Saltwater Angling – Tricks for Using Light Tackle

Today, the chief trend in saltwater fishing is toward the use of lighter tackle. Although the time-honored heavy outfits still have a place, great numbers of saltwater anglers are finding that they have more fun—and catch as many fish—with outfits no heavier and little different from those used in fresh water. Actually, most fresh-water gear can be used for light-tackle saltwater fishing. On light tackle, many small- to medium-size inshore game fish, such as striped bass, bluefish, sea bass, shad, yellowtail, mackerel, and croakers, provide thrills rivaling those of the big-game species. While you can use still lighter conventional tackle, the term “light tackle” generally means the use of bait-casting, fly, push-button, or spinning tackle.

Part of the fun of light-tackle fishing is the element of surprise; in salt water nearly anything can happen. You may be fishing for weakfish, expecting fish of around a pound or two, and a 25-pound channel bass may decide to take your bait. Snook of around 5 to 10 pounds are great sport on light tackle, and it takes all the skill you possess to handle them; but when a tarpon of 60 to 70 pounds decides it likes the same lure—brother, you’ve got thrills, and plenty of them.

Bait Casting

The first type of light tackle used in salt water was the bait-casting outfit; it is still very popular today, and with good reason. Of all light tackle, bait-casting gear is best able to cope with large game fish.. This form of saltwater fishing may be done from rowboats, from the shores of inlets, bays, and lagoons, and from bridges and piers. Wherever fish congregate along the inshore waterways—and there are thousands of these spots dotting the Gulf of Mexico and Pacific and Atlantic coasts—plugs, spinners, spoons, or bait hurled out by the fresh-water (or special saltwater) casting rod will bring a sizable catch.

Fly Casting

While the fly rod was designed for a clear, fast-running trout or salmon stream, many light-tackle addicts have recently discovered that they may enjoy remarkable catches and unmatched sport on the salty waters with a fly rod and an appropriate lure. Saltwater fly fishing is gaining thousands of enthusiastic fans each season as the news spreads. Furthermore, this sport gives you another way to use your freshwater fly rod and reel, widening the scope of your angling vacations.

Many inshore species along the Gulf, around Florida, and up the Atlantic Coast will take fly-rod lures at one time or another, and when they do the fun really begins. Among these are such skill-testers as tarpon, dolphin, bone-fish, striped bass, barracuda, bluefish, snapper (baby blue-fish), snook, ladyfish, jack crevalle, pompano, shad, and mackerel. Around islands, up rivers, along lagoons, and in inlets you won’t lack for action. And of course the favorite light-tackle method of taking silver salmon in Pacific waters is with the fly rod and a hair fly simulating the action of a candlefish.

Spinning

Indeed monstrous fish could be taken on light spinning tackle. But for most saltwater spinning where heavy lines are employed in a variety of tough circumstances, you’re like to find much more success with a medium-heavy action rod with a middle-duty, saltwater, opened-face or closed-face spinning reel. This rig is especially appropriate for calm bays, reefs, or jetty work.  For heavy surf, and for large saltwater fish such as blue-fish, bonefìsh, and stripers, you’ll need a rod with the power necessary for long casts, for stopping long runs, and for keeping the fish from hanging upon underwater barnacled snags. In casting and trolling for the heavy fish, you’ll need a stiff rod with plenty of backbone.