Care of your fishing kite
If your kite should wind up in the water it is ALWAYS better to bring the boat to the kite. Pulling the kite toward you puts far too much stress on the struts and they may break. If you are forced to bring the kite to you do so very slowly. If you are using an electric kite reel bump the reel in an out of gear and pause in between to help the kite stay near the surface. The Floats on the kite will help keep the kite on the surface but if you pull the kite too fast in the water you will force it to sink down. If this happens give the kite line some slack and wait a minute or two for the kite to float back to the surface. If there is extreme current it is especially important to go slowly as the current may not allow the kite to float back up if you force it down.
If you break the kite off, either in the air or in the water, mark where it is or lands and run to that area to look for it. The floats will keep it on the surface and the bright color should help you locate it. You must rinse your kite with fresh water and let it dry before attempting to fly it again.
If you accidentally dip your kite in the water when trying to launch it you need to bring it to the boat, rinse and let it dry before you attempt to use it again.
A kite will accumulate salt from the air while flying or from dunking. This will cause the kite to fly erratically or not at all. Your kite should be rinsed with fresh water at the end of the fishing day. Let it dry on the frame and return it to its storage tube for safe, airtight storage. Do not store your kite when it is damp. This will cause the fabric to rot and swivels, hooks and ferrules to corrode.
Periodically, inspect the kite and your kite line and swivels. The kite line may wear at these points or they become weak. If this happens, shorten the line and retie or replace the swivels.
Your kite is not indestructible. Stepping on the frame or dropping heavy objects on your kite may fracture the kite struts or rip the fabric. Store your kite in its storage tube or in a safe dry place.
We have seen kites that were properly cared for that are twenty years old. Take care of your investment.
