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I'm looking for some suggestions on kite fishing stuff... I need a kite, rod, and reel and kite holder of some sort I suppose and some other stuff too that I probably don't even know about. Basically, I have nothing and want to try it. Help me get outfitted.
All I can say is if you are really serious and planning to kite fish a lot, invest in an electric reel as it will make the process much easier. I suggest something like the Kristal 601.
For a Kite, I'd start with a medium wind Bob Lewis Kite Hunter kite. I'd also have a light wind kite available. SFE Kites are also widely popular. I would not go with an AFTCO kite. They are too limited in the conditions under which they will fly.
Proper care of a kite will last you for years. When you dunk one, and it will happen, move the boat to the kite, do not try to pull the kite to the boat, it will break the spars and sting. Some people tie a small party balloon on the back of the kite to keep it floating when it goes down. After recovering it, rinse it off with fresh water and let it dry. They will not fly wet!
For a reel, if you are just starting, an old Penn 4/0 113H is a good start, but eventually you will want to go to an electric. I started with the 113 and eventually mated it with an Electramate. Cranking in a kite is hard. A lot of people are using the Kristal reels. For a kite rod, any old bottom rod, cut off to about 3'-3.5' if you can find a tip to fit will do. You will want a gimble on the but to fit into a rod holder to keep it from twisting. Or you can purchase a kite rod, they are not that expensive considering the other expenses related to getting started in kite fishing.
You will need some (a pair) of blacks release clips. It's not real hard to set up this string and clips, but one of the clips has to be drilled out and the swivels used to tie the kite string need to be different sizes so one will pass thru the hole you drill out. Easier to just buy the whole Lewis kites rigging set-up until you see how it's done.
Your fishing outfits should be a fast retrieve reel on a 7' fast action rod. I use Shimano TLD 20's on custom built ugly stick rods rated for 20 - 40. I load the reels with 20#.
You will also need some line markers. These are basically the old popping corks or styrofoam floats in different colors to make it easier to differentiate the lines at a distance. They sit on the swivel above your leader which is 10'-15' above your bait and slide on the fishing line. Put them on the line so the narrow end points to the reel.
While they are not necessary, a trident is a nice thing to have, especially from a small boat. This fits into a rod holder and holds the kite rod plus your two fishing rods.
Also not necessary but nice to have when you get into serious kite fishing are 30" balloons and a helium tank. They are used in very light wind conditions when there is not enough surface wind to launch a kite.
If you need a "one stop shop" for your kite fishing needs, I'd contact Capt Harry's Fishing Supply in Miami. Kite fishing is a south Florida staple and they carry everything.
If you're starting out with a manual reel, I'd get a Penn 114H. It's got a slightly lower gear ratio than the 113H and you can still buy an electric power adapter for it later. I'm buying the adapter for my 113H in a short while.
I agree mostly with Jack, except for the kite. The Aftco kite flies great in most wind conditions, and you get light and medium spars with the kite. Sometimes the Aftco doesn't fly in very heavy winds, but my experience with Aftco has been much better than the Bob Lewis kite that did not work well for me. Also, if the Aftco kite gets wet, no problem getting it back in the air.
Also, 114H reel will work fine. I don't use an electric and we never have problem getting the kite in.
My best friend from college is in Pompano Bch, FL. His two cousins won the Yamaha Contender Miami Billfish tournament, and last year set a new state record on max no. of sail released. All they do is kite fish. They have the hookup on this sh** down there.
If you want I can get you the complete setup at a discounted price.
It will come ready to go out of the box with 3 clips on the main line, rod, reel and two kites. Ready to fish.
This is a favor from me to you since you are in Louisiana.
Shoot me a pm if you are interested. Maybe I'll get one too.
Whether you use the kite for drift fishing or trolling, the kites will vary.
The best kites for trolling are parabolic kites. Those are the small cousins of the kites Kite Boarders use. Kittty Hawk Kits in Nags Head, NC carries them. If I remember correctly, the correct sizes for trolling are 5 and 7-1/2.
I replaced the cheap brass snap swivel with a 60# ball bearing swivel. A kite rod can be either made from a broken rod or you can buy one for $60 or so. My kite reel is a Penn Senator 114H loaded with 50# mono with a 300 yard top shot of 65# braid. There is no need for an electric kite reel until you get really experienced with a kite. You likely are not in the boat by yourself anyway.
The websites for drift kites tell you how to set up the kite line with the releases. Trolling kite lines normally only need 1 release but you can put 2 on the line so it can serve double duty when chunking, etc.
The bait of choice is a Yummee Flying Fish. The idea is to have the bait just "dap" the water as you troll. It should not drag in the water all of the time.
You have to pay attention when you troll using a kite. The kite can fly pretty close to the wind but I try to always stay 30 degrees off either side of directly downwind. The idea is to zig zag back and forth across the wind as you work upwind. Your baits on your trolling rods will stay pretty much behind the boat. The kite bait will be way downwind of the boat and hardly ever is directly behind the boat in the wake so it is always in "fresh" water.
The net result of trolling with a kite is the same as using a green stick.
__________________
Capt. Lindsay Fuller
June Bug Charters
Beach Haven, NJ
IGFA Certified Charter Captain
Member - Beach Haven Charter Fishing Association
Member - Ducks Unlimited
Member - IGFA
Member - NCMC
Member - TBF
Life Member - RFA & NRA
that's about most of what you'll need to get started. great way to fish.
Above is the best response you got.
