Getting Started Flyfishing The Salt

[chris]

I recently moved from Northern Connecticut (Go UCONN) to Rhode Island. I've flyfished the sweet water all my life but now find myself in a whole new ballgame. My question is if anybody can help me out by providing some tips on a good all-around setup for flyfishing saltwater as well as any other suggestions/pointers for getting started. Any info would really be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[cumberlandflyguy]

Chris, I stasrted fishing the salt last season. Based on my hard earned experience here are a few suggestions.

1) Get a lesson (or 2 or 3). An hour's worth of lessons pays off dramatically.
2) Practice (beach backyard etc)
3) Buy good equipment. I made the mistake of buying a inexpensive package from an national outfitter. I have since upgraded and the difference was substantial, better casts, retrieves etc.
4) Fish often, if you can find a few fellow fish addicts it helps as you can learn a lot. (Anyone know of any good groups here?)

[cchobot]

Thanks for the great post cumberland. As per the groups, we're just getting started and are willing to implement any good suggestions as to the format of these forums. What group(s) would you like to see so we can set them up?

Thanks again for this great post.

[cumberlandflyguy]

I would like to find other people who are fishing the salt to get together and fish, tie in the winter etc

[Skipnoid]

Hi Guys,

The Reel Time forums have a trip sharing forum which seems pretty good. I'm still learning the salt myself and have often times considered using it. Might be a good basis for the above request. Maybe call it "Hook Up" or something????? What I find with Reel Time is that there's not a lot of RI information. I have a 24' Grady in Warwick and fish out to Newport, so I'm psyched about these new forums! Done lots of freshwater fishing for big and small fish including two years guiding in Alaska. I'm still pretty clueless in the salt, but it's cool because I'm like a little kid all over again! At this point I have a ball just tossing light tackle and flies at the blues

[SageBoy]

Chris,

Will you be fishing from shore or a boat? Depending on what you will be doing will depend on what you might want to start out for a setup.

I'm assuming you will be targeting Blues, Bass and possibly Tunoids.

A 9W rod is a good all round rod for shore fishing and a 10w is usually a good all round rod for fishing out of a boat.

[cchobot]

Thanks for this suggestion. Keep the suggestions coming. The forums are shaping up nicely.

-- We had posted a Trip Sharing Forum briefly, but it's currently back in production. We want to make sure we set it up right.

[chris]

Have one buddy w/ a boat but I'm thinking the majority of the time would be spent from shore. Bass & Blues would be the target species.

Any tips on a good beginning setup that isn't going to be too $$$. It's not that I don't know that you get what you pay for - I've experienced the difference when it comes to freshwater - the thing is that I'm rather strapped for cash.

I've heard good things @ Templefork ... Any thoughts?

Sageboy, I'm thinking you may recommend a sage

[cumberlandflyguy]

Chris,

Whatever you do get something decent. I made the mistake of getting a rig for $200 from an national outfitter. Huge mistake. The rod was (is) decent but stiff. The reel was fine for fresh water but did not hold up to salt conditions and species, it lasted one season. I upgraded the rod and reel in Jan and the difference is significant and much more enjoyable. The new rig cost me $600, but I threw a little extra $ and got an upgraded reel.

Go to your local shop (or if there is no one local get on the phone with them) and spend some time discussing your needs with a pro. Give them your budget and have them set you up with something that fits your needs. End of season may also get you some discounts.

Good luck let us know what you end up with

[crazygoof]

Chris,
Go with TFO! I'm a huge fan of them. I never fished them until I went to Iraq, but they sent me some over there and I love them. I am currently saving my pennies to buy a 10' 9wt, it is a great rod. TFO sent me one to demo and I am hooked on it. You can't go wrong and they stand behind their warrantly. Best rod for the money, hands down.