(A Complete Guide). Although the materials used for the rods are the same the reel and other components of the rod are constructed differently. The short answer is NO, you should NOT use your freshwater reel in saltwater! Fishing rods handle length also varies and it depends on where it is used. Go with a very heavy spinning reel or medium-heavy baitcasting reel for maximum torque. How To Buy The Right Inflatable Paddle Board For You, How to Recharge a Dometic RV Air Conditioner: Easy Steps to Follow. The steady sound of the stream and quiet surroundings is a good place to relax. However, some have thought of interchanging the two kinds of reels to save money! Stick between 3 and 6 ball bearings for a good, inexpensive option. The reason behind this is so that it can accommodate a larger amount of line and withstand the heavier baits and bigger target fish. When using it in salt water, then they would corrode even quicker unless you applied some form of sealant. Expect to buy new gear sooner than you think if you use your gear interchangeably between saltwater and freshwater fishing. However, there is a significant difference in the fittings that are present with the rod and the length of the rod. These two categories of fishing are not as different as people make them out to be. This is meant for saltwater fish species, which would go on longer runs compared to freshwater fish like bass. I recommend using a wire or at least braided leader for trolling. (A Complete Guide). Most advanced anglers would pick graphite rods over any other because it has better fighting power and is stiff enough to detect even the slightest of bite. The continuous motion of casting and retrieving allows you to keep your lure moving in the water therefore, mimicking the movements of live bait. Either spinning or baitcasting options for effective deep jigging. This article will dive into these differences in detail and explain the reasoning behind the design. Discover the best time of day to catch bass, trout, catfish, panfish, walleye, carp, and many more depending on the season, moon phases, and weather. This is not a standard practice which means that sealing off the components is not really necessary especially if you will only be using it for freshwater fishing. However, with freshwater reels, I strongly discourage you to use it in salt water, as it may get damaged quickly. Do not expose it to saltwater and wash your reels down immediately after use, especially when using it in saltwater regularly. I hope that this article answered your question, can you use freshwater reels in saltwater? Now that you know the answer, invest in the correct equipment according to what you need! You can use your saltwater fishing gear in freshwater but your freshwater gear should not be exposed to saltwater. This can negatively affect your chances of success when you fish for specific species that require heavier lines and lures to catch. The rush you get after you bag your catch is amplified by the amount of effort you gave. They are the leading database of certified and professional fishing guides at the guaranteed lowest prices. Braid will not stretch like mono will. You will need something with a lot of power to accomplish this. It is for this same reason why you can use your saltwater gear in freshwater but not the other way around. Popular gamefish targeted by freshwater fishermen include largemouth bass, walleye, bluegills, catfish, and northern pike. Likewise, any number over 6 will provide marginal improvements but will run you a lot bigger purchase prices. The same goes for those who purchased top-of-the-line freshwater reels. For the fishing line, I think braid is the way to go. Copyright 2022 Best-Spinningreels. The breaks, drag system, bearings, and gearbox are sealed off so that salt water cant get to them therefore, increasing the longevity of the components. Many fishermen would say that they use this time to reflect and it is not hard to see why. It is possible and you can use whatever rod and reel you like in any type of water, but I highly suggest against it. Freshwater reels dont have this kind of protection since freshwater isnt as corrosive compared to saltwater. Go with a very heavy spinning reel or medium-heavy baitcasting reel for maximum torque. What about using a saltwater reel in freshwater? They only vary depending on the type of fish the angler is targeting to catch. A few key tips to remember is that largemouth bass are attracted to plastic worm lures and trouts to flies. Some anglers would use their freshwater reel in saltwater to save on time changing reels, or money having to buy a saltwater one. I spent hours researching and compiling this information into one easy-to-digest guide. BUT, because of its heavier-duty construction, it may not be the best for freshwater as youll have to handle heavier lines and lures. I recommend a 6-8-foot medium-action rod with a strong backbone. There are a lot of things to look into when choosing your fishing equipment. This fisherman prepares to launch an 8-inch plastic swimbait for muskies along a weed edge. A medium or medium-heavy action rod in the 7 to 7.5 range is great. