Differences Between Saltwater and Freshwater Fishing

[Pfishingruven]

Someone asked me this question and I thought it would make a great topic.

What are the differences between saltwater and freshwater fishing?  Fishing is fishing and all of the principles and basics of fishing are the same, but their are definitely differences in the two. Please add your facts, ideas and opinions.

Thanks.

 

[Luna Sea 5]

saltwater you have to watch and fish the tide.

fresh water you have to look for stumps, holes and weed lines.

saltwater you can chum and have the fish find you.

freshwater you have to find the fish.

then there is the terminal tackle difference.

[bassnblues]

I've always considered freshwater fishing "mellow" as compared to salt.

The equipment is generally  smaller and lighter and so are the fish.

The freshwater environment is not as harsh as saltwater in a lot of ways.

Both have wide differences in themselves. Saltwater has surf fishing to canyon fishing. Freshwater has tiny brook trout to 50lb catfish.

[Bucktail]

Fishing is fishing and all of the principles and basics of fishing are the same...

You said it all right there.

The difference is not so much saltwater vs. freshwater, but in the varied characteristics and habits of the individual species sought.

[ped579]

H2O = Fresh water

H20 + NaCL = Salt Water

 

[Luna Sea 5]

fishing saltwater is cleaner in my opinion.. When i fresh water fish, its like fishing in a murky swamp with snakes, frogs, misquetos, etc..

Saltwater has the fresh salt air and some sea gulls..  

[gymrat987654321]

I started freshwater fishing in the early 1990's with my dad and had a great time. We mostly hit Spruce Run Reserviour and he fished for bass while I played with sunnies. Unfortuantly, in 2003 he passed away and I lost my fishing buddy. So then from 2003-07 I didnt fish at all. I call those "the lost years". Then in 2007 I thought "hey, Bayonne is surrounded by water so why not try to fish here." So I got some info on saltwater fishing bought a rod and went out. My first experience was a memorable one, I got my line cut by bluefish several times and I couldnt figure out why. It never happened to me in freshwater before, but then a local told me to use steel leaders and I finally got it. lol and I've been a saltwater guy ever since. So I didnt choose saltwater by choice but it chose me. Anyway I think the biggest difference is the water itself, lakes are nice and calm and you can relax while on the ocean their is alwayys something going on and your always rocking back and forth and its not as relaxing (to me). Saltwater is more of an experience and more entertaining and it keeps you occupied. Their is something different on every trip. If you lose a big fish it could swim to another state within hours, its not like if you lost a big fish in a lake or pond where it will always be in that lake. I think saltwater gives you more of an experience and more of a rush. From those waves crashing on the beach or that bluefish on your line, it's just more exciting that freshwater.

[gymrat987654321]

H2O = Fresh water

H20 + NaCL = Salt Water

 

 

[Bucktail]

saltwater you have to watch and fish the tide.

Tides on the Delaware around the Delran area are more extreme than many places around here (ocean or bay).

fresh water you have to look for stumps, holes and weed lines.

Not sure about stumps, but holes and weed lines are very important in saltwater fishing as well.

saltwater you can chum and have the fish find you.
freshwater you have to find the fish.

There are many species of freshwater fish that respond well to chum.

then there is the terminal tackle difference.

Depends what species you are fishing for.

[Luna Sea 5]

we are talking about basic NJ fishing.. Of course the Great Lakes are like fishing in the ocean, but I honestly think this post was referring to your basic NJ saltwater and basic NJ freshwater.

[Bucktail]

we are talking about basic NJ fishing.. Of course the Great Lakes are like fishing in the ocean, but I honestly think this post was referring to your basic NJ saltwater and basic NJ freshwater.

I guess it depends on what you consider "basic" fishing then.  Everything I wrote applies to fishing in NJ.

[bassnblues]

fishing saltwater is cleaner in my opinion..

Funny...I would say the opposite.

In the salt you have slimy weeds, sand, mud and salt residue. In fresh you don't have any of that.

Funny how different people have different perceptions of the same thing...

[Luna Sea 5]

my perception of saltwater.. because the water is always running (tide), the flow in my opinion is what I call CLEAN.  I look down and see clear, moving water, baitfish, and smell the salt breeze.  Fishing at night, all you get is dark.

my perception of freshwater.. still water, not as much flow as saltwater, I look down and see weeds all over, tree stumps, snakes, frogs and insects. Fishing at night, you have to watch your head for low flying bats.

I will swim in the ocean,bay,river, before ANY freshwater.

This is ONLY my opinion, so nobody get there pants in a bunch.

[Luna Sea 5]

saltwater you have to watch and fish the tide.

Tides on the Delaware around the Delran area are more extreme than many places around here (ocean or bay).

fresh water you have to look for stumps, holes and weed lines.

