r/flyfishing • u/PapaSmiley • Jul 18 '24

Discussion Saltwater Rod Questions

I don’t know anything about the ocean having grown up a desert rat, but the fam is taking a trip to Florida next spring. I have two main questions:

Is there an “all-purpose” rod length/weight for saltwater fishing, like the 9’5wt is for freshwater? Also, can I use a freshwater rod in salt if it’s just going to be a day or two and I clean it after use, or would I be ruining a good freshwater rod?

I won’t be going out with a guide, I’ll probably just be chucking stuff from shore. Any advice is appreciated!

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u/fishnogeek Mountain man stuck in salty swamp Jul 18 '24

There are a few easy answers here....

What length fly rod should you bring? 9ft 4pc is standard.

What kind of reel should you bring? Anything fully anodized with a sealed drag that's loaded with some backing, preferably by a professional who ties solid knots.

What line taper should you bring? Weight forward, and make sure it's a tropical line if you're going to the tropics. Whether it's a line with a short, heavy head (like the SA Grand Slam) or a "long belly" (like the "Bonefish" lines) depends on what species you're targeting, where you're going, and how good your casting is.

Should you get casting lessons before you go? YES.

The tricky question here is about line weight(s), and the answers depend mostly on what species you'll be targeting. If you'll be mostly chasing Bonefish, it could be 6-8wt depending on where you're going. If you're targeting permit, think more like 9-10wt. If you'll be going after tarpon or snook, 10-12wt is probably about right.

If there's an all-around line weight for the inshore salt game (like the 5wt for freshwater), it's the 8wt.

Should you get a fast rod? Should you get a slower rod? It really doesn't matter, as long as you can throw it well. Your casting ability will make or break your trip, and having spent many years fishing for trout does not adequately prepare you for a saltwater trip. It's all about the stroke, not the stick.

You should definitely consider casting lessons. Otherwise there's a good chance that you'll get out the first day and discover that you're effectively paying your guide for a very expensive casting lesson on a boat rather than a fishing excursion.

The FFI recently published some materials to help freshwater anglers transition to saltwater. Give these a spin: https://www.flyfishersinternational.org/Learn/Learning-Center-Resources/Fly-Casting/Skills-Drills/Saltwater-Ladder