Saltwater Fly Fishing Start Up
by Capt. Mike Fallon, Manolin Charters
Capt. Mike with a nice striper on the fly!
So you want to try fly fishing for stripers?
If you have a background in freshwater fly fishing, then you're well on your way to getting started. You can even use your freshwater largemouth gear to get your feet wet; make sure everything gets a thorough rinsing with fresh water afterward (as you should with any equipment exposed to the salt).
There are, however, many differences between freshwater and saltwater fly fishing. While the saltwater environment tends to be much more open and snag-free above the water, it is often much windier. You are also tangling with bigger fish, fishing strong currents, and exposing your equipment to the harsh saltwater environment. In this blog, I will go over setting yourself up with the correct equipment and describe the critical factors of why.
Equipment Essentials
The most significant difference between freshwater fly fishing compared to saltwater flyfishing is the type of line and weight of the line needed to deliver a properly sized fly. An important note for beginners to consider: when fly fishing, the weight of the line generates the power to cast the lure. This design differs from conventional spinning tackle, where the lure's weight is what propels your cast. Your fly rod outfit is a system working together. To achieve maximum functionality, you must match the rod, line, fly, and reel. For example, this is why using too light of a fly rod will cause frustration when attempting to cast common striper fly like a Clouser minnow or Leftys deceivers and larger baitfish patterns that range from #2-10/0. The larger flies do not mesh well with too light of a rod, leading to angler aggravation. While the overall weight of the fly is of most importance for casting (and selecting the proper fly line to turn it over), the bulkiness or wind resistance of the fly also affects casting, especially when it's windy.
Large herring patterns are an early season go-to for fly fishermen.
Fly Lines
I use a fast sinking line 90% of the time when striper fishing, but an intermediate will work in a pinch. There are strong currents where I fish, and I want to get that fly 3-6ft below the surface and into the strike zone as quickly as possible, maximizing the time a fish can find the fly on each cast.
My go-to line is a Rio Striper line. I use
300 GR for an 8 wt
350 GR for a 9 wt
400 - 450 g for a 10 wt
With 1-3 false casts, I can chuck the fly a long distance. The lower number of false casts is essential because if you're making 5-6 false casts every time, your fly spends a lot more time in the air than the water. Efficiency in your fundamentals will allow you more time with bait in the water, which means more of a chance for you to catch fish!
The Rio Striper lines have an intermediate running line with an integrated 30ft fast-sinking head. Several other companies make similar lines and will work great. Whatever the company, make sure to buy the appropriate weight line for your rod. If you are a wader, one consideration is intermediate running line sinks, so you'll want a stripping basket to avoid tangles around your feet.
Rods
Local fly fishermen's most common rod weights are 8, 9, or 10wts. If you have a 6-8wt freshwater bass rod, you're in the ball game for estuaries and smaller flies. If I had to pick one, it would be a 9wt. 8wts tend to be lighter and are ideal for tossing moderate-sized flies for long periods without wearing you out, but if it's windy or you're trying to cast a sizeable herring pattern, I'll always reach for my 10wt. 10wts effectively deliver large, bulky flies to distant targets but require a bit more effort to cast.
Another consideration with fly rods is how "fast" they are. Faster rods allow you to put more energy (and distance) into your cast, but the timing of your cast needs to be on point. Faster rods can be a bit more unforgiving than their mod-fast counterparts.
If you're starting out, don't over gun yourself with a super-fast action rod as it may leave you frustrated. Many companies make excellent saltwater fly rods. I've personally had great luck with Temple Forks Outfitter (TFO), St Croix, Sage, Redington, and Allen rods.
Reels
Reels are not as important as your rod or line in fly fishing. The reel needs to be reliable, have some drag system, and not lock up as long as you can fit 100+ yards of 30lb dacron or power pro braid, plus your fly line; you should be equipped for any of our local species aside from foul hooking a sturgeon. Just look for a reel that's appropriately matched for your rod for saltwater use.
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