Going Saltwater Fishing

Going Saltwater Fishing - A How-To Guide
By: Rose Ariadne

While it may not seem like there is anything special about saltwater fishing, it is a very different application and sport from freshwater fishing. Many times, you are targeting larger species of fish, you are far from land for long periods of time, and you are in a completely different type of environment.

Rather than looking at lakes with depths of 40 or 50 feet, you could very well be fishing seas and oceans with floors hundreds of feet deep. Saltwater fishing requires a lot of foreknowledge and preparation before you head out into the open waters.

The first thing you need to keep in mind is that saltwater fishing is usually a full day out in the hot summer sun on the water. This means that it is vital to be prepared with skin protection, visors, boat canopies, and lots of sunblock are key to withstanding the heat and the UV rays. You'll also need to ward off dehydration, meaning that your cooler should be filled with water and electrolyte-enhanced drinks rather than beer. You should have light clothing that keeps you from overheating as well.

Saltwater fishing also requires good, solid equipment. First, your boat should be in solid working order, with no question as to the condition of your motor or any other vital part of the vessel. It's easy to paddle a mile back to the shore of a lake, but it's nearly impossible to get back from 30 miles out at sea should there be a problem. Also, because you'll encounter larger specimens in many instances, you'll want to make certain that your rod and reel are in good working order and are solid enough to handle some tough interaction.

When you've determined that all of this is good, you'll need to decide what saltwater fishing target you are looking for. Are you going to fish for redfish or for speckled trout? Perhaps you are looking for a tougher catch, including sharks, which will take you out much further from the coastline. This will help you determine the size and type of hook that you use, as well as the bait that you carry. Also, if you intend to fish for very large specimen, you'll want to be certain you have a boat big enough to hold your catch.

The type of fish you decide you want to target will direct your saltwater fishing trip to certain areas. For example, if you are looking for redfish, chances are you are going to stay near the coastline in the shallows, since this is where redfish prefer to stay. On the other hand, if you are fishing for flounder, your saltwater fishing excursion could take you to cooler, deeper waters where the flounder can position themselves close to underwater structures that break the tide for them and give them a place to "hide".

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