Saltwater Fly Fishing

One of the most common queries I get is around my approach to saltwater fly fishing. So here is a quick introduction.

I use 2 set-ups for most of my saltwater fly fishing. A 9ft 5wt with full floating line. This is my go-to kit when fishing over very shallow clean ground in clear water. One reason for this is the lighter outfit is less likely to spook fish. Another is that the flies I typically use here are small, similar to the size of most trout flies. Another plus is that this outfit doubles up as a mullet rod so I can target both species at the same time.

The other outfit I use is a 9ft 9wt. My personal favourite is the Mackenzie FX1 Salt rod. I have a few different lines that I use on this rod. Mostly I use a Rio Outbound Short coldwater line in intermediate and I also carry the full float in the same line (for surface flies). Another line I use is an OPST shooting head with various density tips. I find this line great for really big flies.

The majority of the time I am using the 9wt is for casting larger flies and or fishing over rougher ground. I also use it in estuaries in channels with a strong current.

Bass – Dreams Come True

When Darren told me he wanted to catch a bass I thought great, but when he said that he had been trying without success all year I began to feel the pressure.   I decided on an early Sunday morning session and we set off to our chosen mark.  Within 15 minutes it was “Fish on” but the brute managed to break the line off a snag.  Fish gone, lure gone . .. . .not a good start!!  About an hour later I suggested we move to another spot and rigged up a soft plastic worm.  The tactical change gave Darren renewed optimism and a few casts later it was “fish on . . .. again”.  This time things went according to plan and the superb bass was landed safely.

Darren with his first sea bass.

Darren with his first sea bass.