From ensuring survival to angling for sport, saltwater fishing has always been an integral activity for humans. It’s what’s provided us with much-needed sustenance throughout history, along with plenty of fun along the way. And while the methods and reasons to hit to waters have somewhat changed in modern times, the seas still call to many even today.
In this article, we’ll outline all the basic information you need to know about saltwater fishing. We’ll focus on the sporting aspect of it, looking at some of the top species to add to your bucket list, the top destinations to visit, and the most effective ways to reel in that prized catch. When you’re ready, let’s dive in!
Top Saltwater Fish Species
The seas are vast and the fish swimming in them are many. So the species you’ll read about here are far from all you’ll get to hook into. However, the fish on our list definitely fall among the most popular target species, especially in the US.
Inshore
Coastal waters can be treasure trove of fish. And it’s not just small stuff you’ll get to catch – there are some seriously exciting species to reel in only a stone’s throw from shore!
The five fish we named so far are mostly present in the Americas. But you’ll find many other exciting species in other parts of the world. Australia’s Barramundi is a great example, as well as Giant Trevally that you’ll find in places such as the Seychelles, Oman, and the Maldives. There’s also Roosterfish, which is a staple saltwater game fish in Costa Rica and the Pacific shores of Mexico.
Nearshore
Nearshore fishing is a loose term, but it generally refers to casting your line in waters up to around 10 miles offshore. Within this range, you’ll find an incredible variety of species, especially if you’re looking for fish to reel in to eat.
Granted, the nearshore grounds are home to many other species besides the few we named here. In particular, you’ll find different kinds of Sharks lurking everywhere from coastal waters to the various reefs and wrecks. If you’ve never had a chance to wrestle a Shark, we highly recommend giving it a try!
Offshore
Fishing offshore takes the most time, skill, and effort, but it also holds the biggest prizes. The deep waters are a playground for all kinds of amazing fish, and provide a setting for anglers to create their own legends. Have a look at these popular offshore target species:
Best Saltwater Fishing Destinations
There are thousands of destinations across the world that offer amazing saltwater fishing. However, some still excel compared to others. We’ve written numerous articles on saltwater fishing destinations around the globe, so check out some of the top ones.
How to Go Saltwater Fishing
Depending on the fish you want to catch, there are a number of ways to go saltwater fishing. The simplest – and most frugal – approach to it is to simply fish from shore. All the amazing species we listed in the inshore section of the article can be caught from land, along with many others. Some people even fish for Sharks from land!
With this in mind, fishing on a boat will give you far more variety. Besides allowing you to go to the more distant offshore spots, a boat is useful even in coastal fisheries since it’ll give you the opportunity to move places and lock in on the bite faster.
Of course, it’s important to know where to go, so if you’re new to a fishery your best bet is to hop on a fishing charter. With an experienced captain leading the way, you’ll have your finger on the fish pulse wherever you go.
Saltwater Fishing Techniques
There are many ways to catch a fish, but some methods have proven to be effective in saltwater. If you’re an experienced angler, you’ll be no stranger to any of the techniques we’ll name. However, for beginners, these are some of the tricks you might employ when you’re on the water.
- Sight fishing. Sight fishing is a method that’s as old as time. See fish, make a cast, reel, reel, reel, and boom – you’re going home with dinner in tow. It’s especially popular among inshore anglers as, when the waters are clear, you can spot the fish outside of spook distance. At that point you just need to nail that cast, and you’re on.
- Bottom fishing. Many delicious fish, such as Grouper and Snapper, like to lurk near the ocean floor. And when you want to catch them, bottom fishing is the way to go. The technique itself is simple – position yourself above spots you think might hold fish and lower your baited hook all the way to the bottom. It’s a technique that’s suitable for anglers of all skill levels, and a great way to introduce your children to fishing.
- Jigging. A fun, versatile, and effective way to fish all at once, jigging involves moving your rod up and down in a rapid motion, making your lures jiggle vertically in the water column. The movement mimics wounded bait fish, drawing in the target species to strike. It’s a technique that’ll work for a variety of species, including Tuna, Snapper, Grouper, Mackerel, and more.
- Trolling. A staple saltwater fishing technique, trolling is an incredibly productive way to entice the bite. You simply rig a few rods, start driving the boat, and drag baited hooks behind you. This simulates swimming bait schools, luring in fish such as Marlin, Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, and many others.
- Fly fishing. A method dating back to the Roman Empire, fly fishing remains an obsession for many modern anglers. It’s a difficult technique to master, as it involves using specialized rods to cast light artificial flies, designed to resemble various insects. In saltwater, you can fly fish for a number of exciting species including Tarpon, Bonefish, Permit, GT, Milkfish, and, if you have the skills, even big game such as Sailfish!
Saltwater Fishing Seasons
We’ll state the obvious – the best season to go saltwater fishing depends on where you go and what you want to catch. However, there are a few very loose patterns that you can adhere to as you plan your trip.
The first is if you plan on reef or bottom fishing. The fish that lurk along those kinds of angling grounds are typically there throughout the year. So if you’re looking to reel in something tasty for dinner, there’s almost always a chance to do so. The one thing to pay attention when you’re planning a bottom fishing trip is how the fish are regulated in the destination you want to visit.
A second broad pattern refers to pelagic fish. Species such as Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, Tuna, and Billfish may or may not bite during the same season based on where you go. However, the summer season generally offers the most variety across the different parts of the world. Still, if you’re set on a particular species, it’s best to look up what the prime season for it is.
Lastly, inshore fishing is a year-round endeavor in most parts of the world. Unless you plan on fishing somewhere extreme, such as Alaska, very few places out there have a real “off-season” when barely anything bites. So if you find yourself travelling outside of peak fishing seasons, hitting the coastal waters should be a solid bet nonetheless.
How did you enjoy our piece on saltwater fishing? Was the information in the article useful for you? Let us know in the comments below!
