How to Kite Fish From the Beach
Kite fishing is a type of sport fishing that is used to go after big gamefish such as sharks, bluefin and sailfish. Popularized on the east coast of Florida, kite fishing is gaining in popularity worldwide. This style of fishing is geared to go after gamefish that feed on the surface of the water. Most bait fished from shore or a pier sink to the bottom or well below the surface. With the right bait and proper technique, a day of kite fishing can be a successful one.
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Things You'll Need
- Kite
- Kite rod
- Ring guides
- Roller top
- Kite reel
- Kite line
- Release clips
- Leader line
- Fish hooks
- Live bait
Instructions
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Choose a windy day --- preferably with a strong offshore breeze to help keep the kite in the air. Set up your kite --- any style of kite will do as long as it is heavy duty. Choose a kite that is specifically meant to be used for fishing, if possible.
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2
Choose a kite rod with strong ring guides and a roller top. The guides should be wide enough to allow everything to flow through them easily. The roller top will help keep the ring guides from breaking.
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3
Load a kite reel with strong, yet thin line. If you are going to be utilizing braided line, choose between a 30- to 80-pound braid. For monofilament, choose a 50-pound test line --- higher for extremely windy days.
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4
Add release clips to attach your bait. Use one release clip for every 25 to 40 feet of line you plan to let out. Use smaller release clips closer to the kite. Attach live bait to each release clip. Attach leader line to the release clips.
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5
Use live bait. Determine what type of fish you are trying to catch or are biting that day. Attach the bait to the hook, making sure to keep the bait fish alive. Start in the middle of the bait fish's back and have the hook come out of the top of the head. This will force the bait fish to keep diving under water to breathe, creating a lot of movement.
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6
Release your kite. Try to stay in one place as the kite will provide all of the necessary movement. Periodically reel in the kite to check on the baits and replace any that have been lost, died or bitten. Set the hook and reel in any catches as you would in any other style of fishing.
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Tips & Warnings
A windy day is crucial. Kite fishing on a variably windy day will have you fishing your kite out of the water more often than actually fishing.
References
- Photo Credit Creatas/Creatas/Getty Images
