Saltwater Fly Fishing Line

For best saltwater fly fishing, a well-balanced combo rod is required to be effective.  The whole setup needs to work together, which means you will need to choose the correct rod, reel, fly fishing line, and leader to get most from your equipment. 

The fly fishing line and leader are two key components that are the most interchangeable parts of your outfit and will need to be matched well to work together.  If you are unsure, you can pick the correct line, rod and reel setup by purchasing a combo set from one the your local fishing or tackle shop.

Things to look out for when choosing fly line (whether saltwater or fresh water) are: the line weight, the line taper, the line color and the line density (buoyancy).  In addition to line and leader there is backing that needs to be considered. There are different fly fishing line weights: one being the lightest and fifteen being the heaviest. The lighter line weights are made for smaller rods, reels and flies.  The larger line weights are used on larger rods with appropriate reels and flies.

In saltwater fly fishing the heavier fly fishing lines are typically used.  The ocean tends to be windier requiring larger flies.  Also the fish species targeted tend to be larger and heavier, making it necessary to use heavier line weights.  In no other form of fishing is it as important to match a rod to the line and leader.  Your intended target fish should also determine the proper line weight to use.

Line taper is something else you must consider when buying saltwater fly fishing line.  Fly line taper is the different diameters of line throughout the line length.  The different types of taper are shooting head, double taper, weight-forward and Spey.

1. When the thick part of the line is in the middle it’s a (double taper) and the thinner sections tend to be on the ends.  Double taper is an excellent line for beginners learning to cast.
2. When the thicker part of the line is in the front, this is (Weight forward).  Weight forward fly line is the most used fly line in both fresh and saltwater.  It is versatile and the lengths of taper can be varied.  Casting the bigger, heavier flies such as the ones used in saltwater requires a shorter taper to get the fly to turn over at the end of the cast.  A longer taper on a weight forward line will cast the lighter flies, for a softer landing or presentation of the fly.
3. Line density is another important consideration it (affects line buoyancy).  You have multiple choices when deciding on the line density.  There are floating lines, sinking lines, intermediate lines and floating/sinking lines.  If you are just beginning, then the floating lines is the easiest to use to learn.  Casting the fly line is easier if you can see it on the surface of the water.
4. Beginners should choose a bright color line such as yellow or orange, to recognize and correct any mistakes easily, while they are casting.
5. Backing adds length to you fly line, it is tied to reel spool and the fly line and gives more combined line, to fight a big fish that decides to take line and run.  Backing allows enough line to fight and land a fish that has long run capabilities.

I hope these few tips help you decide on the line to use for your next salt water fly fishing trip.  Happy Fishing!!!