For inshore fishing, you really need two set-ups. One for light duty fish like snook, redfish, flounder, pompano, speckled trout, Spanish Mackerel, and smaller fish.
The second set-up is for larger, more aggressive fish like sea bass, striper, tarpon, tripletail, cobia, bluefish, dorado, small to med. sharks, and other bruisers you might come up against.
For the light rig, you want a reel that can handle the abuse that salt-water fishing can dish out. Your favorite bass-fishing Ambassaduer reel is not going to work in the salt.
You need one constructed of stainless steel, graphite, or anodized aluminum, with 3 to 6 stainless steel bearings. The more bearings, the smoother the reel operates.
You will need a gear ratio of at least 5 to 1 up to 6.2 to 1, and beyond. Look for a spool that is longer than the short, stubby freshwater types. This will allow you to cast light baits farther.
The reel needs to be able to hold at least 150 yards, or preferably 250 yards of 12 pound monofilament.
Rod length is your choice, but if you are fishing from shore, or a pier, a long rod is not necessary. A 7-8 foot, Med action graphite rod will do nicely. Just make sure it has Fuji guides and a strong reel seat.
For the heavy set-up, the same reel specifications apply, only now you need a larger reel that can hold 350 yards of 20 Lb. test monofilament. If you use a level-wind reel, make sure you get one with a bait clicker. The rod construction still applies, only now you need a Med-Heavy action. A 7-1/2' to 9' rod is plenty.
If you are going to troll, you need a good selection of jigs and saltwater lures for the species you want. In a nutshell, most of what you want will be imitations of squid, shrimp, mullet, eel, and cigar minnows.
You might want to purchase a 'spider' rig for your boat, to allow you to troll with several evenly spaced rods.
For bait fishing from a boat, pier or shore, you will need wire leaders, saltwater barrel swivels, hooks apropriate for the species you are fishing for, and a good selection of pyramid, egg and bell sinkers.
Most bait fishing in bays will be bottom fishing with a double hook rig, For speckled trout, oftentimes, you can get your limit with a double jig set-up rigged under a popping cork.
You can wade fish in some areas, especially along the Florida coat and the Keys, but you need to be aware of the hazards this type of fishing involves.
First off, be aware of the times of incoming tides. This brings larger predatory fish like sharks and barracuda closer to shore. If you are fishing near breakers, watch out for undertows. They can be deadly.
Have you ever been bay fishing? A bay is described as a notch or stretch of shoreline that is too small to be considered a gulf but too large to be a cove. Bays provide cover and have an abundance of baitfish making it the perfect place for many species of fish to thrive. This makes it an excellent fishing opportunity for any angler looking for a great day on the water.
Bay fishing is very popular and enjoyed by anglers both young and old. It is just as fun and exciting as fishing in lakes and rivers and the more you know about bay areas the more productive you can be. If you are new to this sport here are some tips to help you get started.
Bay fishing tips:
You can use spinning reels and baitcasting reels when bay fishing but they should be able to handle between six to twelve pound test lines.
Monofilament line is a good selection when fishing in bays. It's strong enough to reel in the larger fish and easy to work with.
The best time to go bay fishing is when the tide is changing from low to high or anytime between a couple hours before and after high tide.
Bay fishing is usually the best when the current is strong.
Fish in the grassy areas, around structures and in the shallow water.
Fly fishing is one of the most popular techniques used for fishing in bays.
Fishing in bays is considered some of the best places to catch a variety of species and it's perfect for almost anyone. It offers fun and entertainment for the beginner and loads of challenges for the experienced angler. Many of the fish in bay areas are elusive and put up an amazing fight but with the right techniques you can haul in quite a catch.
Popular Fishing Bays
There are many fishing bays located throughout the United States in which there are some great fishing opportunities. Three of the most popular fishing bays are listed below.
Chesapeake Bay - The Chesapeake Bay is one of the most popular fishing areas in Maryland and Virginia. Here you will find many species of fish such as bluefish, flounder, speckled trout, rockfish, croaker, spot and drum. It is an excellent place to visit and enjoy some fantastic fishing.
Tampa Bay - Fishing in Tampa Bay is amazing. It is Florida's largest open water estuary and full of a wide variety of fish. You will also see many manatee, dolphins and sea turtles in Tampa Bay. Many great fishing stories were created here.
Sheepshead Bay - The Sheepshead Bay is popular for having some of the best and easiest navigable inlets located on the east coast. There are many great hot spots located within five to thirty minutes of the boat docks in the bay making it fast and easy to get started on your fishing adventure.
Bay fishing has much to offer anyone that enjoys reeling in a variety of fish. There are so many options available and different species to go after there is something for everyone.