saltwater flyfishing basics

[bhamoggy]

this sounds really interesting as i've never tried this before.
didn't even know people went fly-fishing in salt water.

would somone be kind enough to explain the basics from locations to tackle and technique please.

i have a beach rod and spinning rod and rear drag fixed spool reels. would i need different gear for this method?

thanks in advance

[Steinbeisser]

this sounds really interesting as i've never tried this before.
didn't even know people went fly-fishing in salt water.

would somone be kind enough to explain the basics from locations to tackle and technique please.

i have a beach rod and spinning rod and rear drag fixed spool reels. would i need different gear for this method?

thanks in advance

I have been buying some gear for fly fishing in salt water (but in my case it would probably be the Baltic Sea - for Sea Trout in the spring). Sea fishing flies are heavier than normal trout flies so the gear is a little heavier than for trout fishing. Fly rods are pretty light in weight compared to the normal spinning rods and the fixed spool reel will be too heavy for the fly rod, plus the rings on a fly rod are quite small compared to a spinning rod.

For sea fly fishing you normally require a fly rod of about 9'6" length (single handed) and #9 weight (or possibly #8 weight). A centre pin fly reel is used and you need a special fly line matched to the weight of the rod. i.e. a #9 weight fly line. I think a floating line is best for sea fishing (but fly lines are made in different sinking rates depending on what depth you want your fly to fish at).

For sea fishing the fly line is normally a Weight Forward or a Shooting Taper fly line. No lead weights are used - all the weight is in the special fly line for casting.

Suggest you look at Mike Thrussel's Diary section as he has some stuff on sea fly fishing there. Also search for the SexyLoops Fly Fishing Website for more info.

Hope this is of some help.

Steinbeisser

[bhamoggy]

many thanks for all the information.
i'll look at the sites you mentioned.
i'd like to watch someone do it for real i think.

anyone here fly fish saltwater from brighton to worthing who'll let me watch and pick up some sdvice and tips?

[Flyguy]

I would advise you get a basic casting lesson and borrow some fly gear until you know what you want/need.

The US guys have been doing it for years so buy/borrow anything written by Lou Tabory or Ed Mitchell. This will give you a basic understanding of what you need to look for.

Your range is 30yrds max! so you need to fish smarter and locate marks that are within this range. Flyfishing involves alot of moving around so prepare to walk, climb, scrammble.

Regardless of rod/reel/line you get you will need waders/decent boots, stripping/line tray (make one) and 1/2 decent polariods.

Join BASS you will learn alot.

Flyguy

[bhamoggy]

cheers fella.
its obviously a real art but one i think i'd relish

[Flyguy]

Like all fishing it's about being at the right place at right time. If you can catch fish on lure you'll be able to on fly. You will just need to learn a few basic things to enable you to get a fly out. Most fly caught fish are caught within 50ft so don't let the whole casting thing put you off.

Flyguy

[oakley_ten]

Steinbeisser sums it up really:-

9-10ft, 8 or 9 grade rod, matching carbon fly reel loaded with shooting head or weight forward line. Use wet flies that look like fish or maybe shrimps (not tried those). You need to pick your marks and fish very early or late to avoid the crowds. Avoid onshore winds (usually evenings) and remember whatever casts out in front of you also hangs out the back so trees, beach huts and cliffs make things difficult. I only use minimal gear; a hiking ruksac, sandles and a bucket tied round my waist to drop the loose line in. Its good fun, but the fish tend to be undersize (bass). I'm going to try for mullet next summer. Meanwhile, I've found I really enjoy Trout fishing as a result of fishing a few local lakes while practising for the sea - a 6lb Rainbow tops a 1/2lb Bass everytime!

[Flyguy]

I have to say I think catching a wild bass beats the crap out catching a pellet fed trout. Just my view.

As for undersized bass your fishing in the wrong places. my best is 7.5lb this year and quite a few fish in the 4-5lb range. A 3lb bass is good fun on a fly rod. Don't think that fly will just catch twinkies.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/johnrtaylor/Bass-021005d.JPG

[oakley_ten]

I have to say I think catching a wild bass beats the crap out catching a pellet fed trout. Just my view.

As for undersized bass your fishing in the wrong places. my best is 7.5lb this year and quite a few fish in the 4-5lb range. A 3lb bass is good fun on a fly rod. Don't think that fly will just catch twinkies.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/johnrtaylor/Bass-021005d.JPG

Pellet fed or not - they put up a hell of a fight! 7.5lb Bass - PHEW! I'd love to catch that on normal gear! I don't know if I'm fishing the wrong places as Mike Ladle fishes the same spots - I think I'm fishing the wrong tide conditions and maybe using the wrong flies - I'll have another go next spring!

