Helium balloon fishing is a pretty unique style of fishing that you will only find in a few corners of the globe. In this video, these two Florida captains demonstrate helium balloon fishing for sailfish, mackerel, and more.
What the heck is helium balloon fishing?
Helium balloon fishing is actually just a modification to kite fishing. The helium balloon is added to the kite on windless days to keep it up in air so that bait that dangles below remains on or near the surface of the water.
In helium balloon fishing (or kite fishing), once the bait is hooked, the fishing line is then clipped to the kite line and flown out over the surface of the water. If a fish takes the bait, the kite drops to the water and the fishing line is released so the angler can fight the fish.
The balloon also keeps the kite on the water’s surface after the fish takes the bait. That’s because the kite, attached to a separate line, will sink under the surface, making it very difficult to reel in due to the force of the water pushing against the awkward shape of the kite.
Why go helium balloon fishing?
There are several advantages that are completely unique to helium balloon fishing and kite fishing.
1. Vast amounts of water can be covered quickly
2. Bait is presented in a very natural way and can be kept at the surface
3. Off-limits or unobtainable water can be fished without taking the boat into the area
4. Disabled people and beach anglers can “cast” the bait much further out
5. Helium balloon fishing lets anglers spread out more lines simultaneously
Who is helium balloon fishing?
Locally, helium balloon fishing and kite fishing has become increasingly popular in south Florida, for sailfish, mahi-mahi, grouper, snapper, tuna, king mackerel, and wahoo. It’s very typical on the beaches of New Zealand and is increasing in popularity in Melbourne, Australia, where anglers are helium balloon fishing in both salt and freshwater.
Are there special balloons for helium balloon fishing?
You bet. The balloons used for helium balloon fishing are a specialized, heavy-walled balloon that usually come only in white, yellow, or orange, for a very specific reason.
Darker colors tend to absorb sunlight and heat, whereas lighter colors – especially white – do a better job of reflecting sunlight. Gay-Lussac’s Law taught us that as temperature rises, volume increases. So, the cooler the balloon stays, the less it will expand, helping prevent popping or deflating.
Helium balloon fishing: what will we think of next?