Do you remember the last time you flew a kite? Do you remember the last time you flew a kite AND went fishing? Kite fishing is one of the most effective methods of presenting bait to surface-feeding fish. Originating hundreds of years ago, the Polynesian people of the South Pacific are thought to be the first anglers to use kites where they would use them to carry their baits out past the breaking waves. These early kite fishing pioneers would use leaves and bones to fashion a kite that would have pieces of sharkskin hanging from a hook about 50’ from the kite. Once airborne, the kites would be let out until they were past the breaking waves and over deeper water where the larger fish would roam in search of food. When a fish would strike the bait, the kite would drop into the water and the fisherman would retrieve their catch by hand. In today’s modern times, the tackle used for kite fishing has evolved into a more user-friendly system that just about anyone can use. The great part about kite fishing is that you can do it anywhere. People use kites offshore to hang baits while fishing for sailfish and tuna, inshore while fishing over the flats, in lakes and ponds while bass fishing, and like the ancient Polynesians, from the beach while surf fishing.

Kite Rigging

When flying a fishing kite, it is best to fly the kite from a rod and reel so that it can be easily adjusted. Most kite rods are short, stubby rods that are about three feet long. For beginners, a large conventional reel spooled with Dacron line will do the trick. Most tackle shops will sell a “kite kit” that includes two barrel swivels, two release clips, and a snap swivel. The release clips have different size holes drilled into them to correspond with the different size barrel swivels. It is very important that you thread on the release clip with the larger pre-drilled holes first. This will allow the smaller barrel swivel to pass through the large clip first and engage the second clip, keeping your rig in order. When the clips are threaded on correctly, complete the kite line by tying on the snap swivel. This snap swivel is what connects your kite line to your kite.

Once you have your kite rod rigged and ready, you have to rig the rods that you are going to fish out of the kite. If you’re going to be kite fishing in the ocean (most common sailfish rig) you’ll need a few simple modifications to your normal tackle. Most times, a 20’ length of 60 lb mono is tied to the mainline as your leader. Before tying the tag end of your leader to a barrel swivel, thread on a ceramic ring, small egg sinker, a large and brightly colored float with the cup side facing downwards towards the hook, and lastly a small bead to act as a stopper in between the float and the barrel swivel that you will tie on after threading the bead. Once you tie off to the barrel swivel, take a 20”-24” piece of wire and attach one end to the open side of the barrel swivel and twist the other end to a 3/0-5/0 circle hook. The bright colored float is only on the line so that you can easily see where your bait is. You can substitute any type of line marker such as orange ribbon that would also provide visual contact.

If you are freshwater fishing, you won’t need much more than the bait rig you normally fish with. Add a split shot or two about three feet above the hook to give the line more weight to keep your live bait in the water. It is important to keep in mind that the line coming out of the release clip and bait must weigh more than the line coming off of your rod tip and going into the release clip on the kite. Most times you’ll be able to see your bait without any problems but if you need to, feel free to add a short piece of ribbon so you can easily get a visual on your bait.

Kite Fishing Applications

Right now you may be asking yourself, “Why would I fly a kite to catch a fish?”  One of the best reasons to use a kite while live bait fishing is that you can cover more area with your baits. While trolling along a weedline you can use a kite to present a bait on the opposite side of the weedline. You can also use a kite to fish over a shallow flat that your boat can’t safely get to.  If you’re freshwater fishing, a kite can make a live shiner dance in between lily pads without getting hung up.  Largemouth bass find this method irresistible. The second reason to fly a kite is the fluttering action that a bait will create while near the surface.  A properly rigged live bait will feel like it is being pulled out of the water and will constantly try to swim downwards to safety.  While the baitfish is trying to swim downwards, it will cause a commotion on the surface that will send out vibrations throughout the area. Larger predatory fish have special adaptations that can detect these vibrations from hundreds of yards away.  A struggling baitfish at the water’s surface is like ringing the dinner bell.  Lastly, hanging a bait from a kite keeps the hook and leader almost entirely out of the water so that only the baitfish can easily be seen by the fish you’re targeting.  Leader-shy fish like tunas and lunker bass are much less likely to notice your terminal tackle and strike your bait  without hesitation. 

The Payoff

One of the most exciting parts of kite fishing is watching a fish strike your bait. If you watch your bait closely, you can almost predict a strike by watching how the bait fish is behaving. If you notice your bait trying to swim much harder than it had been or if it is jumping and in full panic mode, keep watching closely and get ready to man the rod. Sometimes the bait may be quick enough to avoid being captured right away but this will only cause the fish chasing the bait to get even more agitated and strike more aggressively. Once the fish does take the bait, the force of the fish will cause the release clip on the kite to open, releasing your line from the kite.

Because your baits will be hanging from the kite, it is perfectly fine if they are not fully submerged in the water 100% of the time. Baits that dip in and out of the water will create even more of a commotion and bring more attention to themselves—which will call in the game fish. To many anglers, the most spectacular fish strike comes from a fish taking a kite bait that is out of the water. Watching a predatory fish like a sailfish or largemouth bass jump out of the water to strike a bait suspended just over the surface is like watching something straight out of a movie. Witnessing the agility, power and persistence of these game fish is something that you will not soon forget.

Kite fishing is something that may seem difficult at first but with a little wind and some patience, it can be something that will bring a whole new dimension and sense of excitement to the sport you love. So get outdoors to give it a shot and next time someone tells you to go fly a kite, ask them for some bait!