My journey into the world of fishing started simply, with just a spinning rod and a few pieces of tackle at my side. Over time, I embraced the challenge of offshore fishing and found myself with a garage brimming with rods, reels, lures, and various rigs. This exciting path was not without its difficulties; I encountered some tough lessons along the way, but I also experienced immense joy. Let’s face it: saltwater fishing can be a bit daunting. The vastness of the ocean can feel overwhelming, and the task of finding fish might make anyone anxious. However, the thrill of catching a sizable fish or filling up your cooler with fresh fillets is unbeatable. Starting with just a simple spinning rod and some basic tackle, anglers can successfully target various fish right from the beach, pier, or a small boat. Admittedly, the toughest part is simply taking that first step into saltwater fishing.
Essential Gear
The first order of business in saltwater fishing is setting up your gear. A straightforward fishing rod paired with a few key pieces of tackle opens the door to a wealth of fishing possibilities. For beginners, I recommend starting with a seven-foot, medium-action spinning rod along with a size 2500 reel. To save a bit of money while ensuring both rod and reel match up perfectly, consider purchasing a premade combo from a trusted manufacturer. Look for a saltwater combo that offers corrosion resistance and durability; you’ll want a reel with brass gears and stainless steel components, all matched to a rod crafted from graphite or composite materials. This combination will serve you well for years to come, accommodating every level of fishing from novice to expert.
Line
When we discuss fishing line, there are three main types to consider: monofilament, fluorocarbon, and braid. A fantastic starting point is to spool your spinning reel with 20-pound braided line. This type of line is thinner and more sensitive, allowing for farther casts, quicker sinking, and better detection of bites and bumps on your lure.
Of course, braided line does have its downsides, especially regarding knot strength and visibility. To combat this, consider attaching a couple of feet of 30-pound fluorocarbon to the end of your braided line using a double uni knot. Fluorocarbon is renowned for its abrasion resistance, invisibility underwater, and ease of knot tying, making it a great companion for your braided line.
Let’s not forget monofilament, which is particularly useful for trolling. Its inherent stretch helps absorb the shock when a fish strikes at a trolling lure. It is also stiffer than braided line, leading to less tangling overall.
George Poveromo
Terminal Tackle
Next up is the addition of your hooks, lures, floats, and weights. With just a few basic rigs and a handful of lures, you can start targeting a diverse array of fish as a beginner angler.
For starters, a selection of J-hooks and circle hooks in sizes ranging from 1/0 to 5/0 will match a variety of bait sizes. Personally, I find J-hooks most effective when I’m actively holding the rod and waiting for a bite, while circle hooks shine when I can set the rod in a holder and let the fish hook itself. The versatility of these hooks allows me to create various bait rigs, including top-bottom, Carolina, and popping cork setups.
Lures can generally be categorized based on water depth. Jigs are for the bottom, suspended lures target the middle layer, and topwater lures interact with the surface. Personally, I often use a lead jighead paired with a soft-plastic tail. I prefer a jighead featuring a heavy-duty, wide-gap hook, perfect for snagging larger catches. Allow the jig to sink to the bottom while you periodically lift the rod tip to create motion. You can also cast the jig out and retrieve steadily to make the lure swim higher in the water.
Suspended lures are crafted to sink to a specific depth, allowing you to target fish that prefer the middle water column. These lures typically come with labels indicating their recommended depth. Be sure to select a suspended lure that mirrors the local baitfish in terms of shape and color. When using a lipped suspended lure, cast it out and let it sink for a few seconds before retrieving steadily. Twitchbaits are another option; they sink slowly, so after casting, let them sink briefly before giving the rod tip a few sharp jerks to create a twitching motion, allowing for short pauses that let the lure settle.
When it comes to topwater lures, they provide an exhilarating experience as you witness a fish attack your bait. To work a popper or walk-the-dog lure, retrieve line while twitching the rod tip to make the lure dance across the surface. For a wakebait, simply cast it out and maintain a steady retrieve to create a zig-zag motion on the water’s surface.
