Saltwater fishing gear

Question
I have only freshwater fished and I would like to try saltwater fishing. If I understand correctly their is offshore saltwater fishing and deepwater fishing.

I am looking for help/answers on what type of pole, reel, line and tackle I should purchase to start. I went to the store and their was no diffinitive labeling stating that certain items were to be used for saltwater and others for fresh water.

Could you help me get started?

Thanks,

Al

Answer
Hi Al;

The reason you have not seen much in the way of diffinitive labeling about salt or fresh water is because most tackle made today is suitable for both.  Rods, reels, and line are almost all usable in both types of fishing.  With the exception of really cheap stuff, any major manufacturer of fishing gear will produce products that can be used in both circumstances.  Of course the care for these is greater in the salt.  Rinse them with a fine misty spray of fresh water at the end of the day and keep them well lubed, and they will last for many seasons.  I do a great deal of back bay fishing for striped bass, weakfish, summer flounder and assorted bottom fish here in the North East and most of my tackle is what would be sold as fresh water gear.  I do this because I enjoy light tackle and find these most suitable to my needs.  Salt water does eventually cause a few corrosion problems, but for the most part I am using so called fresh water gear in salt water with very little problem.  Some of the outfits I use are more than 10 years old and work fine.  

If you get into heavier gear for off shore application, then virtually everything sold is designed for salt water fishing.  There simply is not much of a market for big heavy gear in fresh water fishing.  

The one area where there is a major difference in salt and fresh water gear is in the terminal tackle.  Every lure made for fresh water fishing will catch as well in the salt, but the hooks will quickly rust.  Major manufacturers of lures such as Rapala and Storm will sell salt water versions of many of their popular hard baits.  The difference is the hooks, they are of a material or plating that is more resistant to rusting.  Jigs and leadheads also are either saltwater verions or fresh again according to the hooks.  Other connecting gear such as swivels, snaps, and such are almost always made of salt water resistant materials.  So your only real concern would be hooks,  either loose for bait, or as part of a lure.  

Depending upon the species you intend to fish for and the methods you intend to employ, it is very likely you can start with the gear you already own.  Just keep the reels well lubed and give them a good rinse off with fresh water at the end of the day.

-Rich