Saltwater Fishing: What You Need To Know

Saltwater fishing is an exciting activity. There are plenty of places you can visit to catch your favorite fish. You can catch flounder, Spanish mackerel, king salmon, redfish, and many more. It can be hard at first, but it is fulfilling once you hold your first catch. 

Fishing in the ocean is more complicated and challenging since it is larger and has a lot of things you should consider. It differs from freshwater fishing, where you can fish in ponds, lakes, rivers, and streams. It requires a lot of effort and patience to master, but it is why many anglers are hooked on saltwater fishing. 

If you are interested in trying this exciting activity, here are some of the things you should learn about saltwater fishing:

1. Know What Type of Saltwater Fishing is Ideal for Beginners 

Surf or pier fishing and flats fishing are ideal for beginners. You can easily stand on a shoreline and cast a 12 to 15 feet long surf fishing rod with a 20 to 25-pound test line, or get on a flat boat and try your luck in flat fishing using a 6 to 7-foot medium-action fishing rod and a spinning reel with a 15-pound test weighted line. 

No matter where you go or what fishing technique you wish to use, as long as you are in the ocean with appropriate fishing gear, you are good to go. 

2. Choose Suitable Saltwater Rods and Reels 

Choosing saltwater rods and reels depends on what type of fish you want to catch, where you wish to acquire, and if you're going to use a troll, a bait cast, or a metal jig when fishing. 

You can use longer rods to cast farther, but shorter rods are much more powerful when reeling in the fish. For reels, the high-speed one is for fast baits, while the low speed is more capable of fighting the fish. To ensure the best equipment to use, match the reel to the weight of the rod's line, and check the lure weight to the rod.

3. Always Carry Your Fishing Tools

When you go fishing, it is a must to always bring your fishing tools with you. These tools include saltwater gaffs and nets for much safer catch-and-release fishing. Pliers and scissors to remove hooks, tighten knots, or cut wires, a hook remover for quickly removing a hook, and fishing knives for cleaning the fish or cutting the bait. 

4. Don't Forget the Bait 

Choosing a bait depends on how your target fish feeds. You must consider the sound, scent, and movement when determining what bait to lure in the fish to bite your bait. 

Saltwater Fishing requires either live bait that includes crab, shrimp, clam, squid, mussels, and bait fish or artificial bait like spinnerbaits, metal jigs, plug fishing lures, and lead-headed jigs. 

5. Acquire a Fishing License 

Some states implement fishing regulations to protect fish populations. To experience the state's saltwater fishing opportunities, you must first acquire a valid fishing license.

Acquiring a fishing license gives you the benefit of abundant fishing and creating new circles with your co-anglers. 

6. Learn Different Saltwater Fishing Techniques 

Saltwater Fishing is a favorite activity that has been enjoyed by many. Many fishing techniques have been developed to help anglers land a big catch.

Below are the most used techniques in fishing:

• Hand gathering is a saltwater fishing technique that only uses hands to catch various fish species. This technique works best since the waves are not that strong during low tide.
• Spearfishing, on the other hand, requires a spear and snorkeling or scuba diving gear. You can perform it on land and throw the javelin as you see the fish. On the other hand, you can do it while scuba diving for a greater experience.
• Cast net fishing is the most efficient and sustainable technique for catching small to medium size fish. This method involves a cast net which you throw in the water and land on a large area securing a bountiful catch.

7. Consider Sunrise or Sunset Fishing

You can fish at any time of the day. But, expert anglers say there are certain times when fishing opportunities are at their peak. Try fishing during this time. 

8. Learn About the Tides and Moon Phase

It is common knowledge that changes in the moon's phase cause tides. Therefore, it affects fishing opportunities. The best time to go for saltwater fishing is before the full moon, while the worst is said to be after it. 

9. Make time to Converse with the Locals. 

When you are going in for some saltwater fishing escapade, no matter where you are, try to communicate with local anglers in that place because they will be the ones to guide you. They know the waters even better than any general guide and can assist you on how to successfully land a great catch of your favorite saltwater fish species.

10. Fishing with a Guide

Experimenting by yourself during fishing tours is exciting yet time-consuming. Developing your skills takes a lot of time and money, so hiring someone who can help you learn the process more effectively is wiser. They can teach you how to use your gear and equipment properly, teach you new techniques, and guide you safely to your destination.

One of the saltwater fish species you may target is tuna, and South Carolina is one of the places where you can catch them. If you are going tuna fishing South Carolina, check out guide services from the North Island Fishing Charters. It is led by Captain Nicholas Brown, who specializes in saltwater fishing.

You can also find guides specializing in other saltwater species, such as striped bass fishing charters and crappie fishing trips guides.

Recreational Saltwater Fishing is one of the sought-after activities for anglers. Whether a beginner or a pro, they will take time to experience catching a gamefish using techniques like deep sea fishing, surf fishing, and inshore fishing. Obtain a valid fishing and hunting license to fully enjoy the thrill of catching your favorite saltwater fish species.