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I would recommend a rod under 6 feet in length with a large, high-quality casting reel to be able to handle grouper, mahi-mahi, tuna, and billfish. This is because it wont be as exposed to saltwater and used for a short while. If you know that the specific fish you are aiming for to reel in have sharp teeth, then consider putting a leader line on. For fishing lines, I would recommend anything greater than 50-pound test mono, fluorocarbon, or braid. This makes them more prone to corrode when used in saltwater fishing. A delivery method like large floats or kites is also utilized to keep the live bait near the surface and inside a chum slick. Top Factors to Consider When Choosing a Fishing Bait. You can find both spinning and baitcasting options for both realms. For most freshwater fishing, a medium-heavy casting or spinning rod with 10 to 25-pound braid or mono would work well. Since then, I've lived across the country and have really taken that passion for fishing to a new level. Typically, a freshwater fisherman would either be on a boat, on a dock or wading in the water when fishing. This will allow you to force the bait through the water from the deep and also provide greater fighting power to yank big fish out of the depths and away from dangerous cover fast that could break you off. For bass, jig soft plastic worms, salamanders, and flukes, as well as bass jigs, tipped with a pork. Many species are attracted to jigging lures because of the jerky vertical motion it makes and fishermen love it for its versatility. Yes, you can but this would really not rinse off all of the saltwater that seeped into your gear. As with freshwater fishing, live and artificial bait can be used when fishing in saltwater. The reason is, jigs can be used both in saltwater fishing and freshwater fishing. In freshwater settings, anglers often employ spinning and baitcasting reels to catch fish in lakes, rivers, and swamps. Freshwater gear doesnt need to account for salt corrosion. As much as possible, invest in separate reels made for its specific type of water, fish size, and technique. It will help to rinse your reel with freshwater after fishing, but it definitely is not a long-term solution. You will need something with a lot of power to accomplish this. It will save you a lot in the long run. Anglers invest in rods, reels, line, and other equipment. For larger fish like lake trout, striped bass, catfish, muskies, northern pike, and drum, go with baitcasting rods as they will provide great fish-fighting power and you can spool them with stronger fishing line relative to their size than a spinning reel. If you remember, it is mentioned before that jigs are a favorite of anglers because of its versatility. The Legalities to Take Note Of, Can One Person Use A Two Person Kayak? Both freshwater and saltwater rods are used for jigging, trolling, and casting. It uses artificial lures, either stringers or solo, to entice the fish. Youre going to need to haul large fish fast off reefs and wrecks before they can break you off. For freshwater trolling, any of the above-mentioned rod and reel combinations would do well. As such, freshwater gear is exposed to the environment. Sometimes these lures are attached with ballyhoo to increase the chance of a bite. But even then, they are still more susceptible to damage and will wear out quicker than expected, which will have you in need of a replacement. Add sealant, oil, and grease as needed, which can help in its performance and lifespan. Furthermore, it will better alert you to more subtle bites. Freshwater rods and reels are not designed to withstand saltwaters corrosiveness because they lack that seal that almost all saltwater fishing gear have. Besides this, a freshwater reel usually wont have the size to handle bigger fish species you usually found in saltwater and oceans. This is especially for anglers who have paid a ton of money on their freshwater spinning reel. These non-corrosive metals offer a better chance of withstanding the harsh environment of saltwater fishing. Freshwater gear, on the other hand, does have sealed off components available too. This type of fishing can be more laid back than saltwater fishing. Many anglers want to know how Fort Myers compares to other major fishing destinations. Saltwater reels are designed