Check out this week’s Fishing Tips feature from the Huge Fly Fisherman. This video presents some great beginner tips for saltwater fly fishing. Check out the sparknotes below.
Casting
- You don’t have to cast that far, but you do have to practice.
- Sometimes you’ll have to cast far, but most casts are within 40 feet.
- Get your cast down to two or three false casts
- Get your double haul dialed in.
- Practice!
Sight-fishing
- Good pair of polarized sunglasses.
- If you’re having trouble sighting the fish, tell the guide or whoever you’re with.
Wading
- Shuffle your feet when walking so that you don’t step on a stingray.
Boating Etiquette
- Stand down the center of the boat so it does’t rock.
- Don’t slam the hatches.
- Clean your feet off before entering the boat.
- Practice responsible boating safety.
Guides
- Find a guide.
- Leave them a good tip.
- At new spots ask your guide about the likelihood of sharks and the depth
Sun Protection
- Long sleeves
- Hood
- Buff
- Sun screen (don’t forget the tops of your feet and the underside of your nose)
Weather and Clothing
- High quality rain gear.
- Spare change of cloths.
- Leave the loafers at home and buy some soft soled shoes.
Learn Some New Terminology
- “Nervous water”
- “Uplight/Downlight”
- “Up-sea / down-sea”
- “Tide / Current”
- “Headwake”
Rinse Your Gear
- Saltwater is corrosive, so your gear needs to be rinsed often.
Learn About Tides
- Spots change depending on the tide.
- Explore and figure out spots at different tides.
Relax and Stay Calm
- When you blow the shot, don’t beat yourself up.
- Analyze what happened and move forward.
Stay tuned for more installments of Fishing Tips!