Don't wast your time without a electric reel. Don't screw with a crap electric reel (I use a 601 Krystal). Don't waste your time without a 12-15 ft sea anchor (the Paratech 9fter is too small). Don't buy that Bob lewis line clip settup, do it like stated above with powerpro (I use 80lb instead of 65, either is correct), I like the SFE kites. I also like the clips that have little wire hangers that turn the clip 90 degrees from what the more common non hanger types provide.
Kite fishing is great when made easy by using all the right stuff. Instead of cursing the wind, you'll be praying for wind. And you'll be more comfortable than you ever were before. Not to mention not having to listen to engines all day.
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AKA, The SKIMMER! No way am I reading all that crap!
I just fished the BillFishbowl Sailfish Tournament in the keys and learned alot ---I am an amateur sailfisherman, but have caught sails using manual reels and have now turned the corner to using electrics since getting into competitive sailfishng. The above info is great. All I would add is: 1) the electric reel is important---you should look for one that can LET LINE OUT as well as RETRIEVE the line electrically. It is a PIA to do either, most of the older electrics only retrieve(Electramate smaller red one's). The electric reels help fly the kite, allowing for ease of use with up to three clips---a manual would be very difficult to do three. Alot of top captain's are using the DAIWA dendoah electrics. 2) Also, make sure that the Rod has a long butt. On my boat the rodholders are heavy duty Lee's (Swording) and when I put an electric short butt rod in them, the electric reel hits the top of the rod holder. Soooo make sure that there is enough butt to have the electric reel sit up comfortably. 3) I have the Kristal plugin's (Purple/grey) and they have a two-prong plugin for power on each side---THEY ARE CRAP! I would get MARINCO plugins (Yellow/white) for electrical plugin on each side of the boat and up front. 4) Get enough battery power to juice these things up!
I just fished the BillFishbowl Sailfish Tournament in the keys and learned alot ---I am an amateur sailfisherman, but have caught sails using manual reels and have now turned the corner to using electrics since getting into competitive sailfishng. The above info is great. All I would add is: 1) the electric reel is important---you should look for one that can LET LINE OUT as well as RETRIEVE the line electrically. It is a PIA to do either, most of the older electrics only retrieve(Electramate smaller red one's). The electric reels help fly the kite, allowing for ease of use with up to three clips---a manual would be very difficult to do three. Alot of top captain's are using the DAIWA dendoah electrics. 2) Also, make sure that the Rod has a long butt. On my boat the rodholders are heavy duty Lee's (Swording) and when I put an electric short butt rod in them, the electric reel hits the top of the rod holder. Soooo make sure that there is enough butt to have the electric reel sit up comfortably. 3) I have the Kristal plugin's (Purple/grey) and they have a two-prong plugin for power on each side---THEY ARE CRAP! I would get MARINCO plugins (Yellow/white) for electrical plugin on each side of the boat and up front. 4) Get enough battery power to juice these things up!
I dont know of an electric reel that lets line out for you. I agree that the daiwa tanacom bull seems to be the reel of choice, but it doesnt let the line out for you.
your right about the checking the butt size. especially with the electric reels to make sure that the back of the reel doesnt hit the gunnel.
You're the first person I have heard that has complained about the krystal plugs. what problems have you had with them?
and definitely gotta keep the power supply up.
__________________ REMEMBER SOME PEOPLE ARE ALIVE SIMPLY BECAUSE IT IS ILLEGAL TO SHOOT THEM.
The kristal plugs have two prongs that are metal (Bronze maybe). The female end has holes for them to go in (obviously)...I have hit my plugs with dialectric grease, scrubbed with wire brush and all and they have to be wiggled to turn on at times. This is happening on each side of the boat. Imagine having hookup in rough seas and then when you go to bring in the kite, you get no power to it and have to get to the plugin at the gunnel and wiggle it on. Talking about this:
As far as retrieval...I think one of the daiwa's has a retrieval feature or maybe I'm thinking of jigging feature or computerized line retrieval and certain feet.....
interesting - sorry your having issues with the plugs. Have you checked the back side of the plug to make sure a wire isnt lose or the inside of the male end?
Your right about the diawa's having auto retrieve and stop features. you can set them to reel in the kite and auto stop at the longest clip or have the kite stop just shy of the boat.
__________________ REMEMBER SOME PEOPLE ARE ALIVE SIMPLY BECAUSE IT IS ILLEGAL TO SHOOT THEM.
I have been using the Krystal plug on mine since I bought the Krystal about 10 or so years ago. Although I have had to wiggle the plug a few times at the beggining of the day to get it to go, that is the only isue I have had. Once I get it going, it has never died the rest of the day. And it only happens once in a great while. It probably is best to use another plug, but I havn't gotten screwed by it yet. My Krystal has been rock solid for years. I also have a kite rod with a full aftco aluminum butt. Super heavy duty. Those cheap kite rods wear out.
I don't see the point in electric letting it out. The Krystal has a lever drag, and simply setting it so the kite slowly drags line off the reel works great. The benefits of electric are many. If you try hand cranking, you will not be nearly as effective. You will probably come home frustrerated with a wet kite. I can easily say, don't even waste your time. Get a electric and save yourself from knowing all the great points electric has over hand cranking. Sadly I know them, as I was a hand cranker for a very short while.
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AKA, The SKIMMER! No way am I reading all that crap!
I can easily say, don't even waste your time. Get a electric and save yourself from knowing all the great points electric has over hand cranking. Sadly I know them, as I was a hand cranker for a very short while.
Me thinks your still a hand cranker...... Sorry couldn't resist...
Kite Fishing Equipment
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I'm buying the adapter for my 113H in a short while.
Sorry couldn't resist...
