Which Sport Fishing Tackle to Use — Saltwater or Freshwater?
If you haven’t been fishing for a long time (and maybe even if you have) the phrase sport fishing tackle might seem a bit intimidating. What does it include? Are there special types of equipment that many fishermen (and women) have that you don’t? If Roland Martin could peek into your tacklebox, would he laugh or weep into his fishing hat? With most hobbies, jobs and tasks, the right tool for the right job is good advice. There are so many options, you might not even know where to begin.
What is Sport Fishing Tackle Anyway?
Rods, reels, lures, floaters, sinkers, fishing line and anything piece of equipment you use to fish. When I was a kid, I always thought the tackle was all the fishing hooks with 3 and 4 prongs. I thought that 
because, and remember I was little, they looked liked they could really tackle that fish. Hooks are tackle, but only one item under the broad definition. All of the equipment you use in the act of fishing is considered tackle. So yes, even the lucky hat and the vest and the cooler full of adult beverages could technically be called tackle if you consider them absolutely necessary fishing equipment, but we won’t include them for our purposes here.
Saltwater or Freshwater?
You’ll find tons of equipment that’s labeled either saltwater or freshwater. The good news is that if you’re only going to fish in ponds and rivers, you’ve eliminated at least half of the hard decisions right off the bat. If you’re only in the market for sea fishing reels, however, you can ignore the freshwater side of the shop. Don’t agonize over whether sea fishing rods might actually be better even if you’re saltwater fishing, or if freshwater lures might really be what the ocean fish prefer, 2 to 1.
If you do one or the other, it’s simplified for you. Not that you still won’t have a squillion choices–you will. But you’re likely to enjoy the choices a bit more now that you’ve eliminated an entire category of sport fishing tackle.
If you plan to do both, then it really comes down to whether or not you want to invest in two complete sets of tackle or if you want some items to do double duty. Figuring this out involves knowing the difference between freshwater and saltwater tackle.
Fishing Rods and Reels
Saltwater equipment has to be able to stand up to the corrosive effects of salt. The metal used on the rods is thicker and designed to resist corrosion, which makes sea fishing rods a bit heavier than freshwater rods. Also, the variety of fish you might catch in the ocean tends to span a much larger weight range, so the heavier rods also withstand a bit more weight and abuse. If you’re purchasing new fishing equipment, there’s no reason not to choose a rod designed for ocean fishing. But if you already have a freshwater rod that’s strong and easy to clean, so that you can make sure you get all the corrosive saltwater off after each use, then there’s no need to run out and buy a rod that’s similar but packaged as an ocean rod.
If you buy a rod and reel combo, then once you make your choice your work is done. If you want to purchase the reel separately, then take note of the difference between sea fishing reels and freshwater reels. Because of the salt water, a good reel for sea fishing should be sealed. Use a reel that’s not sealed and get some salty water in there . . . and you won’t be using that reel much longer. It should be anodized to resist corrosion on the outside, too. If you must use a freshwater reel, say on an impromptu trip you don’t want to have to buy new equipment for, absolutely do not let it get dunked into the water. And be sure to hose everything off when you’re done to get rid of all traces of salt. For regular ocean fishing, a reel designed for it is best and will likely last you much longer.
Lures
Is a lure a lure by any other name? Saltwater fishing lures tend to be bigger and longer. They’re often more shiny and brightly colored, though you can find dull or eye-popping bright lures among both types. And of course the hooks are steel and treated to avoid corrosion, where freshwater lures are probably just chrome plated, since they don’t have deal with all the damaging salt.
Just like rods and reels, you can use any type of lure. If you use freshwater lures in salt water, clean them thoroughly when you’re done so they don’t corrode.
Live Bait
There is a difference between saltwater and freshwater bait. You can use dead or live bait for either, typically. Live bait has the advantage that the bail will wiggle and squirm, drawing attention. Saltwater bait is typically saltwater fish or sea life of some kind. Shrimp, clam, herring, sardines and pinfish are commonly used, both dead and alive. Some fish prefer certain types of bait–just like we all different favorite foods, I suppose.
Freshwater bait, on the other hand, starts with the good old fishing worm. Buy them in a bait shop or dig them up yourself. Some people even farm worms just to have bait. Red wigglers are one of the more prized bait worms, but if you find a nice bit of ground that’s full of worms, those will work just fine, too. Of course, freshwater fish have their favorites, too. Trout like grasshoppers, where carp seem to eat anything, since a number of recipes are available to make carp bait from bread crumbs and a number of other ingredients. Fish is often used as fish bait, with small shad and other tiny specimens popular for things. Larvae, clams, mussels, crawfish, leeches and scads of other little creepy creatures make great freshwater bait, all depending on the fish you’re after.
Types of Fishing
This comparison of saltwater and freshwater sport fishing tackle is really designed for the pole fisher, but there are so many other types of fishing out there. Even with a rod and reel there are different types of casting, different ways to fish, different techniques and methods to use to go after certain fish in certain areas, whether you’re fishing the sea or the neighbor’s farm pond.
If you plan to fish in the ocean more than occasionally, then it pays to buy a sea fishing rod and reel, and have equipment that you know won’t boil like a slug when some salt sits in it. If you’re chiefly a saltwater fisherperson, then your equipment, provided you’re doing the same type of fishing like fishing from a spot out in the water or fishing from the bank, should transfer pretty well. It might be heavier and bigger than you need, but you’ll be able to use your tackle without worry that you might damage it.
Photos © radcarper
Related Fishing Posts
Filed Under Sport Fishing Tackle Information and Definitions | 1 Comment
Tagged With freshwater fishing, freshwater tackle, saltwater fishing, saltwater tackle, sport fishing tackle
Comments
One Response to “Which Sport Fishing Tackle to Use — Saltwater or Freshwater?”
Leave a Reply
We Recommend
some one told me if nothing else is working use a texas rigged purple worm and if you think your reeling slow reel slower. It’s always worked for me in ponds.