First off, freshwater fishing is less commitment; you can get there when you want and leave when you want (which for me is still before sunrise until after sundown :-P).
Freshwater is also less expensive as you can shore fish if you'd like or possibly rent a boat if it's in your budget. Ocean fishing on a boat is more of an event, and unless you know someone with a boat, you'll need to save some money and plan a charter trip to get out there.
The biggest difference for me and my area though, is that ocean fishing allows me to go after some really, really, big fish. To me, this is completely worth the cost and effort put into these trips! Who wouldn't want to fill their freezer with some giant yellowtail or some ahi?
