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California Flyer Co. Delta Flyer 270 




The California Flyer Co. Delta Flyer 270 is a highly specialized offshore lure designed to imitate one of the most important forage species in big-game fishing—the flying fish. Built with extreme realism and engineered for kite fishing applications, this lure targets serious anglers chasing pelagics like tuna, sailfish, and mahi. At around $75, it sits firmly in the premium artificial bait category.


First Impressions

Right out of the package, the Delta Flyer 270 stands out for its lifelike appearance. Unlike traditional trolling lures or soft plastics, this bait is modeled from 3D scans of real flying fish, giving it an unmatched level of detail in profile, coloration, and proportions.

At 10.5 inches, it offers a slightly smaller profile than its 350 counterpart—making it more versatile in fisheries where a subtler presentation gets more action.


Key Features & Design

Ultra-Realistic Construction

The lure uses TPE rubber construction combined with detailed paint schemes to mimic a real flying fish closely.

  • Natural translucency

  • Flexible body for lifelike movement

  • Durable enough for repeated strikes

Interchangeable Wing System

One of the most unique features is the dual wing design:

  • Spread wings → skipping/gliding action on the surface

  • Delta (tucked) wings → more subtle movement for drifting or slow trolling

This allows anglers to adapt the lure to different conditions without switching baits.

Internal Harness System

The Delta Flyer 270 features a line-through internal harness, improving:

  • Hook-up ratios

  • Durability (less tearing vs. external rigging)

  • Natural presentation

Multi-Application Versatility

This lure isn’t limited to one technique. It can be fished:

  • From a kite

  • Slow-trolled

  • Fly-lined on a drift

  • Pulled from outriggers or a green stick


Performance

Surface Action

With the spread-wing setup, the lure produces a convincing skipping/gliding motion, closely resembling a fleeing flying fish. This is where it shines—especially in kite fishing scenarios where realism is everything.

Stability

The bait has been tuned for stability both in flight and at rest, meaning fewer spin-outs and better tracking in rough conditions.

Strike Appeal

This lure is built for reaction bites from large pelagics. Its effectiveness comes from:

  • Profile accuracy

  • Surface commotion

  • Realistic silhouette against the sky


Durability

Compared to traditional soft plastics, the Delta Flyer 270 is impressively tough:

  • TPE material resists tearing

  • Internal harness reduces stress on the body

  • Replaceable/adjustable components extend lifespan

However, like any high-end lure, toothy fish and repeated big-game hits will eventually wear it down.


Considerations

Heavy Tackle Required

This is not a casual lure. It’s designed for:

  • 130 lb+ line class setups

  • Heavy leaders and large treble hooks

Price Point

At ~$75, it’s expensive—but comparable to other premium offshore artificial baits.

Niche Application

This is not a general-purpose lure:

  • Overkill for inshore species

  • Best suited for offshore pelagic fisheries


Delta 270 vs 350

Attribute

Delta Flyer 270

$75.00•Melton International Tackle

Delta Flyer 350

$100.00•California Flyer Co.

Size

10.5"

Larger profile

Best Use

Subtle / pressured fish

Big profile / aggressive fish

Versatility

Higher

Slightly more specialized

Price

~$75

~$100


The California Flyer Co. Delta Flyer 270 is one of the most realistic flying fish imitations ever made, and it absolutely delivers in the scenarios it was built for.

Pros

  • Exceptional realism (arguably best in class)

  • Versatile rigging and fishing methods

  • Durable construction

  • Adjustable action via interchangeable wings


Bottom line:If you’re targeting big pelagics and want a top-tier artificial flying fish, the Delta Flyer 270 is a serious weapon—especially when live bait isn’t an option.


 
 
 
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