What is inshore saltwater fishing and how is it different from freshwater fishing? Inshore saltwater fishing involves fishing for a wide variety of species such as the catfish, eel, mackerel, barracuda, cod, redfish, snook, pompano, tuna and spotted sea trout to name a few. This type of fishing is done from the edge of beaches, fishing peers and places that are easily accessed by small boats and canoes. The best places to search for saltwater fish when on a boat is bays and inlets, along banks and ledges and anywhere you find natural or man-made cover.



When you go saltwater fishing you will need to have the right equipment to get the most from your trips. Saltwater can be a lot rougher than freshwater so you need sturdy rods, reels and lines to hold up to this type of environment. Many times the tide can be very strong and it can easily break your line and in some conditions even snap a rod. These are a few of the reasons you need heavy duty equipment that will hold up to this type of environment.

Another thing that makes saltwater fishing different from freshwater is the fact that the saltwater and air can do a lot of damage to your equipment. It can eat away at your gear and cause serious damage. Therefore, you need to make sure you have the right gear that is suited for this type of environment so it will hold up better and longer.

There are different types of inshore saltwater fishing and you will need to determine which type you plan on doing before you head out. The reason for this is so you can be prepared and take along everything you need to ensure you have best fishing adventures possible. You will need to match your equipment for the areas where you plan on fishing. This is necessary because inshore saltwater fishing off of a pier or along the beach will require different gear than fishing from a boat.

Your equipment does need to be stronger and heavier than what you would use in freshwater but the type of equipment and tackle needed will also depend on the type of fishing you intend to do. For example, if you are after the smaller species, then use a light to medium fishing rod with ten pound quality line on a spinning reel. Normally, when fishing for larger fish you will want the rod to be around eight to nine feet long.

Quality is important for both your rod and reel to prevent the salt air and the current of the waters from causing damage. When choosing your reels the stainless steel, titanium or fiber ones hold up the best in saltwater. Spinning reels is also recommended for inshore saltwater fishing along with ten pound test monofilament lines. These not only hold up better in this type of environment but they are also great for reeling in some pretty good size fish.

For medium to heavy saltwater fishing you will need heavier equipment to handle the larger species such as bluefish, redfish and the Spanish mackerel. These fish can be found in estuaries and bay areas when inshore saltwater fishing. Using a heavier weight in your lines should also be considered. When it comes to the type of reel that would be best for saltwater fishing the Spinfisher SSm, Abu Garcia Cardinal C3, Daiwa BG-15 Spinning Reels, Penn Slammer 460 Spinning Reels and the Quantum Inshore XT Spinning Reels are among the most highly recommended today.