Any tips on rigging and fishing a Kite?

[BYRD]

Just order an Aftco kite kit. Comes with light and medium spars. I have a dedicated kite rod with a 4/0. I have 2 release clips, and one yum bird. Does anyone have any slick tricks for kite fishing or rigging they would like to share?

[teddyp]

Just order an Aftco kite kit. Comes with light and medium spars. I have a dedicated kite rod with a 4/0. I have 2 release clips, and one yum bird. Does anyone have any slick tricks for kite fishing or rigging they would like to share?

Are you going to use live bait or troll with it? If you're going to troll with it it needs to be a pretty heavy weight kite. I know some guys use squids on them like they use on a green stick. I like to use Yummee Flying fish lures with the kite but I only did that a couple of times. I know guys put them up when they were daytime chunking for tuna. Let me know how it works.

You should remember to put the ceramic O rings on the main line of the bait rods as well so the line doesn't go through the kite rod clips.

[Glenn W]

Just order an Aftco kite kit. Comes with light and medium spars. I have a dedicated kite rod with a 4/0. I have 2 release clips, and one yum bird. Does anyone have any slick tricks for kite fishing or rigging they would like to share?

I'm no pro but have learned from many mistakes. First, be prepared that it is a PIA--- period. First time out only try flying kite going into the wind (or at a slight angle). Have a dedicated man on the kite rod full time. A 4/0 is on the small side but I guess you use what you got. Use heavier baid than you think you need. Keep your release clips farther apart than you think you need. Don't pull anything else but your kite lines. Be prepared to go fetch your downed kite a few times (hense the need for heavy line)--- don't try to pull it in by cranking , you will break the line and/or the kite). Keep your yummie or squid more out of the water than in the water. Don't even bother to try until you know tunas are feeding on the fliers and the fliers are thick. Don't try on sa slick calm or windy day--- about 7-10 kt breeze seems the easiest.
Did I memtion it's a PIA?---- sure is fun though.

[clt_capt]

Watching a kite bite is AWESOME - especially when the tuna/king/wahoo clears the water and takes the bait on the way down...

As Glenn says, they are a PIA... For those light and slight days, if I'm gonna be bottom fishing, we'll send up a helium balloon instead of a kite...

[tankerfly]

Hmm.... a helium balloon. Do you just tie it to the line and let 'er rip? Sounds like a lot ot fun. Do you bridle baits or use a king-type rig?

[clt_capt]

I tie the balloon to the kite rod and fish it just like a kite...

[BYRD]

Thanks for the input fellas. I appreciate it. Gonna be mostly used for live bait with a little trolling now and then. I fish mostly in the Chesapeake bay and I figure wile I was cruising around at 3-5 knots looking for Cobia that I would deploy the kite with a spot flopping under it. Thought I would get a few more hook ups possibly.

I was planning on 50lb braid, should I go higher? I thought to put the clips 30 yards apart. Is that safe or should I go further?

Not sure I follow about the o rings on the bait line though, can you be more specific?

Thanks

[teddyp]

Thanks for the input fellas. I appreciate it. Gonna be mostly used for live bait with a little trolling now and then. I fish mostly in the Chesapeake bay and I figure wile I was cruising around at 3-5 knots looking for Cobia that I would deploy the kite with a spot flopping under it. Thought I would get a few more hook ups possibly.

I was planning on 50lb braid, should I go higher? I thought to put the clips 30 yards apart. Is that safe or should I go further?

Not sure I follow about the o rings on the bait line though, can you be more specific?

Thanks

Thread your mono line through the O-ring. Then use the O-ring to clip into the release clip.

[weekender]

I do and would use 80# braid minimum.

[BYRD]

Thread your mono line through the O-ring. Then use the O-ring to clip into the release clip.

Gotcha. Thanks.

80 lb. it is then. Thanks