While high-visibility saltwater line is easier for the angler to see, camouflaged or clear line is generally considered the best saltwater fishing line as it is virtually invisible to the fish. Once you’ve settled on the pound test and color of the line, the next step is to choose monofilament, fluorocarbon or braid.
Table of Contents
What do I need for saltwater fly fishing?

What is the best fly rod for saltwater fishing?
- Orvis Clearwater Fly Rod.
- St. Croix Imperial.
- Thomas and Thomas Zane Fly Rod.
- SAGE Maverick Saltwater Fly Fishing Rod.
- G. Loomis NRX+ Saltwater.
- Winston Saltwater Air.
- Epic Boca Grande Fly Rod.
- L.L.Bean Streamlight Ultra II Saltwater.
Do you need a saltwater fly rod?
If you have only fished for trout and bass, your first questions might be, “What kind of rod do I need? Does it have to be different than what I already have?” Actually, any rod that works in freshwater will work in saltwater fishing, but there are trade-offs. Saltwater is corrosive to many metals.
What weight fly rod for salt water?
If you’re fishing saltwater and say you want to fish for redfish, trout, or bone fish, a solid 8wt fly rod is going to be best. If you plan to target permit or striped bass you’re probably going to want a 10wt. Anything larger like tarpon or sharks I would suggest going with a 12wt.
Do I need tippet for saltwater fly fishing?
Slicked-off conditions require a longer, softer-landing tippet than when fishing in choppy water. But when the wind picks up, try a shorter, heavier tippet to help turn over the fly. ON A WINDY MORNING a couple years ago, a friend and I were chasing reds when a spring squall hit.
How do you set up a saltwater fly line?

Can you use regular fly line in saltwater?
G’day Bucky, There is no issue using Freshwater lines in saltwater, it does not effect the PVC in any way. The difference with Fresh and saltwater is usually based around the core and different climates they are used in. Generally saltwater lines are used in warmer climates therefore they have stiffer cores.
How do you rig a saltwater fly rod?

What is a 10 weight fly rod good for?
10wt fly rods are pretty good for casting heavier and larger dry flies. Plus, they’re great at for casting over longer distances against the wind. In addition, 10wts are a good choice when it comes to fishing from different positions such as standing on the boat or from the shoreline.
Is there a difference between freshwater and saltwater fly rods?
The obvious difference between a saltwater and a freshwater rod of the same weight is the fittings. Salt water environments corrode, so the fittings are all made from corrosion resistant materials. Saltwater rods work fine in fresh water, but not vice versa.
What is a 7 wt fly rod good for?
If you’re looking for a rod that can handle a variety of fishing techniques, specifically for larger fish, then you’ll want to add 7 wt fly rod to your quiver. They excel at casting large flies, streamers with sink tips, handling wind, and casting long distances.
Is an 8wt too big for trout?
The 8-Weight Rod This rod is ideal for stripers, redfish, black drum, sea trout, flounder, largemouth and smallmouth bass, carp, catfish, snakeheads, pickerel, bluefish, pike, bonefish, big trout, salmon, small tarpon and can be used for panfish.
What is a 12 wt fly rod used for?
If you’re tarpon fishing somewhere you’ll be making a lot of casts, ie you fish rolling tarpon, or laid up fish, think about going with an 11 weight. If you spend a lot of time waiting with your rod in hand and letting the fish come to you, go with a 12 weight.
What is a 5 wt fly rod good for?
5-weight fly rods are the most popular and versatile of all fly rods for freshwater anglers. Anglers use 5-weight fly rods not just for trout, but also for bass, bluegills, perch, whitefish, carp and even catfish! 5-weight fly rods have become the single quiver rod for many freshwater anglers.
What is a 9 weight fly rod used for?
9wt fly rods are designed for allowing anglers to remain calm and anxiety-free, especially when it comes to hard pulling fishes, such as carp or salmon . The 9wt is the muscle-car of fly rods!
How long should a saltwater fly leader be?
There’s a good reason for this 9-foot leaders work great for 90 percent of all fly fishing scenarios in both freshwater and saltwater. A 9-foot leader is long enough to achieve good presentations and drag-free drifts, yet not so long that it’s unwieldy to cast.
How do you make a saltwater fly leader?

What is the difference between a leader and tippet?
The correct leader weight is primarily determined by the size of the fly. So what is tippet? Tippet is a specific gauge monofilament line that is attached to the end of the leader, to which you tie the fly. The tippet is usually the smallest gauge line on your rig and is virtually invisible to the fish.
How long does saltwater Flyline last?
A typical fly line lasts for 100-250 uses before needing replaced, but by cleaning it regularly, stretching the memory out of it often, and removing wind knots, you can significantly increase the life of a fly line. Cleaning a fly line regularly is the number one way to make it last longer.
Can you fly fish in both salt and freshwater?
Many fly anglers fish in both fresh and salt water. After all, there are 326 million trillion gallons of water on our planet.
Can I use a saltwater fly reel in freshwater?
If you’re wondering if you can use a saltwater rod or reel in freshwater, the answer is yes. Freshwater won’t hurt your saltwater fishing rods and reels. Unfortunately, the opposite is not true. Saltwater can devastate freshwater rods and reels if you don’t quickly clean them thoroughly after use.
How long should my leader be on my fly rod?
In general, when it comes to leader size, leaders for fly fishing rigs should be anywhere from 7.5 feet to 12 feet. The length should be determined by how well you want your line to be hidden from the trout. The clearer the water, the longer the leader.
Should I get an 8 wt or 9wt fly rod?
With all of this said, if you can only get ONE rod for general heavy freshwater and saltwater fly fishing, an 8-weight should be a solid pick. However, if you fish with larger flies, often face windy conditions, have shots at big fish and/or fish around a lot of structure and cover, the 9 can give you an added edge.
How do I know what weight fly rod I need?
Fly rods are sized according to the weight line they will use. A fly rod is matched to a fly line weight. It is important to match the two together. Sometimes you can “line-up” a fly rod with one heavier weight fly line.