While the basics for fishing are the same whether fresh water or saltwater, the equipment and techniques you use are usually quite a bit different. Whether salt or fresh water fishing, you need a rod. Saltwater fishing rods are bigger, stronger and heavier than the rods you would use at the lake. Trying to catch a marlin on your lake trout pole, might be a little difficult.

Saltwater reels are also different. They are bigger, made of non corrosive material and are made to hold thicker, heavier fishing line. While you may catch some saltwater fish on the same rod and reel you use at the lake, it will not hold up over time in the saltwater.

While fishing at the lake you do not need to worry about the tidal pull that you get with saltwater fishing. Incoming and outgoing tides create strong currents. Saltwater tackle is made to combat this. The use of heavy sinkers and larger hooks is necessary, along with steel leaders, as many saltwater fish have really sharp teeth.

Whether fresh or saltwater fishing, you need to have some type of bait, either artificial or the real thing. There are a lot of choices. It mostly depends on what you are fishing for and what you want to use. A lot of fresh water bait will work in both fresh and saltwater, but some of it just doesn’t hold up in the saltwater. Talk to the professionals where you plan on fishing. They can help guide you to all the information and equipment you need for fishing saltwater or freshwater.