Tips for the saltwater angler embarking on this exciting flyfishing challenge for the first time.

A rapidly growing side to the sport, saltwater flyfishing is accessible, exciting and unpredictable – what’s more it offers a multitude of hard-fighting species to pursue. Pound for pound, the majority of saltwater fish, both in the UK and abroad, are faster and tougher than their freshwater cousins because the habitat in which they are most often found necessitates this. They are all wild fish and most feed hard and take a fly well. Heavier line rated outfits are required for this calibre of sport, with a good all-rounder being a fast action 9ft #8 rod, ideally with large rings and an anodised reel seat to avoid salt corrosion. This, coupled with a large capacity reel (200 yards of backing) with a quality drag system holding a saltwater flyline of the relevant density, and you are well on your way to targeting your first of many fly-caught sea fish.

However, given the harsh environment as well as the size of some of the streamer patterns used, we often need to go heavier than a #8 rod to be in with a chance. It is always best to have an advisor to help tailor your outfit to suit the specific requirements for the destination and species in mind. Many UK saltwater flyfishers use a shooting head system to offer easy distance casting with a range of different sink rates to suit various marks and fishing situations. Very often the success is in getting your fly in front of feeding fish very quickly before they pass you by or dive deep and out of sight. When the fishing is visual, the casting may need to be quick, accurate and at the same time delicately presented to have your fly taken. Your trout lines won’t last long here; saltwater flylines are of a tougher coating and stiffer core, with tropical lines being specifically designed not to go limp when used in such warm water. They all tend to have a much steeper forward taper to help turn over large flies and are of a weight forward or shooting head design profile.

Being able to cast well will, without doubt, improve your catch rate, so book a lesson with a reputable APGAI-qualified instructor. Learning to double haul will help in all flyfishing situations, but more so when trying to cast a large saltwater fly into a strong headwind. The rewards are worth the effort.

In many situations, especially fishing from rock marks or in the surf, a good stripping basket is essential. With the strong movement of the water around you it is impossible to have any control over your loose line, so to have it lying in coils in a basket is a luxury you will soon find indispensable. Another piece of kit to be thankful for are finger stripping guards. These inexpensive items are a godsend for fingers softened by saltwater to prevent cuts caused by line stripping. Tropical fishermen wear them together with a soft glove to protect the backs of their hands from the constant battering of the sun.

Taking account of your target area, the seabed you’re wading over, the likely weather and the possible worst weather scenario, as well as the temperatures, will determine what attire and protective clothing you should be wearing. For cold saltwater, use Gore-Tex waders and wading jacket, and for tropical
fishing it is advisable to stick to long-sleeved shirts and long trousers, preferably of a technical garment using sun protection fabric. And don’t forget footwear; the seabed, as beautiful as it is, can be littered with all kinds of undesirable, sharp and stinging creatures. Good flats boots are a must.

As with all areas of flyfishing there is much to learn. The tactics, the tackle, the flies, the species and their characteristics all can be learnt through reading and research. However, above all in saltwater flyfishing (especially when it comes to the larger fish) it is advisable to brush up on knots and rigging. These fish test your tackle to the limit and you will remember every knot that slips as much as you will the fantastic fish you catch. Good luck