Mono-filament or fluorocarbon are attached to a fishing reel’s main line with a neon-colored Styrofoam marker about the diameter of your forefinger, with a snap swivel. The diagrams below depict what this looks like. When multiple kites are flowen, anglers place small weights on the edge of each kite to control the direction they want to fly and prevent them from crossing over each other. As many as three baits are suspended below each kite. Helium balloons are used in light wind to help support the kite.Įach kite’s line has one or more release clips, like those used on outriggers, strung at intervals along the kite line and each clip is assigned to a rod and reel. Also, pulling a kite that’s ten feet underwater back to your boat is a big challenge, so some captains attach a small party balloon to the back side of their kite to keep it afloat to save precious minutes while retrieving it during a tournament. We suggest you carry an assortment of kites to accomodate different wind speeds and because you will need another if the kite line breaks and you lose your kite to Davy Jone's locker. Kites vary in size and weight to accommodate light to heavy winds. Electric reels are often employed, since reeling in a kite producing 15-20 pounds pressure can be tiresome. Anglers fly kites with 50-, 80- or 100-pound Spectra or Dacron line connected to a stubby rod and a powerful reel. Kite Fishing Equipmentįishing kites are square and typically have a carbon-graphite frame across which is stretched rip-stop nylon fabric. Experienced anglers multiply their chances of catching fish by flying up to three kites-each with up to three baits suspended beneath it-for a total of up to nine baits in the water.

Bob figured out the advantages of using a kite-keeping the wiggly live bait swimming attractively just below the surface with the heavier leader line hanging vertically above the bait and out of the water, less likely to spook wary predators.

Since fishing icon Bob Lewis introduced kite fishing to billfish anglers in South Florida, its popularity has grown immensely. Invented in China, long practiced in New Guinea and other Pacific Islands, kite fishing enables off-the-beach surf anglers to deploy lines and hooks out past the breakers.

Is it hang gliding for baits, kite-sailing for greenies? Nope, it’s kite fishing, and it’s a great way to deploy live baits for tuna, marlin, sailfish and other predator game fish.

Dacron line kite fishing