Well, you're right, the PE chaps have their butts in the butter so to speak.
The rest of us sit with winds going down the shore following the coastal contour at 90 degrees exactly. Or simply no wind, you can throw the kite further than it would fly.
One thing that counts in our favour is the bait weighs less in the water than out, which is also a good thing if the kite doesn't remain still, the poor action the kite gives it says to any shark 'eat me'.
I'll ask some guys on another forum that deals with weird things. Lets see what gives. 'It cannot be done' doesn't fit into my frame of reference, we just don't see it yet.