Freshwater and Saltwater Fishing Fishing is a sport enjoyed by many outdoor enthusiast. There is nothing like hearing the sharp, high pitched whining of the reel as your line gets pulled into the depths of the glistening, crystal clear, salty water. There are two types of fishing; saltwater and freshwater. Many people do not realize the vast differences in the two types of fishing, or even the obvious similarities. Selecting the right equipment for the different fishing styles, such as tackle and bait, can make or break an anglers day. Any fisherman needs some basic gear to be successful on the water. Whether it is saltwater or freshwater fishing, there are three essential parts to a fishing setup. The first would be a fishing pole. This is used to string your line and allow you to reel it back in once you have hooked a fish. The second would be your line which is used to cast out into the water. The last vital component to any fishing setup would be the hook. With any luck, the fish will latch onto your hook and you can reel it in. The main differences in freshwater and saltwater fishing is the type of tackle that is used. Lakes and ponds are usually the main spots for freshwater fishing, whereas saltwater fishing is done in the massive ocean. These size differences in the water holes has a drastic affect on the size of your catch. Freshwater fish are typically smaller, usually around 10 pounds, while saltwater fish can be as big as a car. In order to pull in a massive animal such as a shark, you must have heavier tackle. This heavier tackle includes thicker and stronger line, stiffer poles, and a bigger hook. Freshwater fishing requires much lighter tackle. You can literally go fish in the pond in your backyard with just a Mountain Dew bottle and string. Smaller hooks are required in order to fit inside of their mouths and thinner line may be used. An american would not want to eat a snake, just like a person overseas would not find deep fried oreos to be very appealing. The same idea applies to fishing. Freshwater and saltwater fish each have different appetites. The main baits used to catch freshwater fish would be earthworms, crickets, and grub worms. Saltwater fish favor a different type of meal, such as shrimp, mullet, and squid. Depending on the type of fish that you are trying to catch, it helps to know what type of bait they will favor and will most likely find to be an appetizing dinner. Water depth can be another important factor in fishing. Different species of fish prefer to be at various depth. Both freshwater and saltwater bodies can experience changes in water depth, but the manner in which they change can vary. Freshwater systems can change water depth due to the amount of rainfall experience in that certain region and the amount of evaporation from that body of water. Saltwater systems, like the ocean, experience changes in water depth due to the local tides. These tides are the effect of the moons gravitational pull on Earth. As you can see, there are many differences in these styles of fishing. Freshwater fishing is by far the less demanding and less costly way to go. If you are the type of person looking for that monster and jaw dropping catch and fight, saltwater fishing might be for you. Always select your tackle and bait based on the style of fishing you will be doing, and don’t forget to take a look at the tide chart on your way out. If you try these simple and easy tips on your next fishing trip, you are nearly guaranteed to bring in a trophy fish and have an amazing story to tell.