So you want to go fishing in the ocean, and you’re wondering if you can use your freshwater gear in saltwater? You’ve heard that your freshwater pole and the gear will rust from the saltwater.
Can you use a lake fishing pole in the ocean? Technically speaking, yes, you can use your lake pole for ocean fishing. But not all poles are created equally. Some will work better than others. It depends on what type of fishing you plan to do and what kind of fish you plan to catch.
In a minute, we’ll go over some tips about how to use your lake fishing pole in the ocean. But first, let’s go over some of the differences between the two types of poles.
What’s the Difference Between a Freshwater Pole and a Saltwater Pole?
Dependable and well-suited rods and reels are the base for any successful fishing trip, whether you’re fishing in freshwater or saltwater. But with so many options on the market, figuring out which gear is most suitable for the type of fishing that you’re doing can be a daunting task. Saltwater and freshwater gear have distinct characteristics. Let’s look at some of them.
The rod
The reason that it’s better to use a saltwater rod and reel in the ocean is that they are designed to withstand the corrosive properties of salt. Most of the saltwater fishing rods that you’ll find are constructed with graphite or fiberglass.
Compared to graphite, fiberglass poles are sturdier and more powerful. However, graphite poles are more sensitive and stiffer.
One difference between freshwater fishing and saltwater fishing is the size of the fish. Saltwater fish species have a much wider range than their freshwater counterparts. That means that a saltwater rod has to handle heavier weight.
When you compare freshwater rods and saltwater rods, you’ll find that saltwater fishing rods are much more substantial and thicker.
Freshwater fishing rod types include bait-casting, spinning, telescopic, closed pin-casting, ultra-light, and carbon-fiber. And the different types of saltwater rods are bait-casting, spinning, trolling, and jigging.
Here’s an excellent video with more information on how to choose the right fishing rod:
Saltwater reels
Beyond the differences in rods, saltwater and freshwater reels also have distinct characteristics. Ocean fishing reels come with sealed casings that prevent the saltwater from getting inside. Another corrosion-resistant feature of saltwater reels is that their outer covering is anodized.
It is best to use saltwater rods and reels in the ocean because freshwater reels are more likely to rust, corrode, and get damaged when exposed to the harsh environment of saltwater.
Saltwater fishing reels are classified as high-speed or low-speed. With high-speed reels, you have a gear ratio of more than six to one. That allows you to retrieve at faster speeds. Low-speed reels, on the other hand, have a ratio of less than four to one. Low-speed reels offer more power, which is especially helpful when you’re battling big fish.
Like the rods, saltwater reels come in three different types: bait-casting, spinning, trolling, and jigging.
Freshwater reels
There are also three different types of freshwater reels: open-bail spinning, bait-casting, and closed spin-casting. With bait-casting reels, you get a level-wind mechanism. This prevents snagging and line trapping when you’re casting your lures.
Open-bail spinning reels are different. They use a fixed spool that is mounted below the rod. Closed spin-casting reels also have a fixed spool without the line roller and large wire bail where the line can be thrown from. The closed spin-casting reels are equipped with pickup pins and a metal cup to help you wind the line on the spool.
The line capacity
Another way that saltwater reels differ from freshwater reels is in their line capacity. You can typically find the line capacity on the body of the reel. It should match with the recommended line weight labeled on your rod.
Because ocean fishing uses larger lure weights for the heavier and larger fish species, your line capacity should also be larger.
If I Want to Use the Same Pole for the Lake and the Ocean, What Type of Pole Should I Use?
When you’re searching for the right freshwater or saltwater fishing rod, it’s essential that you consider which type of fishing technique you plan to use. Are you planning on trolling offshore for kingfish? Or are you planning on casting crankbaits to some largemouth bass in your local pond?
After you have determined your technique, you can then factor in the strength and size or your target fish species. This will help you to choose the appropriate rod power.
If you are wanting to get a versatile rod that you can use when fishing in saltwater as well as freshwater, you should look for a medium power saltwater rod rated for line weights from 8 to 17 pounds.
Saltwater rods that are light tackle can be used in freshwater, but it’s probably not the best idea to use your freshwater rod in saltwater because the rod and gear may not be made with corrosion-resistant materials.
If you really want to use your lake fishing pole in the ocean, you can do it, but there are a few important things that you must do to protect your equipment.
For more information about using your freshwater pole in saltwater, read here.
6 Tips for Using Your Lake Fishing Pole in the Ocean
As we’ve been discussing, freshwater rods don’t necessarily hold up well in a saltwater environment. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t use your lake pole in the ocean. You can. However, there are a few things you must do to protect your gear.
There’s no getting around it–any kind of rod and reel that you use in saltwater is going to get salt on it. This is definitely true if you’re surf fishing. Not only will you get saltwater on your equipment with surf fishing, but you will also probably get some sand in the reel.
The thing is, when you use your fishing reel in freshwater, you can go years without ever needing to do any maintenance on your reel. That is not the case with saltwater fishing. The key to using your freshwater rod and reel in saltwater is taking the time to break down your reel and thoroughly cleaning it.
1. Rinse off the salt!
Always, and I mean always, rinse your fishing reel and rod off with fresh water after you use them in saltwater. Read here for more information about how to clean your freshwater rod after using it in saltwater.
2. Clean everything thoroughly
Be sure that you take the time to remove anything from your reel and rod that could be corrosive. Don’t forget about the small bits of debris that may get caught in the crevices.
3. Lubricate
You should regularly lubricate your fishing reel, whether you’re using a freshwater reel or a saltwater reel. By the way, here’s an article I’ve written that explains the best oil and grease we’ve found for cleaning and maintaining your fishing reel bearings and parts.
4. Nothing lasts forever
Nothing lasts forever. Even your equipment that’s specifically made for saltwater will eventually be affected by the highly corrosive power of salt.
5. Consider the size of the fish
If you’re going to use your freshwater rod and reel in saltwater, then you should be sure that you use it for fishing for some of the smaller fish. Now, if you’re planning on fishing for large game fish like halibut, tuna, or marlin, then you will want to use a stronger rod and reel that’s made specifically for saltwater.
6. Not all fishing poles are created equal
Because all rods and reels are different, you will find that some freshwater gear won’t even last through one trip in the salt. Yet others could last for years if you maintain them properly.
If you’re looking for an excellent freshwater reel that you can also use in saltwater, we recommend going with Shimano. Shimano (click to see on Amazon) is known for its freshwater reels that can survive being used in saltwater if you properly maintain them.
The Bottom Line
You can easily use fishing rods and reels made for saltwater in freshwater, and you don’t have to worry about additional maintenance. You can also use freshwater rods and reels when fishing in saltwater; however, it will require more maintenance.
So if you’re buying a new fishing pole that you want to use in both freshwater and saltwater, it’s best to go with a saltwater rod and reel. If you’re determined to go with freshwater gear, then we recommend going with Shimano with their excellent reputation for working well in freshwater as well as saltwater.
If you’re just wondering if you can use the freshwater pole that you currently own in the ocean, then the answer is yes, but you should proceed with caution. Be sure to spend time doing proper maintenance. And always, always, always rinse your pole off thoroughly after every use.
Happy fishing!