Tips and Tricks to Saltwater Fishing

Saltwater fishing takes place out on the open sea instead of on the lake or at a river. There are many different types of saltwater fishing, such as Key West deep sea fishing, pier fishing and surf fishing, among others. Here's a look at some of the key tips and tricks that will allow you to master the art of saltwater fishing.

How to Get Started With Saltwater Fishing

Saltwater fishing provides access to some of the best variety of fish available, especially when out doing some Key West deep sea fishing. Some of these include bluefish, flounder, marlin, mackerel and yellow snappers, among others. However, before proceeding with saltwater fishing, there are a few basics that you should keep in mind when getting started.

First, it's important to choose the right gear for saltwater fishing. When fishing from a boat, then you should choose a rod of 7 feet or less. Next, it's time to choose the right reel to go along with your rod. Simply look for one that is highly durable.

You will need specific bait for certain species of fish. The employees at your local tackle shop will point you in the right direction for this. If you find that you're nervous before going out on the open water, there are a number of fishing magazines that provide clear instructions on how to properly fish.

Catch and Release/Keep and Clean Fishing

Catch and Release simply refers to the act of releasing the fish back into the water after catching it, while keep and clean typically means that you will keep and eat the fish. Here are some tips for the catch and release method:

• Use noisier lures to have an easier time catching a fish.
• Throw the fish back into the water within 60 seconds.
• Use a circle hook to avoid killing the fish immediately.
• Hold it gently with both hands when handling it.

A few tips for the keep and clean method are as follows:

• To keep the fish, bring a cooler filled with ice on your fishing expedition and make sure to place the fish on ice immediately.
• Cut a fish across any of its major arteries in order to drain the blood.
• Cut the fish with a very sharp knife.
• Rinse the meat once you have cleaned it.

Other Saltwater Fishing Tips/Suggestions

To become a better fishermen, keep a journal with you and record what types of bait worked and which didn't, as well as the time of day, weather, temperature and other factors that could prove useful in the future. In order to free lures that have become tangled, you should loosen the spool on your reel and position your boat behind the point where the line was snagged. Once this is done, tighten the spool and yank the line as hard as you can, which should remove the lure from where it was caught.