salt water fishing

Question
I will be going to the Florida Keys first week of March and although I have a lot of experience fishing northern Ontario Canada I have never fished saltwater.I will be staying in a private cottage in Marathon located on the water in a channel ,and possibly will rent a small runabout for 2 days and try some areas close by.I will be taking my rods that I have used for salmon trolling and a light spincast rod I use for everything else as well as I will be purchasing a saltwater spincast combo at pro bass shop in the $150 range.What advise do you have on tackle to bring or buy and if I am fishing from the dock of the cottage what method would you recomend?Thanks Wayne

Answer
Hi Wayne;

I have attempted to answer this question a couple of times and have had problems with the computer.  I must admit my knowledge of computers is much less than my fishing experience.  I do not know if it is at my end or something with the fowarding.  So here is another attempt to get the information to you.

The single most important thing for you to do while fishing in Florida is to look for the similarities in the type of fishing being done there to what you already do.  I fish both fresh and salt, and there are very, very little differences between the two.  Though the specific species you will be seeking are different, their respective possitions in the ecosystem they inhabit are often very similar.  Let me give you an example.  I have fished small mouth bass in lake Ontario.  I do most of my fishing along the south shore of LI, NY.  Summer flounder (fluke) are one of the most popular fish in this area.  Though they look nothing like a small mouth, their role in the salt water ecosystem is almost identical to that of the small mouth, and consequently the ways I fish for both are almost identical.  Same baits, same rigs, same tackle, and same methods.  Trolling for striped bass along the ocean beaches is very similar to the trolling you would do for the various trout and salmon species on the great lakes.  

When you are in Florida visit a local bait and tackle shop and discuss your situation with the proprieter.  Let him know you are an experienced fisherman but unfamiliar with the species and methods employed where you are now vacationing.  Ask for advice and by all means spend a few dollars on bait, lures, and/or terminal tackle that he recommends.  Try to equate this to your own angling experience.  Look for the similarities, not the differences. I am confident you will see just how many more similarities there are than differences.  Basically, everything you use in fresh water could probably be used in the salt with the only real difference being the need to completely rinse your gear at the end of the day with fresh water.  If you have the room, bring as much tackle as you can.  Since I have become more and more interested in light tackle fishing, the majority of the equipment I use in the salt is really intended for fresh water.  Extra care in cleaning and lubricating and it works well.  

Remember, the few dollars you spend at the local tackle shop will probably buy advice that is worth far more than the cost of the bait and terminal gear you purchase.  

-Rich