How To Rig A Kite Rod With Triple Release Clips

Kite fishing requires specialized tackle and hours of practice to perfect, but stands out as one of the single most effective techniques for presenting live baits on the surface. Photo: Steve Dougherty-doughertyphotos.com

Properly rigging your kite rod is critical to success. The triple swivel rig is extremely popular with top fishermen in Florida. When rigging a rod for the triple clip rig, swivels will be tied in the kite line at various intervals to raise release clips as the kite is deployed. Most tournament anglers carry multiple kite rods spooled with 50 to 80 lb. braid which are deployed depending on wind strength. Light 50lb. braid setups are ideal in light winds. Photo: Steve Dougherty-doughertyphotos.com

Pre-rigged kite fishing kits are available with release clips that have holes pre-drilled to match the supplied swivels. The advantage of running triple clips on a kite rig is that if a bait falls out of the clip or is pulled out of the clip by a fish you have the option of sending a new bait up the kite line without having to retrieve the kite. Photo: Steve Dougherty-doughertyphotos.com

Begin by tying a size 5 Rosco barrel swivel on the main line of the kite reel with a uni knot. Attach a 75-foot length of braided line on the other end of the swivel and then wind the line onto the reel. Photo: Steve Dougherty-doughertyphotos.com

Next, attach a size 7 Rosco barrel swivel to the main line with a uni knot and another 75 foot section of braided line. Photo: Steve Dougherty-doughertyphotos.com

Finally, tie a size 3 Spro heavy duty ball bearing swivel to the line using a uni knot. Attach another 100-feet of braid between the kite and the snap swivel on the end of the line. The reason this section should be longer than the other two is to help get the kite away from the boat upon deployment. Photo: Steve Dougherty-doughertyphotos.com

Thread the release clips onto the line before attaching the snap swivel. Slide the clip with the largest hole on first. Photo: Steve Dougherty-doughertyphotos.com

Most anglers space their clips 70-90 feet apart when targeting dolphin and kingfish, but many sailfish anglers will shorten the distance between clips in order to maximize the opportunity for double and triple hookups. Photo: Steve Dougherty-doughertyphotos.com