Courtesy U.S. Coast Guard
Safety Gear
While fishing is generally a safe sport, there are still a few dangers that anglers should keep in mind. According to statistics from the Coast Guard, a whopping 87 percent of drowning victims were not wearing life jackets. I always opt for an inflatable life vest when fishing from my boat, and a foam personal flotation device (PFD) when I’m in my kayak. If you have reduced mobility, it’s crucial to wear a life vest whenever you’re near the water. Inflatable options are lightweight, compact, and comfortable. The automatic inflatable life vests activate upon contact with water, providing a safety net should I fall overboard and lose consciousness.
Another hidden danger comes from the sun’s harmful rays. Not only can prolonged exposure lead to painful sunburns, but it can also have severe long-term effects, including skin cancer. To protect myself effectively, I wear light-colored, loose-fitting long-sleeved shirts and trousers. I top it off with a wide-brimmed hat and neck gaiter for added protection. To keep my hands safe yet functional, I use fingerless gloves that allow me to tie knots and cast the rod comfortably. Breathable, water-shedding shoes also help shield my feet from the sun and potential injuries.
One of the most crucial accessories is a solid pair of polarized sunglasses. I prefer lenses made from crystal-clear polycarbonate or glass, ideally with a dark tint to block harmful UV rays. The polarization works by crisscrossing the lenses with invisible lines, a nifty feature that reduces glare from the sun reflecting off the water. This greatly enhances clarity and allows for a better view beneath the water’s surface. To minimize sun exposure from the sides, I choose sunglasses with thick frames and large lenses. Plus, vented and channeled frames are a bonus, as they help release moisture and prevent fogging.
Even when fully covered, I make sure to apply SPF 50 sunscreen on my hands and face to mitigate incidental sun exposure.
Fishing involves sharp objects, and I always prioritize safety. While handling knives and hooks, along with the potential for fish bites, there is an undeniable risk. The first line of defense is diligent handling of fish, hooks, and tools. Always use the right tool for each job; for instance, never attempt to cut fishing line with a knife; instead, use scissors. For unhooking fish, having a good pair of pliers on hand is vital. Fishing gloves and a terry cloth rag are also essential to protect against sharp fish spines and teeth. To make the whole process safer, I even remove the barbs from treble hooks, making unhooking a breeze, while allowing me to easily back out the hook if I get hooked myself.
Choosing Your Location
Unlike freshwater fish that are typically confined to lakes and ponds, saltwater fish are known to roam great distances each day. In my area, I often target speckled trout during the spring and fall, while redfish are the main catch throughout the summer. Some fishing spots yield good catches of spot and croaker, while others are known for striped bass and bluefish.
For beginners, I always suggest following the crowd. Fishing off piers or public access points can be ideal. Not only do these spots provide the chance to cast into promising waters, but they also offer the opportunity to engage with fellow anglers who can share valuable tips and insights.
Coastal waters extend for miles, with every inch of shoreline potentially serving as a fishing spot. A helpful rule of thumb is to look for deep water near the shore for the best chances of finding fish. I frequently use satellite imagery from applications like Google Earth and nautical charts from Navionics to scout for accessible shore fishing locales.
Using a boat or kayak expands my fishing range significantly, enhancing my chances of coming across fish. One thing is clear: fish love structure. I search nautical charts for areas like reefs, channels, shipwrecks, jetties, towers, sandbars, and flats. For those venturing offshore, looking for tide lines or current seams can prove worthwhile. Generally, any disruption in the water or bottom presents an opportunity for prey to find cover and for predators to hunt.
Sam Hudson
Essential Techniques
Getting the hang of casting with a spinning reel is a straightforward process. I typically hold the rod horizontally, placing my right index finger in front of the reel’s foot while my remaining fingers rest behind it. My left hand grips the rod butt. To prepare for the cast, I loop my index finger around the fishing line and open the reel’s bail, allowing the line to flow freely from the spool. With the lure dangling a foot from the rod tip, I swing the rod back behind my head. My right hand acts as a fulcrum while my left leverages the rod butt to flick the rod tip over my head, aiming in the desired direction. As the rod tip points where I want the lure to go, I release the line and watch it fly through the air. To stop the forward motion and land the lure precisely, I cup my left hand around the reel spool to manage the fishing line.
