and tangles
  • The weight of your lure or bait propels the line forward
  • Spinning reels can handle smaller baits but today's spinning reels are designed for light fishing to heavier fish
  • You also need to ensure that your reel is a left- or right-hand retrieve, or can be adapted for either hand
  • Spinning reels use an anti-reverse, a simple mechanism you set by letting go of the bail wire after casting. This keeps your line from spooling off once you get a strike from a fish.
  • In salt water spinning reels, you may prefer a skirted spool
  • The skirted spool increases line capacity, allows longer casts and reduces tangles
  • It also protects the reel's inside workings from the salt water and moisture

Materials/Construction

There are a number of options available in salt water fishing reels.

• Spools
  • The spool is the part of the reel that holds the line
  • It is a detachable component of the reel
  • Spools are made of either graphite or aluminum
  • Graphite spools are designed to be lighter than aluminum spools
  • Aluminum spools generally cost more and some consider aluminum to be more durable; it's worthwhile to pay for anodized or machined bronze aluminum to fend off the corrosive effects of salt water and moisture
  • Either material is designed to resist corrosion from the water
• Frames
  • The frame is what gives the reel its shape
  • Frames can also be either made of graphite or aluminum
  • Metal frames will keep the reel's components in alignment and improve performance.
• Line capacity
  • Line capacity is a key consideration in selecting a reel
  • Some reels can handle as much as 900 yards
  • The amount of line you'll need depends on your type of fishing
• Gear ratio
  • Gear ratio tells you how quickly a reel will retrieve line per revolution of your reel's crank
  • Lower ratios provide more power for bringing fish from deeper depths, while higher gear rations benefit when pulling fish from closer to the surface
• Ball bearings
  • Ball bearings are used to help reels work more smoothly by supporting the moving parts
  • Generally speaking, the more ball bearings, the smoother the reel works, especially under pressure
  • As more ball bearings are added to a reel, the cost goes up
• Level winds
  • A level wind makes it so that when you reel in your line it is distributed evenly over the spool
  • Level winds found on baitcasting reels will evenly guide the line back on to the spool after casting

How To Buy Combos

• If you are new to fishing, combos are a great way to start. Manufacturers match the right reel with the right rod.
• All you need to do is determine the type of fishing that you want to do and then find the combo that best suits your needs
• Like anything else, the more features in a combo, as well as the more quality components, the more you will pay. A good combo, though, can provide a lifetime of fun.

VIEW ALL SALTWATER RODS »   

Choosing The Right Salt Water Rod

Finding a rod to go salt water fishing starts with three basic considerations: your experience, your preferred way of fishing and the type of fish you're after. You then have a choice of several styles of rods to get the job done.

How To Buy Salt Water Rods

Types

There are two main types of rods--casting and spinning. The type of rod you buy depends as much on the reel you buy as the type of fishing that you plan to do.

• Casting rods
  • Casting rods take a baitcasting/conventional reel
  • The reel and line are seated on top of the rod
  • A trigger grip, a grip that looks similar to a trigger on a gun, lets you hold the rod securely while releasing the thumb bar/line release
• Spinning rods
  • Spinning rods use a spinning reel
  • These rods have three main differences from casting rods:
    • The reel hangs from the bottom of the reel seat, and the line guides are on the bottom as well
    • The handle length is balanced against the rod's length
    • Triggers are not used on spinning rods

Length & weight

Length and weight depend on the type of fish that you want to catch and your fishing style. For casting situations, choose a longer rod for longer casts. For boat fishing the rod should be chosen to accommodate line weights that are appropriate for the fish you intend to catch.

• Bottom-fishing
  • Bottom-fishing rods run about 7 feet long and normally take 15 to 60-pound test line
  • These rods also usually take conventional reels
• Boat
  • Boat rods run about 7 - 8 feet long and they handle 50-130-pound test lines
  • These also usually are for baitcasting reels
• Surfcasting
  • Surfcasting rods come in lengths from 6 to 15 feet
  • The length you need depends on how far you want to cast and what weight of lure you may be casting
  • A 10-foot surfcasting rod will allow you to throw a 2- to 4-ounce lure 200 feet easily
  • These rods work mainly with spinning reels

Action

• Action basically describes the way a rod is designed to perform when casting or reeling in a fish
• It also relates to the lure or bait you need and the strength of the reel that should be used
• The smaller the fish, the lighter the action that you'll need; the heavier the fish, the heavier the action that you should buy
• Most manufacturers use terms such as ultra-light, light, medium-heavy or heavy

Lure/Line weight

• Lure and line weight also play into rod selection. The heavier these are, the longer and heavier the pole that you should buy.

Materials/Construction

Most rods today are made from either graphite or fiberglass, or a composition of these two materials.

• Graphite
  • Graphite has been refined over the years to provide lighter, more flexible rods that give you "sensitivity," a big plus in feeling when a fish begins to nibble on your bait
• Fiberglass
  • Fiberglass provides more durability than graphite but sacrifices some sensitivity and is heavier than graphite
• Composites
  • Composites give you the best of both graphite and fiberglass-- the durability of fiberglass combined with the lightweight, power and sensitivity of graphite

Grips

• Pistol grip
  • A pistol grip is the shortest type of grip
  • It is contoured to the shape of your hand with a hook for your index finger
  • This hook helps in casting more accurately
• Triggerstick
  • A longer triggerstick is used for two-handed, longer casts
• Materials
  • Materials come in two general styles - cork or EVA foam
    • Cork is a traditional material that has a good feel and solid grip
    • EVA foam offers more durability because it is more resistant to temperature changes and water wear

Guides

• Line guides can be made of plastic, metal or ceramic, listed from least to best quality. These circles are positioned close to the rod's shaft to control fishing line.
• In casting rods, line guides are positioned along the top of the rod. They are smaller to reduce the play in the line and allow for easier casting and quicker retrieve.
• Spinning rods place the line guides along the rod's bottom. These guides get larger toward the base of the rod.
• The number of line guides is determined by the rod's length as well as by the quality of the rod

How to buy combos

• If you are new to fishing, combos are a great way to start. Manufacturers match the right reel with the right rod.
• All you need to do is determine the type of fishing that you want to do and then find the combo that best suits your needs
• Like anything else, the more features in a combo, as well as the more quality components, the more you will pay. A good combo, though, can provide a lifetime of fun.