Ontario Shore Fishing Forum

Here’s a fun project that I plan to experiment with this year for lake shore fishing, river bank fishing and perhaps bridge and pier fishing. Thought I’d share this “fun” concept……… I will report my findings in the fall………..

“Balloon Fishing”

Years ago I watched a few guys that were using balloons on the west coast of Florida (on Fort DeSoto Island) to help get their big shark baits way out there since the water there was quite shallow for well over a hundred yards out. They were using modified wooden clothes pins as releases for the fair size balloons they used.

It seemed to work great since there was a stiff offshore breeze, and an outgoing tide. They did catch a small one (4’) while we were there.

I never really considered using lifesavers as a dissolvable release.

See links below:

http://www.ehow.com/how_6550109_use-ball...-line.html

http://www.catfishin.net/balloon.html

http://www.latexballoons.ca/latexballoons2.htm

http://www.dimestorefishermen.com/prosta...n_blue.cfm


Has anyone tried this…………… and have a few tips or pointers.

Apparently latex balloons are bio-degradable.

My thoughts are that this concept might be quite useable on a river where the downstream current is the propulsion for the bait setup – for hard to reach areas - regarding catfish and carp.

Cheers,

OldTimer

Interesting concept, may give it a shot by lake O and see if I can catch anything if I let it go out as far as possible.

I have done this in the past. It is how the locals fish in Aruba where I lived for a few years. I mostly did it with a conventional rod and reel but I also have one of the traditional Aruban hand reels (looks like a giant bobbin). The offshore trade winds in Aruba are pretty constant at the north end of the Island near the lighthouse, and using the ballon as a wind driven float you can get a chunk of bait out over the steep drop off on the other side of the reef even though the drop off is more than 500ft offshore.

It was great if you hooked a small tuna or a red snapper, but not so much fun if you hooked into a reef shark or tangled a leatherback turtle. The shark I eventually managed to land on the beach near a fancy tourist hotel at 5:30am, with the hotel manager screaming his ass off at me!
He was terrified that the guests would hear that someone had caught "a shark" at his beach. (duuur dum, duuur dum, duuur dum)

you need a brightly coloured balloon for long distance sighting

If you were really worried about the possible pollution with all the gallons going out into the water or you were night fishing you could try making those asian lantern/balloons that you put a small candle under to fly your ballon/lantern out over the water. it be great for at night because you can see them for a good distance away. also i think there is a way to make them so they will eventually just catch fire and the paper burn up and since its over water you don't have to worry about fires provided that one you did it over a lake and two the wind was working in your favour. might be a fun experiment/skill to learn and give you something to make when your waiting on a bite.

Balloons would work for downstream presentation...even a planar board fished downstream would help to pull your line out and into a more difficult area. You may need two separate rods...one attached to the planar board (so you can retrieve it once you pop the clip), and the other rod which you fish with.

Now, for offshore...say Lake Ontario, Instead of balloon, how about a kite with a release clip (ones used for planar boards or downriggers)?

I've read about Hawaiians doing the same from cliff side when the wind blow from their backs. They also use large garbage bags instead of balloons if they are putting out a large bait.

I've read people caught yellowfin tuna, dorado and even hooked into the odd wahoo and marlin doing this from cliffs.

I'd say a kite will give you the maximum control and the least environmental impact.

You can buy kite fishing kits online....I know, I have been tempted...so tempted.