Saltwater and freshwater are two different entities. In the former, there is a high salt concentration. And the salt concentration is low in the latter. The fishes that dwell in the two are totally different as well. So, when the water body and the being living in that set-up are so different, the equipment used to fish in those sources must be different as well.
The good news is you do not need an entirely new set of gear for saltwater fishing. The tools are pretty much the same, and setting up the fishing line too. However, you need to use the gear knowing whether the equipment, fishing line, or lure will work in the saltwater or not.
You cannot randomly start angling in saltwater. You need to have the proper knowledge. Hence, to make things more transparent for you, we will discuss how to set up a fishing line for saltwater with your standard fishing equipment, nothing uncommon, unattainable, but let us assure you these will work in angling the biggest of brutes in the deep sea.
How to Set Up A Fishing Line for Saltwater?
Equipment You Will Need
- Fishing Rod
- Spinning Reel
- Fishing Line
- Hook
- Sinker
- Bait
These are all basic fishing equipment. We use it while fishing in any and every water body. However, our purpose is to be very precise. Sometimes what works in freshwater is not going to work in saltwater, for obvious reasons. Here is the catch, the tools are the same, not necessarily their style or type. If you use a fishing rod in the saltwater, how long, how heavy, and what action. If it’s the spinning reel, then what pound test line and in case of the fishing line of which material, so forth. So, let’s learn, setting up the fishing line for saltwater fishing with specific equipment.
Step #1 – Choose Your Fishing Rod
Choosing a fishing rod for saltwater fishing is not easy because it depends on multiple elements. However, for a beginner, a 7-8 feet rod, medium to light in weight, made of either graphite or fiberglass, or both in the form of the new-generation composite fishing rod, is the best. Ensure you have bought the medium power rod so that the bending while casting is not too out of control nor too stiff, thus underwhelming.
Step #2 – Install the Spinning Reel on The Rod
The fishing rod will have a reel seat to mount the spinning reel on it. If you are well-experienced, then you can try the baitcasting reel. But for a completely new angler, the spinning reel is the best to control and aim. A spinning reel with 25lbs test line will be best for saltwater fishing. When you have the spinning reel ready, just mount it tightly on the rod.
Step #3 – Spool the Reel with Fishing Line
Saltwater fishing either manages the monofilament fishing line or the braided line the best. However, if we need to choose one for saltwater resistance, we will prefer monofilament. Reason- it handles the resistance well, is flexible, robust, easy to knot, and stretchy. Get a 10lbs monofilament fishing line and start coiling it up on the reel after knotting it up with a few overhand knots.
Step #4 – Take the Line Through the Guides
Here is where the central part of setting up the fishing line starts. When you are done coiling up the reel with the monofilament line, hold the tag end and get the line through all the guides or rings on the fishing rod. There will be plenty of them, so do not miss any. Upon reaching the tip, the ring on the rod tip, make sure you have left 10-12 inches of fishing line dangling from there to tie the hook, weight, and other components.
Step #5 – Tie the Hook to the Line
Hold the tag end of the fishing line, the line that is dangling. Now you have to tie the hook. The hook size solely depends on the fish size. As it is saltwater, we are pretty confident of our target being big brutes. So 8-10 size hooks will be perfect for catching those giants and challengers. Tie the fishing hook with a solid knot, say a Palomar knot. If you are using a lure instead of a fishing hook, even then, a Palomar knot is the best to tie it. Or you can try the Rapala knot too.
Step #6 – Add the Weight or Sinker
For your bait to sink and stay deep in the water, you will need to add weights, which are well-known as sinkers. These keep the hook and bait immersed in the water, and the weight also makes sure the line or the fishing hook is not moving due to wind or constant waves. Take your favorite sinker and pliers. Ours is the split shot. The trick is to use the pliers to pinch and open the wings of the split shot. The wings are right at the back. Press to spread open the wings and set the split shot around the line, approximately 8-12 inches above the hook on the fishing line. Use the pliers, press, and crimp, and the sinker will be well-locked on the line.
Step #7 – Choose the Saltwater Bait
Depending on your prey, choose your bait. You can use an artificial lure, live bait, well-prepared corn, or mere dough balls. Entirely trust your saltwater fishing knowledge. Be very specific about the baits pertaining to the fish species. Like some saltwater fishes’ love minnow, worms, even nightcrawlers as bait. So, bait the fish with the bait it loves.
Step #8 – Attach the Bait to The Hook
If you have used an artificial colorful, flashy, vibrating lure, you just need to hook it up on the dangling fishing line. And when it comes to the live baits, you will have to hook them up on the fishing hook. Hooking the bait depends entirely on your skill, but make sure you have appropriately camouflaged the fishing hook with the baitfish. Saltwater brutes are too vigilant not to notice that sharp nail; hence will not even roam far from it, let alone near it. The trick is to hook a live bait where it has enough meat so that the hook is hidden well in the chunk. Do not pin any organ or veins that will start the blood flow. Blood, even a drop, might alert the smart sea brutes.
So, keep the little tricks in mind and apply them wholeheartedly while setting up your fishing line. Your every attempt at saltwater fishing will be successful and beyond.