Not sure about stumps, but holes and weed lines are very important in saltwater fishing as well.

saltwater you can chum and have the fish find you.
freshwater you have to find the fish.

There are many species of freshwater fish that respond well to chum.

then there is the terminal tackle difference.

Depends what species you are fishing for.

Isn't the Delaware brackish, and not necessarily total fresh water, since its not a lake and runs into the saltwater.

I don't, and I don't think anyone will use 40 lbs spro and a rod used for stripers, to fish any NJ lake.

what do you chum with in a lake.  Most lake fishing is trolling motor, looking for structure.  I rarely see someone anchor in lake and trow a chum bag over board.

Lastly, yes, you structure will help you fish saltwater, but you don't necessarily need it to catch most species.  Fresh water you have to look for structure, as there is a NEED for it.

[Bucktail]

Isn't the Delaware brackish, and not necessarily total fresh water, since its not a lake and runs into the saltwater.

Depends where you are and the conditions.

I don't, and I don't think anyone will use 40 lbs spro and a rod used for stripers, to fish any NJ lake.

I wouldn't use a 40 lb. Spro anywhere!

But seriously, I rarely use anything more than a 7' muskie rod to fish for anything inshore.  And I would not hesistate to use it striper fishing on the Delaware if I were livelining.
However, I will use a light freshwater trout rod to fish for weakfish and snapper blues.

what do you chum with in a lake.  Most lake fishing is trolling motor, looking for structure.  I rarely see someone anchor in lake and trow a chum bag over board.

Although I don't do it (since I only use artificials in freshwater), it is very common for folks to chum up trout, panfish and carp in a lake.

Lastly, yes, you structure will help you fish saltwater, but you don't necessarily need it to catch most species.  Fresh water you have to look for structure, as there is a NEED for it.


Structure is the key to all fishing.  That's why those numbers everybody has squirrelled away on their GPS are so important.  And also why it's so hard to get exact locations out of some folks.

[striper74]

Hey Gymrat, sorry you lost your pop so early in life, I'm 35 and I fish with my pop every chance I get, though it's still not enough!  Glad to see you got back in the saddle after a few years

A lot of the same techniques we use in saltwater apply to freshwater and vice-versa, although I believe freshwater is much more "finesse". 

You can throw jigs in freshwater, you can throw jigs in saltwater....  Once you learn the technique in "either / or"  the results can be awesome!  I grew up freshwater, but pop (kezsr) had me bluefishing by 8 years old..... no skill involved! 

As someone else said, conditions play a HUGE role also.  My one rule I always learned from my pop, was keep your bait moving, especially when fluking!  You can dead stick a bunker head or clam for stripers, but this time of year if you want a doormat.... move your bait!

That's my 2 cents.. tight lines!

[Pfishingruven]

Gymrat,

Sorry to read that you lost your fishing buddy.  My father was the person, I always fished with too and we don't fish together at all any longer.  For me, I have 2 sons that I am teaching to fish.

Although, no one can replace your father or your fishing buddy, you will find someone or a few people that you will get together with and fish.  I'm sure some of these people will even come from here.  I know I have fished with some of them and been invited by several of them...

 

[ped579]

Hey gymrat,  Sorry to hear about your father and the loss of that best fishing buddy.  I am glad you have been on board and by the way you post you feel very comfortable with su as we do with you.  I can remember your first few times on and all the questions and now I don't think any one on here knows your real age except a few.  You come across as a very knowledgeable angler.  Keep up the good work and if you are down this way I would consider it an honor to fish with you someday.

I really do not find that much difference in either of the 2 as they both are seeking the same thing, fish.  The equipment can be just as expensive.  and there is just about the same variety in both water's tackle.

I have to agree with Nick and I feel that the salt version is much cleaner as I find my self going in the saltwater 99.99 times before I would go in fresh water.  I guess it is what you grow up with.  We fished salt almost exclusively living in Toms River for so long.  But I do have to say there are times that I do venture onto the fresh stuff to tackle the L M Bass here and there.

[wb]

salt, kills everything mechanical in time
maintenance is paramount- boats, motors, electrical, reels

fresh, machinery lasts much longer maintenance still important but not nearly as much

many of the same techniques tricks etc all apply in one way or the other regardless

no saltwater license (yet) but I'm still waiting for everyone to send me their $5 for the registry

[sperzonkers2]

How about a fly flingers perspective on this My grandfather taught me how to fish and it was in salt water. I got away from salt water and got into fly fishing only for trout, but after a while I wanted to try to fly fish for different fish. I came back to SW and have now bought my own boat back in 07. Difference is a size 2/0 fly as opposed to a size 24 midge I do also use in SW spinning and conventional tackle as the long rod is not for everything