![]() But ballyhoo, Jimbo says, aren’t particularly good for kite baits. Just in case, Rick cast-netted a good batch of ballyhoo. Small grunts, that were abundant, not so much those went back over the side. But Rick gladly shook off into the well other species that we caught, notably goggle-eyes (scads), cigar minnows, pilchards and small blue runners. Those, Jimbo says, are the bait of choice for most everything. But over time, we managed, with quite a few large herring. With bait scarce, we couldn’t keep Rick as busy unhooking live baits into the baitwell as we would have liked. We stopped around markers in 15 or so feet of water, and all hands were quickly on deck to drop sabiki rigs. We spent at least a couple of hours running from spot to spot trying to find the baitfish that, just a couple of days ago, had been thick. There are days when getting enough good live baits can be more difficult than getting gamefish bites, and this was one of those. Catching bait is often the first order of business- or you might buy it from this guy. Joining me were Floridians Paul Macinnis, a keen angler of Merritt Island, Jason Arnold of Ft. To say the Thomas brothers are experienced at this would be an understatement since they’ve been taking anglers out to catch gamefish off Miami since 1981, the year Jimbo acquired the Thomas Flyer. Jimbo and his bro (literally, his bro) Rick-who would be our first and only mate-were on board the Thomas Flyer, a highly customized 42-foot Post, at Bayside Marina in downtown Miami at 6:30 a.m. Jimbo says best sailfishing months used to be January, February and March, but a changing climate has meant April and May nowadays can be at least as good. But our visit in May put us in a peak period. This wind was more easterly, but still, any wind can produce, if not sails then other pelagics. In fact, a stiff wind is widely associated with Florida sailfish action, particularly in the winter and spring, when out of the north. FIRST CHALLENGE: CATCHING LIVIES Prime kite baits ready for the taking. I couldn’t see that would be a problem on this trip. Anyone who’s ever been told to “Go fly a kite” knows it takes a decent breeze, at the least, to get that piece of fabric up and keep it up. ![]() Jimbo Thomas aboard his Thomas Flyer ( Charter Boat Thomas Flyer On the second day it blew a puffy 20 to 25. But a foray to blue water off Miami last May called for wind, and wind we got.įor our first day out, we had a manageable 15 or so knots. It’s just so easy and comfortable, and life at the ocean’s surface is so visible. And with the right equipment, and a perfect Florida day, kite fishing could be your new favorite way to bring in the big ones.I confess that I’m fond of calm-weather fishing. Kite fishing in Florida allows for creativity and ingenuity, two things that many anglers crave. Rodholders will also be essential for successful kite fishing, and it’s best if they’re close together since you’ll need one for the kite rod as well as the fishing rod. Though it may seem pricey at first, an electric reel can be a great asset for kite fishing due in part to the amount of time you will spend reeling in line. At its most basic level, kite fishing uses a square kite attached to a short rod and reel.Įxperienced kite fishermen may want to customize their riggings depending on the effect they’re going for, but a standard kit should be enough to get a novice going on this exciting sport. Specialty equipment for kite fishing in Florida has become much more widely available, and any well-stocked outfitter or tackle store should have a basic kite fishing system. Originally invented in China and practiced worldwide, kite fishing has become increasingly popular off the Florida coast.īeginners will benefit from starting out with the right equipment and cooperative weather – a little bit of wind but not too much (10-15 knots is ideal). Two kites, with three baits dangling from each kite, makes for a lot of bait in the water with minimal effort – always a bonus for dedicated anglers. The kite keeps the bait carefully suspended just below the surface without extra line hanging in the water to spook skittish fish. Ultimately, kite fishing is an effective method of delivering bait to predatory fish like tuna, marlin and sailfish, though it can be used inshore as well. If you’re looking to try your hand at a different technique for bringing in the fish, kite fishing in Florida may be exactly what you need. Though it may be hard for some anglers to imagine, there could come a time where you get a little tired of the standard rod and reel. Kite fishing is quickly gaining steam in Florida waters as a popular way to reel in such species as tuna, marlin and sailfish.
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