In the second part of this series we’ll discuss the ins-
and-outs of kite fishing equipment, as well as provide
a how-to guide outlining the details that will help you
become an expert kite angler.AN EXPERT’S PERSPECTIVE
In the game fishing world there are few captains with
more knowledge of kite fishing than ‘Bouncer’ Smith,
who runs the aptly named Bouncer’s Dusky 33 centre-
console on the competitive game fishing grounds off
Miami, Florida. Bouncer is a respected gamefishing
educator and holds numerous world records and
accolades, including inauguration into the IGFA’s
Legendary Captains and Crews.
Bouncer is intimately familiar with the development
of kite game fishing. He recalls when the late Bob
Lewis perfected the technique for catching sailfish off
South Florida in the 1940s. Lewis went on to create
the first commercial fishing kite, with Lewis Kites still
an industry leader today.
Day in and day out, Bouncer and his crew drift over
the productive grounds using kites to deliver more
results for their clients. He says that using a kite
doubles the width of his effective fishing
ground, enabling him to simultaneously
cover downwind of the boat with his kite
baits, as well as upwind with baits set
under floats or free-lined out behind the
drifting boat.
Bouncer recommends the kite technique as
the most effective weapon for surface-feeding
gamefish. Over the coming series I’ll show you
how to set up your own system and increase your
catch, particularly whenever the fish get wary.DEADLY EFFECTIVE
The greatest advantage of a fishing kite is that it
removes all line and tackle up out of the water,
keeping it away from the eyes of predators. All they
see is a lively, struggling baitfish. The key is to use
a livebait hearty enough to stay active for extended
periods of time under the kite, but not so large that
the kite struggles to stay aloft under their weight.
Kites are most commonly used to catch sailfish, but
any gamefish that feeds at the surface can be targeted
with this technique, especially notoriously leader-shy
species such as tuna. Other species renowned for
being turned on by surface splashing – especially
yellowtail kingfish, GTs and mackerel – also make
excellent targets for a game fishing kite.
When the wind and current are favourable, use a
kite while drifting along a stretch of reef, or along a
current line or drop-off. This keeps your bait in the
strikezone for a much longer period, ensuring the fish
have ample time to find your offering.
In heavy wind, a sea anchor can be used to slow down
the drift, which ideally lasts at least an hour. Once a
drift is over, the kite can then be retrieved and the boat
repositioned before starting the process again.
Slow trolling, or bump-trolling, is also effective. This
is the preferred tactic for larger vessels, particularly
those limited to kite fishing from the stern. Large
vessels with a flybridge can block the wind and
create strange wind tunnels, which makes it more
challenging to launch a kite unless the captain assists
by positioning the boat to give ‘clean’ wind to the
cockpit during the launch. Once in position, the
engines can then be bumped in and out of gear to hold
the boat over the hotspot.
“The
greatest
advantage
of a fishing
kite is that
it removes
all line and
tackle up out
of the water.”
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