It’s all the rage in Kiwi-land. It catches fish – BIG fish like nothing else you’ve ever tried. It is so unique you’ll say, “I never would have thought of that”. What’s all the talk about? A technique that can get you more and BIGGER fish than ever before, that's what. And here it is ...

Flying a kite.

“Excuse me?”

Yep. You read it right. Along the coasts of New Zealand, surrounding small islands and portions of Australia as well, savvy fishermen are using – you got it – none other than kites to hook not only more fish, but much bigger fish. The technique is “childishly” simple in concept. From the beach you attach a multi-hook dropper rig to a three foot or larger wingspan kite. The line comes back down to your rod and reel. Winds carry the kite and your rig out far beyond the distance you’d ever be able to cast. From the shore you can fish anywhere from 500 yards to a half mile or more out. The waters at that distance from shore will be considerably deeper than you would otherwise reach. The baited multi-hook rig will now rest in water more than deep enough for the “big ones” to come into play.

The Results

Results are startlingly simple. From your dry beach outpost, you can haul in full deep-sea species from monster Red Snappers to Tuna to sharks. The larger the kite or the stronger the prevailing winds, the more weight or greater rig load the kite can “pull” offshore. Rigs can range from three to 25 or more hooks. Steerable kites allow you to tack and guide the kite in winds from varying directions.

“When I saw my bright red kite start to do a hoochie-coochie dance up and down a couple of hundred yards or so offshore, I knew I had something big”, commented a lady fisherman from England who was on an extended holiday to Auckland, New Zealand.

At first you’ll have to experiment a bit to get the right combination of weight and rig size for the kite and winds where you fish. Soon you’ll get the hang of it, and be flying high. There are a few commercial firms which manufacture fishing kites that can supply you with everything you’ll need pre-packaged. You could also work up your own rig combinations from local suppliers. It’s even possible to kite fish from a boat, kayak or pier. Don’t limit yourself to the ocean either. A large river or lake may make suitable “kite flying” grounds too. Be sure to check local fishing regulations.

Anyway you tackle it; kite fishing is a unique twist to an age old sport. And me? I’ve taken my new kite and gone fishing.

Prof Larry M. Lynch is a bi-lingual copywriter, expert author and photographer specializing in business, travel, food and education-related writing in South America. His work has appeared in Transitions Abroad, South American Explorer, Escape From America, Mexico News and Brazil magazines. He lives in Cali, Colombia, fishes the South American Pacific coast, Amazon and Orinoco River basins for exotic salt water and fresh water game and food fish. For no-obligation information on how to get original, exclusive Exotic fishing stories, fishing technique articles, fishing-action photography and one-of-a-kind content for your fishing-related newsletter, blog or website contact him today at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com for a free, action photo-packed, South American fishing adventure article.

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