10 Fly Fishing Saltwater Tips

If you are heading out to the briny for some fishing, these 10 fly fishing saltwater tips may help you land more fish; or boat them, as the case may be. It is a different kind of fishing than fly fishing fresh water. Both are great, but you'll have more fun if you know these tips.

1. Choose the right hours to fish. One of the best tips is to talk to the locals to learn when the fish are biting the best. If you're fishing near the shoreline, don't fish when other people are using it for recreation. Generally, early-morning and evening are the best times for fly fishing saltwater.
2. Wear polarized glasses. It can be extremely hard to see out on the water. You need to be able to see the fish. Polarized glasses will help with that. Glasses can also be useful in protecting your eyes from hooks.
3. Don't overlook the shoreline. It is not always necessary to be out on a boat when fly fishing saltwater. Many times, there are plenty of fish near the shoreline. You can use a rod of up to 16-feet length for this. That will help you to cast out further into the surf.
4. Watch the skies for birds. Birds want to get to the fish as badly as you do. If you see them hovering over an area, that means they see fish. You should move is quietly into that area as you can to fish it.
5. Watch the water for boils. Bait fish near the surface can cause the water to appear to be boiling. That means there are larger fish below the bait fish that are trying to get to them. Cautiously move into the area to get your share of the larger fish.
6. Look for tidal pools. Places were tidal pools empty into the sea are excellent fishing spots. When tidal pools empty out into the sea, they carry with them the bait fish that larger fish love to eat. Plan to be at that spot during that time.
7. Look for structure. One of the best fly fishing saltwater tips is to fish structure. Fish like hiding places and structure provides it. Changes to the shoreline, drop-offs, changes to the bottom caused by rocks, and the mouths of rivers can all be excellent places for fly fishing.
8. Vary your retrieval speed. When fly fishing saltwater, you may see fish following your fly. If they are not biting, slow down your retrieval speed. This will give them a chance to take your fly. If they still don't take it, speed the retrieval up. This may excite them into a reaction bite.
9. Try different flies. If you know there are fish in the area that are not biting, try a different type of fly. Larger or smaller flies, or different colored flies, may be a better offering. Don't be married to just one fly.
10. Chum the area. Throwing chum into the waters where you are fishing may attract fish to your boat. Chum is typically buckets full of cut up fish and fish guts. When the fish come to feed on that, they will be yours for the catching.