For shorter casts, I often employ a pendulum swing. As the lure gains momentum, I simply release the line and guide it toward my target.
While bottom fishing may look easy, it comes with its own challenges. The key is maintaining contact with the bottom of the water without slack in your line. To get started, I dangle the lure just above the water’s surface while keeping the line taut with my index finger and opening the bail. Once I release the line, the lure descends through the water. When I feel the line stop flowing from the reel and goes slack, I close the bail and reel in a few turns to retrieve any loose line. Keeping the line tight enhances sensitivity, allowing me to feel the lure at the bottom and detect any nibbles from fish. To stay connected, I lift and drop the rod tip consistently. If I feel the line go slack and can sense the bottom, that tells me I’m in the zone. If not, I let out more line to drop the lure deeper.
George Poveromo
Landing and Handling Fish
When a fish is on the line, preparation and patience are crucial. The adrenaline rush of feeling a bite followed by the struggle of a fish fighting for its life is an unforgettable experience. Working the rod and reel to reel in the line while hoping that the hooks and line hold can be quite nerve-wracking.
Landing the fish begins with the hook setting process. When I feel that crucial bite, I lift the rod tip to eliminate slack and drive the hook point firmly into the fish’s mouth. If I’m using a circle hook, I reel in the line tightly to ensure the hook lodges in the corner of the fish’s mouth.
The secret to successfully landing a fish lies in maintaining tension in the line. It’s essential to avoid slack that could cause the hook to dislodge. I reel in the line while allowing the fish to run—this way, pressure remains on the line at all times. When the fish takes off, I stop reeling to give the drag room to release line from the spool. I typically set my drag pressure at approximately one-third of the breaking strength of the line. As the fish starts to tire and I feel a reduction in line tension, I resume reeling to bring the fish in. Mastering the art of balancing retrieval and allowing the fish to run is vital for success.
When it’s time to lift the fish out of the water and into my boat, I handle smaller fish by swinging them out. However, for larger catches, I recommend using a landing net that has a handle long enough to reach the water while also being wide enough for my target species.
When the fish is close to the surface, I dip the net hoop halfway into the water. I then guide the fish into the hoop headfirst with the rod tip. Once caught, I lift the net to bring the fish out of the water and onto the deck of my boat.
Pier anglers can utilize a similar technique with a pier net—simply a large hoop attached to a long rope. If I’m fishing from the shore, I gracefully work the fish into shallow waters before using the rod tip to drag it up onto the beach.
To unhook the fish, I rely on needle-nose pliers. If I intend to keep my catch, I use the net to transport it to my cooler. When it comes to releasing, I quickly unhook the fish and grip its jaw with a fish gripper, while my other hand supports its belly. I gently lower the fish back into the water and hold it until it regains consciousness and swims off—a sure sign that it’s healthy and ready to go.
Conclusion
Saltwater fishing brings joy to both beginners and seasoned experts. The thrill of finding and outsmarting a fish remains undiminished with experience. The more knowledge I gain about fishing, the more I seek to challenge myself, aiming for species that are harder to catch in locations that pose their own challenges. Even after years on the water, I still have my fair share of skunked days. Losing fish and snagging lures is part of the adventure.
Fishing attracts those who are both determined and patient. I firmly believe in never giving up and am always willing to invest extra time on the water. To expand my skills, I often seek advice from experts at tackle shops and have enlisted local guides to help refine my techniques. Watching videos and diving into literature about my target species—and even learning from anglers specializing in different fish—has been incredibly beneficial.
I built my foundational fishing skills by spending time on piers, jetties, and party boats. Gradually, my experience evolved into shore fishing and eventually into kayak and boat fishing.
Ultimately, a day spent on the water is the true prize, while the act of catching fish is merely the cherry on top. The early mornings, the drive to my fishing spots, the anticipation while waiting for a bite, the thrill of reeling in a fish, and savoring a fresh seafood dinner are what make it all worthwhile. As the seasoned anglers say, “You can’t catch them from the couch.”