with special castings to resist saltwater corrosion. I was cruising the aisles of my local bait shop last week and I got to thinking about the differences between freshwater and saltwater fishing gear. FreshwaterFishingAdvice is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Inshore or surf fishing situations will require a lighter spinning or baitcasting reel to catch a game. Generally, saltwater reels are made to catch bigger fish, that is the reason why they have bigger line capacity than freshwater ones. The most used bait options for drift fishing in freshwater are worms, link to Does St. Augustine Have Good Fishing? Home Fishing How To Fish Can You Use Freshwater Reels In Saltwater: Why or Why Not? 2022 Copyright Freshwater Fishing Advice. Drift fishing is another very popular freshwater technique often using live or dead bait. Click here to visit Fishing Booker and book your trip of a lifetime at very affordable prices. Saltwater is a corrosive liquid that will basically destroy any metallic substance it comes in contact with. If you are working deep crankbaits or swimbaits, you should instead opt for a slow action rod with enough force to rip along these larger, deeper baits with more force. I wrote on this topic. Freshwater spinning reels absolutely have their place too, when you are mostly fishing in non-brackish waters, but when you still decide to try some salty water body, remember to always rinse the reel afterwards. Anglers invest in rods, reels, line, and other equipment. It is not only due to the corrosive environment of saltwater fishing but also because a saltwater rod is not designed to withstand the sheer fighting power of saltwater fish. Also, less corrosive materials such as copper and stainless steel are used to fabricate saltwater fishing gear. Salt is very brutal to the metal, that is the reason why saltwater fishing reels are made from stainless steel and other non-corroding components. Best Bass Lures For Summer : Tips and Recommendations, Best Inshore Spinnings Reels Around $200 - The Buying Guide, Most Expensive Fishing Reel -Shimano Stella FI, Voted as Best Spinning Reel for Bass - Shimano Stradic CI4+, Top Ultralight Spin Reel - Abu Garcia Revo Premier, Okuma Avenger Baitfeeder - Good Spinning Reel Under $100, Penn Spinfisher V - Unbeatable among Saltwater Spinning Reels. Before we proceed to the differences between the two types of fishing gear let us first define what saltwater and freshwater fishing are. It may seem tempting to interchange saltwater and freshwater reels and use it in any body of water. I grew up fishing for anything that swims but really loved fishing for trout, chain pickerel, bass, and bullheads in my teenage years. Saltwater is corrosive and therefore, gear for this type of fishing requires to have a special casing. It is for this same reason why you can use your saltwater gear in freshwater but not the other way around. Despite of that, they are not really good choice for long term use, because sooner or later, when interest in saltwater fishing may rise, you still need corrosion resistant reel. (A Complete Guide), link to Does Fort Myers Have Good Fishing? Its better to get a saltwater reel than to risk damage to your expensive freshwater one! Can You Use Freshwater Reels In Saltwater? Saltwater is corrosive and therefore, gear for this type of fishing requires to have a special casing. Lastly, saltwater reels are more expensive since they are made of better-quality materials. They have countless listings for such dream destinations as the Florida Keys, Corpus Christi, Great Lakes, San Diego, Central America, Montana, and many more. As a result, freshwater reels wouldnt be able to withstand saltwater fishing situations. Read on to see the differences between freshwater and saltwater reels to see if you can interchange them. It pumps you up and enhances that triumphant feeling coursing inside your system to the next level; that is what keeps anglers coming back for more. While they are strong reels, they would only last in freshwater because of its construction. Washing can help but if you continue to use your freshwater fishing rod in saltwater then expect it to breakdown sooner than expected. I spent hours researching and compiling this information into one easy-to-digest guide. Saltwater reels have stronger drag strength while freshwater ones do not, and the latter wont be able to handle the force of saltwater fish. