Conference wahoo::fishing-v2

    
    
        Kelly,
    
     Do I understand that 1) A "kite" is a particular breed of fish?
      
                          2) You are considering combining a wind
                             driven "kite" and putting a hook on it
                             to catch fish?
    
                          3) Could this be some kind of diving rig
                             to put your bait at a particular depth
                             while trolling or retrieving your lure?
    
       I think it would make a great side planer. Nothing in the water
    
       to spook the fish, just a lure 100 ft. off each side of the boat.
    
                                                Jeff

    re: last
    
    	I believe it involves using a kite to keep a bait near the surface
    	when trolling. Technique used for billfish I think.
    
    				Robert.

 Kites can be used from a boat or from shore. They are used to put a bait
(normally a live fish) away from the boat, usually right at the surface.
This technique is used frequently in warm water regions for sailfish and
other billfish.

 It's a big square kite on a heavy string which has a rigger clip (or two)
hanging from it. You send the kite out, hanging the baitfish so it is just
barely in the water. The bait struggles and slaps the water, attracting
predators. I've often wondered if this technique could be adapted for
live bait fishing for giant tuna.

    I chartered a boat in Florida that used the Kite. We ended up catching
    two Hammer Head Sharks with the kite. It was the most exciting fishing
    I have ever done.
    
    The kite was flown off of the outrigger with the bait fish slapping the
    top of the water. The mate was in the tower scanning the surface while
    myself or one of my partners occupied the chair. It just so happened 
    that I was in the chair when the mate screamed "SHARK". At the time
    those fins protruding from the water looked like they were 5' high.
    Suddenly a huge splash occured, the kite came screaming down and the
    captain put it in drive.
    
    45 minutes later we landed our first Hammer Head. 7.5' long. We later
    landed a second shark about 6'. 
    
    This is real surface fishing.
    
    Bob m.

    I caught my first (and only) sailfish using the kite about 12 years ago
    on a party boat in Miami.
    
    We were drift fishing for kingfish on one side of the boat while the
    crew had a kite and a live blue runner going off the other (leeward)
    side. The mate shouted "Sail!" and we all reeled in and ran over to the
    other side. 
    
    The sailfish was beating the blue runner with his bill before eating
    the bait. He took it, swam away with it and the rigger clip released.
    The mate asked if anyone wanted the rod and I didn't hesitate. 20
    minutes later a 40 lb sailfish was in the boat.
    
    I agree with the previous reply -- it's an exciting way to fish,
    especially when you can see your quarry take the bait and run. It's
    also a very natural way to present a live bait.
    
    I believe you can buy the kites mail order from a variety of places
    including Offshore Angler or from the classified ads in Salt Water
    Sportsman magazine. 
    
    Art
    

	This kite fishing technique is used from shore to pull the 
	bait out beyond surfcasting range. 

	There are several rigs outlined in the catalog; the simplest 
	to describe is the 30 hook bottom long line rig.  This rig 
	is used for fishing over clear - snag free bottoms.  The 
	following illustrates the system: 

	The rig uses a single line kite with 110 meters of 48 kg 
	kiteline.  Attached to the kite line is a flag set above 
	the water line and a float (a plastic jug).  At a point below 
	the float is attached 1000 m of 100 kg mono fishing 
	line called the mainline.  There are 70 brass crimps (stoppers) 
	attached to the mainline.  Eight crimps are placed 5 m apart 
	starting below the float.  These are used to attach weights, 
	that hold the line at or near the bottom.  Following along 
	the bottom are 62 brass crimps attached 3 m apart.  The hooks 
	are attached to 1 m of 27 kg mono that connects to a No 3 
	swivel which is connected to a 'sea harvester' clip (this 
	assembly is called a trace).  The each trace is attached 
	between the crimps for a total of 30 traces.  The fish picks 
	up the baited hook and runs with it, and when the running 
	clip strikes the crimp the hook is firmly set.  The remaining 
	line is attached to a shore based reel.  The reel has a 3:1 
	ratio and is secured on the beach with a galvanized steel post. 

	
							Kelly

    I was cleaning up some old issues of Salt Water Sportsman magazine and
    found an article in the July 1992 issue about kite fishing. Shows how
    to rig the kite and the bait.
    
    If anyone is interested, I could make copies. Just send me mail at
    NEMAIL::GREENBERG.
    
    Art