Are you interested in UK saltwater fly fishing?
If so, as a beginner to saltwater fly fishing, you are probably wondering what species of fish you can catch on the fly.
In the UK, common saltwater species of fish for fly fishers to target include the sea trout, pollock, bass, mackerel, and mullet. Although they are not usually targeted, it is not uncommon for a fly fisherman to catch other species of fish by accident on the fly.
Other species that could be caught while targeting other species include flat fish, wrasse, salmon and even some members of the shark family.
Fly fishing in the sea is gaining popularity as it offers anglers a different way to catch fish that are traditionally caught using baits or lures.
All the main species of UK saltwater fish you can catch on the fly will offer great sport on the fly and are a thrill to catch.
Additionally, if you are heading to the coast on holiday, it is worth bringing your fly rod along to see what you can catch.
Saltwater Fly Fishing Species UK
Below are some of the most common species of sea fish for saltwater fly fishermen to target in the UK.
Sea Trout
Sea trout are one of the most targeted species of saltwater fish. Sea trout are brown trout that have migrated to sea due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors, usually due to a lack of food. In freshwater, competition between resident trout can be high.
The sea offers the trout a richer diet where they feed on shrimp and fish such as gobies, sandeels, butterfish and other mouth sized snacks. Sea trout will return to freshwater to spawn.
Fly Fishing for sea trout is usually done during the autumn and winter months. Good marks are estuaries where sea trout
Sea trout can be found close to the shore where they use the cover of the shallows to escape predators such as seals. They make use of the vegetation to hide as well as for ambushing prey.
Estuaries make good marks for sea trout fishing, the tidal mouth of rivers, as the sea trout will move down river at high tide to feed.
Optimum fishing times for sea trout are around three hours before the tide is fully in and two hours as the tide is going out.
The best flies for sea trout are flies that accurately represent their prey. As such, shrimp and bait fish patterns will prove to be a success.
Mackerel
Mackerel are one of the hardest fighting fish you can catch on the fly rod pound for pound. Catching a mackerel on the fly is a thrill and one of the best ways to catch mackerel.
Mackerel are easy to catch but hard to find within the casting range of a fly rod. They are found in deeper waters such as piers. These areas are more accessible with a spinning or beach rod but are not suited to being fishing with a fly rod.
Unless you are fly fishing from a boat, the best place to fly fish for mackerel is from rocky coastal marks where mackerel can be found within casting range.
Rocky marks with deep water are ideal as they have deep water no matter the state of the tide.
Mackerel are not fussy eaters, if you can get a lure fly in front of a shoal of mackerel you will be sure to catch.
Do not release any mackerel. They are delicate fish and if they are handled, they die after a few days. It is better to stop fishing once you have caught enough mackerel to eat.
Bass
Other than sea trout, bass is likely to be your target species when it comes to saltwater fly fishing in the UK.
It is found close to the shore and easy to catch on the fly rod. Importantly, it is an aggressive fighting fish.
The largest difficulty in fishing for bass is finding the first. Try areas that are known to be good for bass fishing.
Bass can be found in areas such as drop-offs and rocky gulleys where the flood tide stirs food the bass prey on. This makes these areas important to concentrate on however, you should cover as much ground as you can with your fly.
Cast your fly not only in front of you but also to your side. Vary your retrieves and try different depths. If you get your fly in front of a feeding bass, it is sure to go for it. Don’t be afraid to change your fly if you are not catching.
Pollock / Coalfish
Pollock and coalfish can be caught on the fly from rocks. When fishing from the rocks be careful with your back cast as you are likely to hit the rocks or cliffs behind you.
Pollock like to hide in the kelp where they ambush smaller fish. You will be surprised at how small the pollock will be compared to the size of the fly you catch them on.
Even if you are not specifically targeting pollock or coalfish, you are bound to catch them by accident when fly fishing for other saltwater species.
On difficult fishing days, when targeting other species, catching a pollock on the fly is always welcome.
Pollock are a decent fighting fish especially on light tackle. However, you should watch as they will head for rocks or kelp when hooked and you could easily become snagged.
A floating or sinking tip with a bait fish imitation pattern will be enough to tease the pollock from the kelp.
Mullet
Of all saltwater fish species, you can catch on the fly in the UK, the mullet is the most difficult and frustrating to catch.
You can find mullet patrolling harbours. These are not always the best places to fly fish so make sure it is safe to do so both before and during your fishing session. If you know of beaches where mullet tend to congregate, they will be successful fishing marks.
Once you have found them, they prove to be fussy and difficult to hook as their small mouths are able to detect all but the most delicate of fly presentations.
Mullet are shy fish; they often turn away from your fly at the last minute or completely ignore it. They can be easily spooked by fly fishing lines as they are cast on the surface of the water.
Try using a fine leader to avoid scaring the mullet and to present the flies more delicately. Bread flies as well as scud or shrimp imitations are your best bet for catching mullet. Using smaller flies to hook them more easily.
Other Species
There are several other species of fish you can catch with a fly fishing rod in the UK. Although these fish are typically caught by accident while targeting one of the species listed above, they are nonetheless a welcome catch.
If you are lucky enough you may accidentally catch a flat fish, wrasse, salmon and even some members of the shark family.
General Equipment for Saltwater Fly Fishing
I recommend using a fly rod and fly reel designed for saltwater use as saltwater can quickly corrode the rod guides as well as a reel not designed for saltwater use. A saltwater fly rod and reel does not have to break the bank.
It is better to buy a dedicated saltwater kit than to sacrifice your trout rod and reel to the sea.
A wt 6 or 7 fly rod will still be light enough to offer the angler good sport but, it will prove to be more capable when fighting large sea trout, bass and pollock. It will allow the angler to help keep the fish under control and prevent it from going into snags.
I recommend a weight 6 or 7 fly road as a minimum weight to go for to fish for saltwater fish in the UK. While you might be tempted to go lower, to a 5, to get good sport from light tackle. A wt 5 fly rod will, in some situations, prove itself to be a little too light.
This becomes immediately apparent in head winds, when wanting to cast larger flies than the rod can handle, and when you need a rod with a little back bone to get the fish away from snags.
A weight 8 or 9 fly rod will ideal for fly fishing for sea bass as they will be able to handle well in strong winds, cast larger flies and fight the aggressive fighting bass.
Other recommended equipment for saltwater fly fishing includes: a bag pack, line basket, polarized sunglasses, waders, wading boots, landing net, spare fly lines.