How To Choose a Fishing Rod For Saltwater? [Simple Answer]

Living by the sea is marvelous scenery to wake up to every morning. The air by the sea will freshen you up and give you more serenity. The variety of fish species in saltwater is very tempting to push you to go fishing.

It’s not as dull as fishing in freshwater, because the dangers and adventures of saltwater fishing are more likely to impress any human being. Saltwater fishing will require you to buy appropriate gear to optimize your fishing experience. It can be quite expensive, but the experience is worth trying.

So, you have to make sure you got the perfect gear for saltwater fishing, and this article will help you in doing so.

Saltwater Vs. Freshwater Fishing:

Points of Comparison	Level of fishers	Accessibility	Cost	Fish species	Lure	Weight of the fishing rod	Fishing line
Saltwater	Requires some skills and more advanced-level fishers are preferred	People are less likely to live by the sea	More expensive	A wider variety of fish with larger sizes	Saltwater fish are pickier and go for live bait	Medium to heavy	Stronger
Freshwater	More suitable for beginners	More people live by lakes, rivers, and freshwater in general	Cheaper	Less variety of fish with smaller sizes	Not as picky and may be attracted to artificial bait	Light	Weaker

Five Things To Look for in a Saltwater Fishing Rod

Choosing a rod is the hardest part of fishing because it can either optimize or destroy your fishing experience.

1. Material of the Fishing Rod:

Fiberglass: It is the most commonly used rod in saltwater fishing, due to its flexibility and durability to shocks, as well as the chemicals in saltwater. The price is reasonable. Since nothing is perfect, the rod is quite heavy, which exhausts its owner.
Graphite: These were manufactured later on to overcome the weight problem of Fiberglass rods. Graphite rods are light-weighted and more comfortable to control. Still, because everything comes with a price, their durability and resistance to chemicals aren’t very satisfying, which doesn’t qualify them to be used as long-term rods.
Carbon-fiber or graphite-fiber: As human beings tend to approach development whenever possible, they tried to combine both rods. Combining the lightness and ease of control of graphite rods with the durability, flexibility, and enhanced chemical-resistance of fiberglass ones. But as the quality got better, the price got higher.

2. The Action of the Fishing Rod:

Fast-extra fast: A fast or extra fast rod bends at the first several inches near the tip. It is perfect for distance casting and develops high accuracy. It’s used when you are aiming for a big fish like small dolphins, so you will need to use a bigger lure to catch the dolphin’s attention. What’s also really good about fast action rods is that they can be used on windy days.
Medium-slow: This type of rods bends in the middle of the rod. It’s good for casting long distances. It is more suitable for smaller fish that require smaller baits. It is recommended for beginners to use medium action rods because they are easy to cast and control.
Slow: It’s known as parabolic rods as they completely bend, forming a semi-circle. It’s preferable to use it in short-ranged areas to manage its casting. It’s also advised for beginners.

3. Power of the Fishing Rod

The power of the rod is the weight of the fish that can be controlled by the rod. In other words, the rod’s power refers to the rod’s resistance when being flexed. The rod’s power changes according to the type of fish and the rod you are using.

Light power (10-12) pounds line
Medium power (20-30) pounds line
Medium-heavy power (30-50/80)
Heavy power (80-130)

Generally, a medium power fishing rod is the perfect choice for fishing in both freshwater and saltwater.

4. Length of the Fishing Rod

Choosing the optimum length of the rod depends mainly on the purpose of fishing. The lengths of rods vary from 3 feet to 20 feet. Each length stands for different purposes. Also, you have to make sure to align the power, action, and length of the rod together to create the perfect combination for fishing.

For example, if you are seeking long-distance fishing in saltwater, then you should consider 7 feet long, medium power, and a fast or extra fast action rod for better casting.

If you are seeking shorter distances like jigging and trolling, you can go for 6.5 feet, medium-heavy power, and extra fast rod. And so on and forth. The properties will always change based on your purpose as a fisherman.

5. Castability of the Fishing Rod

The casting changes from one fisher to another, depending on the type of fish they are seeking. As the bend increases, the casting distance increases, and the accuracy of the casting decreases.

For example, fast action rods bend only at the tip, so they are known for their stiffness. These rods are famous for their accurate casting but too short distances. Rods with fast action can be used to fish for large fish like a Dolphin, but we have to match the lure as well to be as heavy to grab the fish’s attention.

On the other hand, medium action rods bend from the tips of the rod till the center, and that makes them less stiff, which accounts for further casting but much less accuracy. You can balance this by changing the lure and settling for more massive bait to increase the stiffness of the rod.

You might be interested to read also: Best Telescoping Fishing Rod

Beginners and Saltwater Fishing

There is no doubt that saltwater fishing is much more intense than freshwater fishing. It requires skill and training from qualified fishers to make sure that you get the basics for this sport. People can go saltwater fishing for various reasons; some go to practice a calming, exciting game, and others take it as a rewarding job.

To practice saltwater fishing, you have to consider joining a fishing club and reading books about it to be aware of all saltwater fishing types, the gear that you will need, and also the consequences and hardships that you may face doing this sport.

As weather plays a vital role in controlling the fish species and the fishing in general, you need to check the best seasons for saltwater fishing.

Taking all the facts previously mentioned into consideration, you need to understand how challenging this sport can be to beginners. Still, if you have the willingness to commit to learning and developing, then you are good to go.

1. Fish Types and Lure

The fish in saltwater are quite picky when it comes to the type of lure you are throwing to them. Firstly, you need to determine the kind of fish you are seeking.

Secondly, you have to read about it. Thirdly, consider choosing the lure based on the type of food this fish usually eats, to grab its attention.

Fish get attracted to the scent of the bait, and if the bait used matches their regular diet, things would be a lot easier for you as a fisher.

It’s very recommended to choose live bait while fishing in saltwater, but there are artificial baits that were proven to be successful.

2. Examples of Live Bait:

Baitfish.
Crabs and clams.
Mussels.
Shrimp.

3. Examples of Artificial Bait:

Lead-headed jigs to imitate live saltwater bait.
Metal jigs to bounce across the bottom of the ocean floor.

Final Thoughts

The fishing business is very tricky and requires a lot of attention to detail. You need to consider every aspect to be a good fisherman. To sum up, if you are a fisherman living near the ocean or the sea, you can go fishing there, and it will be a satisfying experience. You just need to buy the best fishing rod for your needs. How can you do that?

Simply, make a relation between the power, action, and length of the rod, just like a mathematical equation to get the best result. Also, because the salt water can affect your gear, always make sure to keep it clean after each fishing trip to avoid rust from humidity and chemical substances in the water.