Saltwater fishing, whether inshore or offshore, can be an exciting way to experience fishing, but new and even experienced anglers will sometimes shy away from it because of the equipment requirements. Saltwater fishing in NYC does require a different setup from freshwater fishing. This means anglers will need to invest in the right equipment and learn how to use the equipment they are not already familiar with before they can start reeling in impressive catches.
Fortunately, you can often get started with only a few basic items and skills as you go to set up your first fishing rig and start enjoying NYC saltwater fishing.
Choosing Your Saltwater Fishing Setup
Because saltwater fishing includes many different types of fish and locations, there is still going to be some difference in what you need based on where you are fishing. For instance, there are recommended rigs for bottom fishing, surf fishing, fishing from boats, or fishing off the end of a pier. In addition, the type of fish and the day to day conditions in these different environments will also play a part in what you need for your fishing outfit.
Regardless of where and how you fish, there are four basic rigging pieces required in addition to your rod and reel:
- Fishing Line – There are a variety of lines available, including braided fishing lines, monofilament lines, and fluorocarbon lines. The line choice is almost always based on the fish. For instance, a 70 pound trophy striper requires a heavier weight braided line while a thin fluorocarbon line is often a good choice for lightweight mackerel. You will have to choose the right line for both your main line and the leader.
- Swivels or Connectors – Swivels enable you to connect leaders, baits, and lures to the main line. You can also use a knot if you are experienced with saltwater knots.
- Weights – Weights will control where your hook and bait are in the water column. The type of weight and how big it is depends on where your fish will be, whether they are a bottom feeder or prefer to be up in the current. It also matters how rough the water is on any particular day.
- Hooks and Lures – The last piece of your fishing saltwater fishing rig will be a hook if you are using live bait or a lure. Live bait is generally easier to use for beginner saltwater fishing.
One of the easiest ways to manage rigs for saltwater fishing is to make them up before you leave and keep them in your tackle box. This makes it easy to pull out rigs as you need them. It also prevents you from having to assemble rigs when conditions may be less than ideal.
Choosing each of the individual parts is determined by several factors, and you will likely determine what works best for you over time. To get started, a Carolina rig is one of the easiest setups and works in several different locations.
A Caroline rig requires a line of your choice based on the type of fish, a swivel, an offset hook, a bead, and a bullet weight. You begin by putting the bead and weight on the line together, which will create a sound in the water that fish will feel to help attract fish to your hook.
After the weight, use the swivel to attach a leader between 1.5 and 2 feet long. Longer leaders are better for churning water and offshore fishing. At the end of the leader, tie your hook. This rig is easy to complete and will work for a variety of saltwater fish around NYC.
If you want to start saltwater fishing without having to set up an extensive kit, another option is to fish aboard the Marilyn Jean. We provide rod, reels, and tackle so that you do not need to worry about your setup and can simply get started fishing, making the easiest and most efficient way to get into saltwater fishing.
We offer saltwater fishing experiences for many of the area’s different fish types with everything you need to make a memorable catch. To plan a half day or full day saltwater fishing trip on the Marilyn Jean to experience the best fishing in NYC, purchase tickets to sail with us through our online calendar.