First Time Fishing Salt Water And Need Some Help

[caudburns11]

I am going on vacation with the girlfriends family to South Carolina in July and she said that we would have some time to go fishing so I'm excited because I've never fished saltwater, but because of that I don't know very much and don't have saltwater specific gear. Will I be able to use my low profile baitcasters and rods that I use for everyday freshwater fishing? I have a 6'6" MM and a 6'6" MH (casting) that I use for bass and a 7' MH and a 9' H (spinning) that I use for catfish. I don't want to buy a whole new rod and reel to just use for a few days, if anything I could probably buy a new rod. Should my gear be good? If this helps I will be mostly fishing with lures using my casting rods and maybe some live/dead bait with my spinning rods. I will probably just try and fish right from the beach or if there's something like a bay/channel nearby I want to try that. Any help you could give would be great.

Thanks

[Dylcook91]

Your best bet would be to try and find jetties or pier to fish off, your 7' and 9' rod would be fine...the problem is the reels, I wouldn't want saltwater on them as it will corrode them more so the low profile reels. You could use your spinning reel then wash/clean it afterwards. I would also ditch the line after the trip is over.

Or just find some ponds and go bassin lol

[Catch and Grease]

I went to panama city and tried a little saltwater fishing but instead of risking my bass equipment I just bought a decent affordable combo from a store like walmart for the trip.

[BaitMonkey1984]

I went to Naples last winter and could not resist wetting a line at the pier. I went to Walmart and got a halfway decent ugly stick cast rod for like $50.00. I was afraid it would break on the plane ride home, and I already have a few good salt rods so I gave it to a young kid watching other people fish. Best $50 spent and I didn't catch a fish, just put a smile on someone's face. 

[BridgerM]

I have used my less expensive freshwater spinning setup when I've gone to the coast. I used a medium power rod with braid. It worked just fine and rinsed it when i was done. However, between the weight and bait on the line it overloaded the rod a bit. A MH might do better for me next time. I don't know if you plan to use bait or lures, so just choose the right rod for whatever you plan to throw. You should be fine with the equipment you have, just keep it out of the sand and rinse it well after each use.

[kikstand454]

^ this. I use bass tackle everytime I inshore fish- which is at LEAST twice as much as I bass fish. Lol.

Just take care of it, rinse it off lightly when your done- and for gods sake, don't drop your reel in the water!

[HookdUP]

If you have any ci4 equipment now would be the time to Use its benefits ...

[HookdUP]

But I've used curado's and Stradics for saltwater for years ... No issue .. Id take like you're 7 - 9ft rds in heavy to extra heavy action I suppose ... Or U could just fish for mackerel from the pier and use like a 3000 sz spinner and a 7 ft med heave or Med and a gotcha plug and call it a day

[SirSnookalot]

As an everyday saltwater fisherman I never recommend bass gear, however for a short trip with budget limitations use what you have.

Fishing the beach you can get away with lighter gear, don't have to worry about lifting them to high pier or even a sea wall.  Don't need much in the way of lures, this is not complicated fishing, the fish are either there or not.  Gotchas, spoons, bucktails is all that's really needed.  I would suggest taking a towel if you have to lay your rod down (I should pay attention to my own advice, lol), sand is your number 1 worst enemy.

Fishing cut bait I'd suggest the heavier rod, you'll most likely need sinkers for casting distance, heavy rod won't load with light cut bait.  A rod spike or rod holder to stick in the sand is a very good tool to have fishing bait on the beach.

 

The best advice will be obtained from a saltwater forum in the area you are going.

[Catch 22]

PM sent

[Big C]

If you rinse off your gear after fishing you'll be fine.  The 3" Berkley Gulp shrimp in the new penny color on a red jig head is absolutely deadly.  But all your bass lures will work great, the crazier the color the better. 

[lordhell]

I basically use bass gear for shore based saltwater fishing.  Just rinse off your gear each time right after usage and you're good to go.  The only reels that I won't use are the untreated magnesium reels like Daiwa Steez.  Treated magnesium reels like Shimano Core are perfectly suited to saltwater fishing.

 

Your bass rods and reels will work just fine. Have fun and post some pics!

[blackmax135]

I am going on vacation with the girlfriends family to South Carolina in July and she said that we would have some time to go fishing so I'm excited because I've never fished saltwater, but because of that I don't know very much and don't have saltwater specific gear. Will I be able to use my low profile baitcasters and rods that I use for everyday freshwater fishing? I have a 6'6" MM and a 6'6" MH (casting) that I use for bass and a 7' MH and a 9' H (spinning) that I use for catfish. I don't want to buy a whole new rod and reel to just use for a few days, if anything I could probably buy a new rod. Should my gear be good? If this helps I will be mostly fishing with lures using my casting rods and maybe some live/dead bait with my spinning rods. I will probably just try and fish right from the beach or if there's something like a bay/channel nearby I want to try that. Any help you could give would be great.

Thanks

Hey I use my baitcasters all the time in salt water. Had 2 of them for 6 years now. The key is clean them very well.  Live shrimp is your best bet and get some strong line because you will run into sharks. Were will you be going?

[SirSnookalot]

If you rinse your reel the wrong way you'll do more damage than if you didn't rinse at all, you don't want to force sand into the reel with too hard a spray.  I do not rinse every time, not that it isn't a good idea just not necessary.  The reason to rinse is to remove salt and sand, on a calm day with no wind sand or salt isn't blowing around, only the bail on my spinning reels get wet.  If you rinse anything do it to the rods, I don't have reel problems but guides do rust out.

 

What separates surf fishing from bass fishing is many of the species are not ambush hunters, they cruise looking for bait or follow bait schools.  Either the fish are there or they aren't, when they are any lure works.  The real key to fishing on the beach is being aware or your surroundings, always look around for bait, fins and birds. You can be in a dead spot and 100 yds away there is a lot of activity, pretty common scenario.

[heyitskirby]

Where in SC are you going?  A flats guide for some redfish would always be my recommendation.  You can normally get a half day trip for anywhere between $300 - 400.  As a bass fisherman I know for a fact you would enjoy this.

 

Otherwise, I always use my catfishing gear for saltwater fishing.  Just make sure you rinse it off afterwards like everyone else said.  If you want some lazy fishing, just use the same rigging you would use for bottom fishing (carolina rigs) and maybe throw in the traditional saltwater bottom fishing rigs as well.  Check out a bait shop down there to find out what they are biting on, typically mullet, squid, or shrimp.  The last time I was down there I actually just bought squid from a grocery store and fried up the still frozen, clean leftovers at the end of trip.