[dc101]

Oakley,

Hope you don't mind me asking....I see you are Hampshire based. Do you fish on Hayling. Am planning to have a go at this next spring and am interested in good spots. I understand the sand bar near the golf course is good at low tide (doh! when else would the sand show!).

[Flyguy]

Oakley, if you are fishing in the same places and at the same times as Mike then your in the money. Just a matter of time before you start catching larger fish.

[oakley_ten]

Oakley, if you are fishing in the same places and at the same times as Mike then your in the money. Just a matter of time before you start catching larger fish.

If it don't happen soon then I'm going to :-

1) stamp my tackle into the beach.

or

2) start grenade fishing.


I'm not saying I'm fishing with Mike (never met him) but I fish the same spots!

[Angling]

Its not just about Bassing.

Mullet, Pollock, Mackerel and Garr are fall to the fly. I have read about the odd flounder being landed on a fly rod as well.

PS that is a lovely Bass (the picture on page 2) nice angling

[Flyguy]

If it don't happen soon then I'm going to :-

1) stamp my tackle into the beach.

or

2) start grenade fishing.


I'm not saying I'm fishing with Mike (never met him) but I fish the same spots!

Thank *** for lifetime warranties :) I bust a few rods by throwing them down :blink:

[jimbofisher]

Its not just about Bassing.

Mullet, Pollock, Mackerel and Garr are fall to the fly. I have read about the odd flounder being landed on a fly rod as well.

PS that is a lovely Bass (the picture on page 2) nice angling

Add wrasse, whiting, pouting and scad to the above list and thats what ive had in cornwall on the fly. If you ever get down this way you should bring a fly rod with you...you would be gutted it you didnt!

[jimbofisher]

AMEN!!! What a cracking fish too!! :clap3: :clap3:

[jimbofisher]

I have to say I think catching a wild bass beats the crap out catching a pellet fed trout. Just my view.

As for undersized bass your fishing in the wrong places. my best is 7.5lb this year and quite a few fish in the 4-5lb range. A 3lb bass is good fun on a fly rod. Don't think that fly will just catch twinkies.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/johnrtaylor/Bass-021005d.JPG

meant to put this with the above post!!

[andrewbrogar]

I have been buying some gear for fly fishing in salt water (but in my case it would probably be the Baltic Sea - for Sea Trout in the spring). Sea fishing flies are heavier than normal trout flies so the gear is a little heavier than for trout fishing. Fly rods are pretty light in weight compared to the normal spinning rods and the fixed spool reel will be too heavy for the fly rod, plus the rings on a fly rod are quite small compared to a spinning rod.

For sea fly fishing you normally require a fly rod of about 9'6" length (single handed) and #9 weight (or possibly #8 weight). A centre pin fly reel is used and you need a special fly line matched to the weight of the rod. i.e. a #9 weight fly line. I think a floating line is best for sea fishing (but fly lines are made in different sinking rates depending on what depth you want your fly to fish at).

For sea fishing the fly line is normally a Weight Forward or a Shooting Taper fly line. No lead weights are used - all the weight is in the special fly line for casting.

Suggest you look at Mike Thrussel's Diary section as he has some stuff on sea fly fishing there. Also search for the SexyLoops Fly Fishing Website for more info.

Hope this is of some help.

Steinbeisser
Ive fly fished for game fish but ive turned to sea now never though of fly for bass do you fish from beach or boat whats best,i tie my own flys it would be nice of you if you could show some samples ide get some idea of them i no in game fishing the fly normally takes the bigger trout or salmon be interested to here from you. Andy

[Steinbeisser]

Ive fly fished for game fish but ive turned to sea now never though of fly for bass do you fish from beach or boat whats best,i tie my own flys it would be nice of you if you could show some samples ide get some idea of them i no in game fishing the fly normally takes the bigger trout or salmon be interested to here from you. Andy

Hi Andrew

I have only just got most of the gear together and will now be looking to my club for some fly casting instruction. I have not done any fly fishing before (apart from Mackies but that doesn't count!!). Some of the appeal at least is being able to travel light.

As I live in northern Germany, it will be the Baltic Sea Coast - Schleswig-Holstein, near Fehmarn, etc. Most of the fly fishing there is for sea trout and although I am told there are some there now, the real season in Feb-Mar and of course the sea is rather chilly then. (I suppose I could have a go at pike fishing in club waters with flies, as the gear is reasonably similar in weight, apart from the flies).

The Baltic is only about 5ppm salt compared to the North Sea at around 35 ppm so we don't get bass there as far as I am aware. The Baltic is fairly shallow so people wade out to the first sand bank and fish from there. Not seen people fly fishing from boats in the Baltic but I suppose it is possible.

I also intend to try some fly fishing for trout (when I have scraped together the appropriate gear) in one of the club's ponds, though sometimes it is hard enough to catch fish there even with bait!!

Steinbeisser