Float Fishing Salt Water

[Bow Buster]

Just wanted to see what you all thought about this subject. I am seriously considering making a move down to South Florida in the next few years. I am at a point where these winters are just a pain in the butt and my wife is some what intolerant to the cold (she's from the tropics) and wants to be in warmer weather. Now I know that this winter has been very mild and wet but still... The weather there still beats this even now.

Last year we stopped in St. Augustine for a few days before heading down to Weston (work for the CCF) to look at houses I fished the Intercoastal and couldn't but help imagine what it would be like fishing the bridges with floats as the tides were coming in or going out. Does anyone have any experience with fishing like this? Or is this a new concept? We also drove over some the canals and after hearing about Peacock Bass and Snakeheads well... This has my mouthwatering to try to catch a few of those. Hmmm... Looks like I'm gonna need to stock up on some wagglers and large slip floats.

So hopefully someone has some insight as to the gear that would be needed. I am suspecting that our float rods are grossly undersized for what's lurking benieth those waters.

Thanks,

Randy

[GobyOneGnoby]

A rod building customer float fished the Gulf tides with some success. The salt water did do a number on his reel - mostly the bearings. The salt reacted with the grease and created a gummy substance. We degreased it and oiled the bearings and it was good to go. It critical to rinse your gear after every outing as the salt reeks havoc on aluminum, anodizing, bearings etc.

As for effectiveness, he said nothing was better for fishing live bait, although tossing artificial with spinning or casting gear was more productive in many cases. He also said a float rod is a PITA from a sea kayak.

Good luck!

[Centerpin]

A 13' to 15' 10/11 wt spey conversion sounds like a good start. Good luck, I am sure you will get more than a few head turns fishing like that down there.

[Gardinhackle]

I've float fished salt water with success. No with a float reel but using floats and a long rod/spinning reel. The guys on the beach look at you odd but not after you start hammmering the fish while they don't. I fish live shrimp under those popper floats you see everywhere down in Florida. I've caught many species like Spanish mackeral, Lady Fish, Permit, Yellow tail and so on. All fight hard and respond well to that type of presentation. Just clean your gear with fresh water after as stated above. I prefer 12 lb to 15lb test and medium/heavy rods. If you hook something big you can always strighten the rod out and break him off to save your gear.

[fryinpansam]

BB, just reserve a room for me when you discover how to fish down there !


FPS

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Good luck ! post some pics
J