saltwater flyfishing basics

**bhamoggy** · 15-11-2006, 21:32

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** · 16-11-2006, 11:00

Originally Posted by 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

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** · 16-11-2006, 17:40

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** · 16-11-2006, 18:50

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** · 16-11-2006, 20:55

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

**Flyguy** · 18-11-2006, 22:11

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** · 18-11-2006, 23:50

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** · 19-11-2006, 19:41

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.

**oakley_ten** · 19-11-2006, 23:33

Originally Posted by 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.

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** · 20-11-2006, 11:29

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!).