Kite form a downrigger?

[birdhunter]

I know it sounds strange but I bought a kite and was looking at kite rod and reel set ups when I thought to myself.....Could it be run from my downrigger? Just hear me out, I have a Penn 625 that is spooled with 200lb braid and has the swivel base rod holder mount on it. Could I make a lenght of braid that has the clips and swivels on it that I attach one end to the kite and one end to the braid on the downrigger and fly it from a gunnel rod holder as we troll for tuna. Don't laugh just think about it for a minute.

[sjogren]

Any heavy reel can be used. I've used kites a few times to hold up 5-6lb blues, no sweat. The reel has to be strong enough to winch in the kite on windy days, ya can't " pump" the rod to get the kite back. I use a Penn #80
and just turn the handle to bring it down. I made the mistake of using bass
reel-113H and really had to work to get the red kite back. The bass reel would work on the white and maybe yellow.-- Bob Lewis kites--

[burricane]

i think your problem is going to be in launching the kite off of a downrigger. retrieval would be pretty easy. if you are going to do it that way, take a glass ring and a bungee cord, then pin the glass ring off of the first eyelet on your outrigger. that way it has a better angle to launch. that's the setup we use when we fly two kites for sails. if you do it that way you'll have to use the "pinch-on" clips instead of the pre-positioned ones. i think it can be done, but there's a reason i prefer penn senator 113hs.

[wauwinet]

It will have to be awfully windy to get the ball in the air.

[Younger]

It will be in the way when you are fighting a fish. No way to move it.

[shoefish]

I have just started to gain experience with the kite this year, so take this one with a grain of salt, but I think that one of the things that is nice about having a mobile kite rod is that you can take it and move it around, and up out of the way when you want to. I think that having that fixed position may make things difficult if the wind changes or is in a direction that it will be pulling the kite line across the transom. I think Burricane is right too when he says that it may be difficult to launch it from there- I don't know what kind of boat you have, but I have had to occasionally go up to the tower with the kite rod to launch from time to time. It's an interesting thought though- let us know how you do with it if you try it.

[birdhunter]

I understand the issue with mobility put the down rigger has the attachment that allows it to be set in a standard rod holder and it has the base that can be swiveled 360 deg. Might play with it but will probably just buy the rod and reel.

[reel fishy]

Suck it up and buy a kite rod and reel, they are not that expensive. Bass Pro has a kite rod for $40-$60 and a 114H is $115. Hit up some local tackle or pawn shops, you might find an old reel that could be used for cheap. Forget trying to make it work with items already on your boat. Yes, you can use your downrigger to launch and retrieve the kite. But for that matter you could use a Cuban yo-yo reel, so the question is would this be the correct device for the job. Having a rod/reel with the ability to be moved quickly is key when fighting multiple fish. As mentioned previously the downrigger is not the appropriate tool for this. If fishing from an equipped center console it is nice to move the kite forward to the bow during a fight, doing that and using a bulky and heavy downrigger could be difficult. As with anything learn to do it the right way first then adjust to fit your particular fishing style. I have been kite fishing for a while and learn new ways to improve the way it is done all the time. I have had the privilege to be on boats with some of the best in the business in South Florida kite fishing. Good luck with your kite. Hope you don't have a heart condition, some of the strikes you will get could make it stop.

[Kahi]

I think it could work, as I've seen some local Florida guys use their electric reels for double duty. On the manual crank version downriggers, it make work also. The hardest part will be to get the kite into the wind form down low around the gunnels. Maybe try a a running start, but overall I would think that a dedicated outfit always would work better.

[birdhunter]

Reel Fishy I agree with you I will probably buy the reel. Just throwing out ideas that is what is so great about this site.