Slammin Sharks on the kite: A wintertime secret

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Written by Chase Cornell

 

The winter season can be extremely frustrating to Florida anglers that don't have access to a big offshore boat. If your a middle class, weekend warrior like me, it's easy to get discouraged by reports of record breaking numbers of sailfish releases on the tournament circuit. Trust me, I am a dreamer, praying for a weather forecast that might let me ease my 20 Mako out to that unmistakeable Gulf Stream water and tangle with spindle beaks, dolphin and wahoo. I constantly find myself wondering where in the world I can find drag pull. It is always around this time of year that I decide I can't take it anymore and pound through steep waves and freezing spray, ending up cold, frustrated and often times... skunked.

I am not sure when it was; sometime last year, when I caught an episode of "The Saltwater Experience," with Capt. Tom Rowland and Capt. Rich Tudor. The thing I really admire about their show is that they offer some really innovative ideas for us common-folk fisherman in small boats. Anyways, in the show they were anchored up in a pass, the wind was howling, and they were flying a kite for sharks. I could not believe it, the sharks were destroying their offerings. This is when I had my winter-time epiphany.

As the cold fronts methodically roll off the east coast week after week, we endure blunt force NE winds and groundswell. However, there is almost always one day after the storm passes over when we get strong west winds. The waters in the Stream are still out of the question, but the beach is flat calm. I started to take advantage of these brief windows of calm water off the beach to chase sharks with the kite.

Catching Bait:

There are two easy ways to get the live bait you will need to entice the sharks off the beach. I normally start my morning in the back country, pancaking my big net for mullet, jacks and ladyfish. Find a cut with deep water and look for mullet flipping on the surface.

The second and easiest way to get fresh live bait is to hit the surf. I always bring an arsenal of light rods rigged with Crocodile Spoons, Gotcha Plugs, Goofy Jigs and Top Waters. There are an abundance of jacks, spanish mackerel and blue fish along our beaches this time of year and they are all ideal baits for hungry sharks.

Finding the Fish:

The same tactics used to pursue gamefish apply for sharks. Keep your eyes peeled for diving birds, thrashing bait and of course, jumping fish. Spinner sharks are a dead give away when they launch out of the water. Set up your drift or anchor in areas of high activity and the sharks are sure to show up.

 

 

Flying the Kite:

The amount of wind will dictate the amount of baits that can be flown from a kite. In high winds, three baits can be flown off one kite line, but in low wind scenarios, I am almost always fishing one bait at a time. When fishing for sharks off the kite, you are usually using a large bait and the weight of the bait affects the flight of the kite as well.

My favorite bait on the kite is a live jack or blue runner because they are hard swimmers and make for awesome bites. I recommend a 6/0 to 9/0 long shank Mustad hook. When a shark is fired up and inhales an offering from the kite, the long shank hook will reduce broken leaders from bite shock. From the hook I run a few feet of #8 twist wire to a 130lb Sampo swivel. From the swivel there is around ten feet of 80-100lb mono connected to a snap swivel below the kite float (used to identify the line and position of the bait below). Use a stainless ring above the float to connect the line to the clip on the kite line.

Let the kite line and your bait out at the same speed until you have the desired distance away from the boat. Lock down the kite line and come tight on your bait until it is defenselessly dangling on the surface. When a shark eats it will often pull the bait out of the clip, the most important thing is to reel tight. There will be some slack when the clip pops, keep reeling and lift the tip to get a good hook set.

 

Do not let the cold season get you down. There is a world of opportunity awaiting just off the beach. With some preparation and patients you will be tallying big sharks on the kite and getting all the wintertime drag pull you can stand.

Photos from the trip:

Comments  

 

+1 #5 2010-03-30 12:40

Great technical writing, Chase. I'm really impressed with the attention given to detail - I could even do this! Aunt Molly

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0 #4 2010-02-11 07:27

Great pics, That looks like a blast watching those spinners explode on the baits!

We need more video of this action on TV. I'm tired of watchin the Kardusians with my wife.

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+1 #3 2010-02-09 20:58

Awsome CHASE! Geri

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+1 #2 kansas 2010-02-09 11:31

Great article! From the sound of things I might be able to sneak out and catch one of these sometime this winter. I hear you about the record sails and great winter fishing, and then being landlocked! Great idea, dealing witht he conditions! I heard that spanish macs make great bait as well. Were you all setting out any chum blocks?

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0 #1 Bilge Master 2010-02-09 11:07

Great article Chase, and it was fun getting some photos. We are definately going to have to do this again, and in the river!

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