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. If the fish you are targeting, like pike and walleye, have teeth, always go with wire. It is said that saltwater fishing is one of the best ways to get the best fishing experience you can have as an angler. Weve come to the most awaited difference between the two, the price. But if you plan on going wade fishing, kayak fishing, or surf fishing, chances are that saltwater will get to them, damaging it quickly. Pretty! No stretch is the way to go to reduce stress on the line, help with fish-fighting power, and hauling baits through the water at constant speeds. This technique is used so that an angler can cover a large area in a short amount of time. They have countless listings for such dream destinations as the Florida Keys, Corpus Christi, Great Lakes, San Diego, Central America, Montana, and many more. All Rights Reserved. It can be done while on a boat in open water, on a pier, or from shore (surf fishing). With this in mind, it is still possible to use the reel in saltwater if its just a temporary thing. Saltwater is a harsh liquid and it has the ability to corrode solid metal structures. In order to maximize your spinning reel lifespan and to avoid picking the wrong product you should learn whatdistinct`s them and what is the purpose of each one. Many anglers want to know how St. Augustine compares to other major fishing destinations. The main difference between saltwater and freshwater gear is the ability of saltwater gear to withstand the corrosive environment it is subjected to. It is very possible for your reel to break during an intense battle like this. The most used bait options for drift fishing in freshwater are worms, minnows, shiners, suckers, and frogs. In addition, freshwater lines are designed to only withstand the weight and fight a freshwater fish can give. Is Beef Liver For Catfish Bait A Great Idea or Not? I know this is a bit random, but if you ever wanted to go on a guided or chartered fishing trip in freshwater or saltwater, you should check out Fishing Booker. They range and vary depending on the type of water youll fish on. Surf fishing rods usually need longer handles to cast further from the shore. Freshwater gear, on the other hand, is made from your standard gear metal. For the most part, they are longer as well for longer casting. Now there may arise question, why does freshwater reel even exists when saltwater models will outperform it everywhere? Whats the difference between freshwater and saltwater fishing gear? Tips on Buying Polarized Fishing Sunglasses. Freshwater rods and reels should only be used in freshwater if you want it to work properly for a long time. Saltwater corrosion would eat away at this reel in short-time as well. This technique can take a while to master but once you do, youll be getting bites in no time. For those who do plan on going saltwater fishing with freshwater reels, make sure to take proper care of your reels. Materials used in saltwater gear are ones that are tough enough to withstand the harsh environment of the sea and the corrosive power of saltwater. Just like with drift fishing, I recommend a 6-8-foot medium-action rod with a strong backbone. No need to worry about destructive salt and can be used in freshwater`s too without any problem. It doesnt mean that it cannot be broken or destroyed, just that they last longer than any other metal when subjected to saltwater. This waas a really wonderful post. Before we proceed to the differences between the two types of fishing gear let us first define what saltwater and freshwater fishing are. Motorboat or Sailing Yacht, What to choose for your Vacation? Required fields are marked *. I grew up fishing for anything that swims but really cut my teeth fishing for trout, chain pickerel, bass, and bullheads in my teenage years. I am an avid angler and outdoorsman. How To Register A Homemade Boat In Texas in Easy, Simple Steps! If you want to learn how to select the perfect rod and reel, you should read. This is a hefty bass rod and reel combination but this combo would be tiny compared to most saltwater outfits. Read on for a much more detailed breakdown of the differences between these two realms of sportfishing. Saltwater rods do not differ much with freshwater rods. Good freshwater reels may cost half of the quality saltwater spinning reels! There is plenty of stuff you need before you go saltwater fishing. Another difference worth mentioning for the lures is that there is plenty of option and a wide variety to choose from when it comes to freshwater ones. Read More: What Pound Test For Surf Fishing Do You Need: A Comprehensive Guide. The wide variety of large fish you can catch is a good selling point for this style. You can use a jig any time of the year and spinnerbaits can help you when your other lures get hung up. There are a few key points of differences when comparing the two. If you want to learn how to select the perfect rod and reel, you should read my article I wrote on this topic. The deeper you jig, the more imperative is to have a no-stretch fishing line.