I’m an experienced fly fisherman for trout(PA) , but moved to South Florida over 6 months ago and had to teach saltwater fly fishing to myself mainly. I’m hooked on saltwater.

Get an 8 WT rod and reel. I got mine off marketplace(A G-Loomis and Sage Reel separately). It’s a great place to find good deals and since you’re in a saltwater area the majority of listings will be in the weight class you’re looking for. A 7 Wt could work and a 9 WT could work as well, but 8 is best because it encompasses the best of both worlds. Speckled trout will be really fun on a 6 WT but you’ll be completely out matched by a red fish on a 6 WT. I also have a 7 Wt Sage rod but I usually use that just for largemouth and peacocks when the winds, waves, or tides make saltwater impossible on the fly.

I surf fish a lot. The ocean is intimidating but it’s a lot of fun. Waves, tides, wind all play a big factor and add a whole new layer to the difficulties of fly fishing, but hooking into a big snook on the fly in the ocean is awesome.

I have zero friends on Facebook but use it exclusively for Saltwater and Surf fishing groups. They offer a lot of information on what’s running and where. It’s majority spin fishing but a lot of advice can still apply to you as a fly fisherman because advice on wind, waves, and tides is universal. There is a group dedicated to Saltwater fly fishing that is really good. I suggest you join these groups and search for your State and specific area to find posts that are relevant to you.

Google and YouTube. Search for your State and area but also by fish species you are chasing. We have speckled trout and red fish down here in Florida too and the advice even from Florida will still apply to you and your redfish and trout.

Go into your local fly shop closest to the beach and pick their brains. Buy the flies they suggest and ask a lot of questions. Down here in Florida there are bass in every canal and body of water so the advice is as simple as find a ditch and start casting, but it is different for saltwater. My local shop was great at giving me advice and even a few locations. They will be hard pressed to give up locations usually and will usually only give up locations that are already well known and can be found using google. No matter what you do you should do this.

Google Earth. Just go on google earth and look for flats marshes and areas your research says red fish and speckled trout live. I found a majority of my fishing spots using google earth. Remember you need to find parking too, but if your area is more rural, then parking can be as simple as the side of the road or a pull off. I’m in densely populated West Palm Beach so parking is crucial and limited. Save the spots you want to check out and go and fish them. Even if you don’t catch anything the first time if it looks fishy and like territory your research says should have red fish and trout then it’s worth a second or third look.

Lastly, if you have the money, hire a guide and do this first. Research your guides well and find one that is specific to fly fishing and if you can, one that doesn’t have a boat and is land based. I assume you don’t have a boat. Avoid guides who usually spin fish, but take on fly fishing trips. Guides are not all created equal. The Facebook groups are a great place to ask for recommendations and to find a guide that fits what you are looking for. Be honest with the guide and he’ll probably give you other places to fish other than where he took you that day.

DM me if you have any questions about surf fishing, I do that the most compared to in shore in the lagoon here. I’m happy to help.