guys im going to florida and im gonna be doing alot of bass fishing but I might do some light saltwater fishing. What can i do to protect my freshwater gear? thanks and tight lines

I rinse off my rod, reel and lures when saltwater fishing. Not everyone does the lures but thats just how I was raised, and it's what I do.

 

I don't know what rod you use for bass now, but it probably won't be well suited for saltwater fishing down here. It's hard to target "light saltwater fish". you could be going for some smaller trout and hook a huge snook or red. trust me, it happens, you just never know down here lol. that's why I would recommend (if your wallet allows) just trying to get something saltwater specific. Ugly stick lite is a fine option and even has a rebate right now which would made it like 30$. just leave the bass gear at home for bass fishing. 

 

hope this helps, its just my personal experience. 

Use a medium or medium heavy spinning rod with braid 10lb or heavier, baitcasters can get messed up easily in saltwater if they aren't designed for it, but most spinning reels are fine in the salt. Get some jigheads 1/8-1/2oz, some 12-40lb fluorocarbon leader (depending on how toothy the fish you target will be and what type of structure they are near), a tub of gulp 4" swimming mullet in pearl or chartreuse, and have a blast!  

guys im going to florida and im gonna be doing alot of bass fishing but I might do some light saltwater fishing. What can i do to protect my freshwater gear? thanks and tight lines

 

Grab your not so favorite larger reels and MH to H sticks, check your drags to make sure they are somewhat smooth. If you top shot your reels make sure your connecting knot is up to snuff (or better yet respool). After a days fishing, with the drags not backed out all the way lightly mist the reels with fresh water for a couple of minutes (you don't want heavy pressure) and dry out in the sun, lube levelwind, and a light coat of some petroleum spray you have around. Rods get the same treatment, or washed with soap if using bait all day. If you are fishing the ocean in Fl, be aware that the salinity is quite high, and can damage gear much quicker than some other places. I really like Jig and flipping sticks for inshore salt water. I've caught some nice snappers, grouper, jacks, cudas, tarpon, and sharks on them over the years. I have 2 older flipping sticks that only see saltwater duty any more and are among my favorite rods.

Bring your heaviest bass outfit like a punching rod or flippin n pitchin rod. If you're using a baitcaster, make sure to rinse it alot. It will mess up your gear. 

You can use you're bass rods and reels in the intercostal I did for years and years.. Took em to Puerto Rico too.... Play those bigger fish, it's fine! Rinse your rods and reels daily and you should be fine. After you're salt fun tear em down clean em real good and that's it.

thanks guys! this was really helpful

I could give a long winded response, but I'll keep it short.  Leave your bass gear at home if it's expensive.  Plain and simple this isn't bass fishing and there is no comparison to the fight.  I would suggest a mh rod 3-4000 reel and 30# braid, that should cover most fish under 15#, bigger jacks or tarpon you probably won't land, does take some acquired know how.   Don't need much in lures, flukes on a jig head, bucktails, spoons, don't need any thing else.  A little variety use a top lure.  As said rinse off your reel and rod.

I'm not sure what some of the responses are talking about...... but I routinely fish out of my kayak for all inshore species with bass gear. Now mind you. .... I cheapened it up some because I'm in a kayak and the threat of turtling and losing your stuff is a possibility. But as far as actual performance goes- there's very few inshore fish that you can not land with bass gear - a properly set drag, and some common sense. I have found that the easiest, hassle free reel for me is the old curado200. Its mostly plastic and the parts that aren't are quality. They're fairly expensive on eBay, but if you rinse them and maintain them- they will last for years and years. I carry three curados on berkley lightening rods- 7'mh (15lb yo zuri ultra soft)and one quantum incyte spinning reel (with braid)on a 7' inshore uglyatick for a popping cork. I have never felt under powered and that's with catching some very nice size (overslot) reds and black drum. Mack's and jacks and even tarpon are doable. Your biggest issue with say tarpon or cobia is going to be line capacity. They will spool you on a baitcaster fairly quick. Other than that...... for working topwater and jigs for trout, redfish, flounder and snook- bass rigs work just fine. A bone one knocker, a gold spoon, a 1/4oz jig with a 3-4"swimbait and a popping cork with a gulp shrimp on it will catch 99% of inshore fish. And they're delicious.

Edit: fwiw- in the next week or so, I'm actually going to go buy a 7'mh field and stream inferno and test it out in the salt/kayak. If it holds up- then ill replace the much heavier lightening rods with them.