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3 MOST EXPENSIVE Saltwater Fishing Mistakes (Most Anglers Make)

Salt Strong

40,633 views

Most saltwater anglers think they need more tackle, more spots, or more time on the water to finally start catching fish consistently.

But that’s not the real problem.

In this training, Joe and Luke break down the three expensive mistakes that keep inshore anglers skunked, frustrated, and wasting money.

You’ll learn:

Why “lucky spots” rarely stay lucky
How to find the 90/10 zone where feeding fish are most likely to be
Why your rod and reel setup may be costing you fish
How fish shift based on tides, wind, weather, and season
How to find fish from shore, boat, kayak, or while traveling
Why paying full price for random tackle can be a costly trap

If you want to catch more redfish, trout, snook, and flounder without wasting years guessing, this is the system we wish someone had shown us sooner.

Want Smart Fishing Spots plus access to regional coaches, 20–30% off tackle, and real-time community reports? Join the Insider Club for just $0.27 a day and fish with confidence every trip: https://info.saltstrong.com/pricing?u...

13 Comments

@Saltstrong Creator 4 months ago Pinned

Want Smart Fishing Spots plus access to regional coaches, 20–30% off tackle, and real-time community reports? Join the Insider Club for just $0.27 a day and fish with confidence every trip: https://info.saltstrong.com/pricing?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=comment&utm_campaign=fishing-report&utm_content=articles/3-most-expensive-saltwater-fishing-mistakes&utm_term=05-13-26-js-TnbHzL_ffGU

@joejones2847 4 months ago

I have started to look forward to my next tackle tester lure every month. I got the top water this month and normally never fish top water but I love it.

@davidvolland7250 3 months ago

I live all way up in Wisconsin but some of your info works for fresh water and some baits too, obviously I don’t pay too much attention if you get too heavy into I particular salt water species, but I pick up some golden nuggets, keep up the good work. Wish I could winter fish

@kountzer0 1 month ago

Im referring to the 35-minute mark about the rod guides, reel height, and angle check. I've never seen that, so thank you! As an engineer, I get curious about the details. I've assembled a few fly rods, so guides and spacing make sense to me, but I never built a spinning rod, even though I use them for inshore when I can. I just tested my Bg 2500 and my Battle 2 2500 with my TFO TRS 704-3 and my Fenwick Eagle EA66-FS-3. Both are 3 piece travel models with medium actions. The TFO is 7ft while the Fenwick is 6ft 6inch. I am providing the details since it's data folks could possibly use. The BG fits both rods better than the battle2, but the eagle has line touching guides much more with both reels. I think I'll move the first two guides closer to the reel on both rods just to get more clearance. I love both of these rods as is, of course, but a touch of care now and then isn't much to ask. I live in AZ and am lucky enough to get to coastal NC now and then, but I grew up fishing there, and I have awesome friends to fish with. I know what I'm doing with guide wraps, so it is just a little indoor project in the AZ summer at 112 degrees as I type this. Tight lines! May you all have fair winds and following seas. I will likely do the insider thing again soon, despite my desert rat status.

@johnmoore3504 4 months ago

I found inshore fishing easier then bassin' because the tides create situations that you can take advantage of. Fishing generally comes down to two main things: 1) confidence and 2) local knowledge. You could be just a few boats lengths away from that honey hole and never know it - so details matter. However even those 10% spots that check all the boxes are not a guarantee. So the real question is just how much running to do between these zones to optimize a trip since moving wastes time and fuel. Still trying to figure that out. Personally my own spots out perform the Smart Spots app but there is some overlap so I can see where the app would be helpful to newer anglers that don't have time to explore.

As far as gear goes you have to buy quality stuff that will last. With spinning reels that seems to be right around $175 price point. Cheaper stuff is disposable junk that isn't going to last very long where as high-end stuff is overkill and not needed. The hardest part about rods is you need a reference point. A medium / fast rod in one brand could be a light / moderate rod from another company despite being labeled the same as this comes down to materials and construction. The first time I bought a nice $300 rod I was blown away by how good it was. That said I've got some $150 rods that are perfect for certain lures because it just depends on the required action. For example you don't need a sensitive rod when working a big topwater. I feel the key here is matching the rod to the lure's weight.

@jackdickerson2031 4 months ago

Can you develop a course to help understand what is in the smart spots chart. I am curious what the redline means and how to use the table.

@secondchancesrvadventures 4 months ago

I just joined a few weeks ago and I am so glad I did. Great products including the Smart Spots app! Quick shipping and wonderful customer service. They also provide a social media outlet with a great and supportive community. I’ll be a member for life! Thanks Salt Strong!

@FrostyBear74 4 months ago

In several of your videos you have mentioned the Slot Machine at "200 and something dollars," where is this deal? I have only seen them offered a lot higher for insiders.

@tbirdsdign 4 months ago

Does your app show fishing spots in Hatteras N.C. In the Pamlico Sound? And Rivers in Va? Thank you

@JayCapo 4 months ago

Does the smart spot app support the new york area for striped bass ?

@AMavridesR 4 months ago

#1 mistake that salt water anglers make is not being a member of salt strong

@michaelolkowski9060 4 months ago

In the case of point Number 2, IMHO, its not so much the tool as it is the angler's ability to use the tools he has for maximum efficiency. Case in point: once bought a 7 ft. Ben Doerr St. Croix surface stick. It was too long for my Maxima, so I used to put the tip out the window. Forgot twice, and the rod was 6'3". Did I stop using it? Hell no. It became my go-to stick, no loss of sensitivity, but lifting power up the wazoo. Cannot tell you how many 20+ striped bass i dragged out from under bridges with it. Have the best, and the latest, is great, but if a $10 dollar tool performs the same function as a $100 one, then what is the sense of spending $90 more. As an aside, a S.Jersey fluke specialist, Fred Uhlmann, would regularly film episodes with him slaying the fluke with a....Barbie rod.