Fishing And Drones – Can You Up Your Game In 2020?

Do you like to fish? Are you a drone pilot? Have you ever considered merging the two? Seriously.

You might be thinking, “Fishing and Drones. Really?”. Well, guess what? It can be done and already has been. I even touched on it briefly in my 3 Unique Uses for Drones post.  In fact, there are dedicated accessories for various drones to make them part of your fishing experience.

Today, we’ll look at integrating drones with fishing. We’ll discuss if it can really be done (I’ve already spoiled that one), what drones might be a good fit for such an endeavor, if it’s a good idea, and what equipment I recommend.

If you’re passionate about either side of this, you might need a larger tackle box, but, in the end, I think you’ll want to give it a shot.

Let’s start by talking about if it can be done and why you might want to in the first place…

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Can You Really Mix Fishing And Drones?

As I’ve already stated, yes, you can. If not, this would be a pretty short article. What I haven’t discussed are the various ways that you can integrate the two successfully. Let’s do that here.

When you think of fishing and drones, what scenario do you conjure up in your mind? Is it reeling a fish in by flying your drone up higher in the air or back to land? Are you picturing using the drone as a fish spotting tool, going out to the spot where the fish were seen and fishing the good old-fashioned way? How about dragging the line and bait out and then dropping it in the middle of a school of fish?

Well, any of the above can be done. What makes the difference is the drone and equipment you have available (and maybe your skillset too). Let’s talk about each option in a bit more detail:

Actually Fishing (Start To Finish) By Drone

When I say start to finish, I mean the whole shebang. Dropping the line (yet still holding onto it), hooking the fish, reeling (or flying) it in, etc. Depending on your environment and the type of fish you’re going for, this can be done. Now, I’m not saying you can bring in a colossal tuna or swordfish, but you can bring in a decent-sized trout, bass, or other similarly sized fish by drone.

One primary consideration to keep in mind is flight time. It would be unfortunate to hook a fish only to have to let it go or watch your drone sink into the depths when the battery runs out.

Another thing to keep in mind is your drone’s ability to lift. If it can only lift 2 lbs and you snag a 3 lb fish or even if the fish is lighter but is quite a fighter, you might discover your drone is outmatched.

In all honesty, start to finish, is a risky endeavor. I’m not saying it can’t be done. I’m just saying it might not be worth the risk.

Spotting Support

Maybe the actual fishing action is best left to the rod and fisherman. In such cases, fish spotting might be the perfect role for the sport. No more boating over the water and watching the fish finder. Now you can have that eye in the sky view and pick out areas where schools are swarming. Just boat on over and cast your line.

Bait And Line Delivery

Think of this as the perfect in-between spot of the two options above. Eye in the sky with line delivery. Now you can either boat on over or stay where you are and just reel a bit more. Either way, you can take advantage of a targeted delivery system.

As you can see, spotting support and bait and line delivery are less risky options.

I actually wouldn’t be surprised if there are some other ways to integrate the two sports. These are just the three that come to mind. If you do know of others, please share them in the comments below.

Now, let’s talk about drone models that would be a good match for fishing…

What Drones Are A Good Match?

Let’s face it. The type of fishing you plan on doing is going to dictate, to a degree, the drone, or at least category of drone, that you’ll need. To that end, I’m going to list the types of fishing (just as above) and then the various drone models that you might want to consider for each.

Start To Finish

I’ll admit, I don’t really have a great option here. You’d want something powerful (maybe an octocopter) to fight the fish. I’m thinking going custom is the right path here. To that end, I don’t have a specific model to recommend. This would be more of a custom project option.

Spotting

This is an easy one. All you’re doing is flying and using the camera, so the requirements aren’t all that special. You need reasonable endurance, possibly the ability to fight decent wind speeds (assuming you’re ocean fishing), a camera, and a suitable range.

Almost any mid-range drone on the market will work for this purpose. That said, I’d be partial to the Autel Evo, DJI Mavic Series (this includes Mini, Air, Pro, Pro Platinum, 2 Zoom, and 2 Pro), the DJI Phantom 3 and 4.

Bait And Line Delivery

Many of the previous category recommendations apply here as well. The trick is finding the right hardware to attach to the drone, and its capacity to carry both it and the gear/bait. This is where the larger drones make more sense. There are setups for the Mavic series but, if you’re looking to fight winds and carry heavier loads, the Phantom and Typhoon options are a better fit.

Now, you’re not limited to the selections above. These are simply recommendations based on my knowledge and the well-known consumer drones currently available. If you think there’s a better fit, or your one of those custom drone building people, by all means, go with your gut. At the same time, I’d be grateful if you’d share your preferences by commenting below.

Is This Really A Good Idea?

There’s a saying, “Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.”. There are many reasons why you may want to fish by drone, or at least integrate one into your fishing experience, but there are also some reasons why you may want to pass on the opportunity. Let’s take a look at some pros and cons:

Pros

Targeted Delivery

You’ve spotted the sweet spot, and you’re placing your gear right in the middle of it. What more could a fisherman ask for?

Potentially Faster Hook Times

Because of that eye in the sky precision, the hook is literally in the middle of the action. Chances are, you’re going to get a hit faster than going with the traditional method.

It’s Just Fun

Come on; you’re flying a drone. That in itself is fun, but targeting your prey from above and dropping that line in just the right place adds an almost gamification layer into the mix. You might even get creative and try various maneuvers to impress onlookers as you “cast” your line.

Cons

You’re Risking Your Drone

You’re flying over water. You might hook something you can’t pull up or, worse yet, may drag you down. Tangles are a possibility. Any of these can be catastrophic and land your drone in the drink.

It May Not Be Legal

Right now, I don’t think there are drone specific regulations in the fishing and game handbooks, but that doesn’t mean you’re in the clear. The FAA controls the skies. You need to be sure that you’re legal from multiple angles. Read a recent post on the FAA’s proposed remote ID rules and their limitations.

You’re Reducing That Coveted Fishing Time

Catching may not be your end goal. For many, it’s the act of fishing (or beer drinking and whatnot). If you’re main reason for fishing is the downtime, don’t go the drone route.

It Can Be Expensive

Aside from purchasing a drone in the first place and the potential to lose your drone, buying the necessary gear is an added expense. If it’s just a “that would be cool” moment for you, take the time to evaluate if buying a setup is really right for you.

As you can see, each scenario offers different criteria on which to base your final decision. Take into account all the factors and weigh them to see if you’re better off going old-fashioned or futuristic fishing. In the end, you’re the one that has to make that decision.

Let’s move on and talk about equipment…

What Kind Of Equipment Would You Recommend?

Although not as convoluted as finding the right gear for the type of fishing you plan to do (at least traditionally with all the lure, bait, and rod/reel options), drone fishing offers several gear selections as well.

Many of the options available to you will depend on the drone type or model you plan to use. To that end, I’ll be listing recommended gear by drone model and using the most common drones for reference.

DJI Phantom 3 Series

FLIFLI AIRDROP FAD-1000BT Release and Drop Device for DJI Phantom 3 – Quick Installation, Independent Communication Device, Reasonable Range, and up to 2 lbs of carrying capacity.

DJI Phantom 4 Series

FLIFLI AIRDROP FAD-1000GT Release and Drop Device for DJI Phantom 4 – Quick Installation, Independent Communication Device, Reasonable Range, and up to 2 lbs of carrying capacity.

Professional Release and Drop Device for DJI Phantom 4 All Models – This one connects to your drone and can be operated by using the drone’s remote controller C buttons or by rotating the aircraft to initiate the drop. It is lightweight and easy to install.

BonFook AirDrop Release Device – Lightweight, compact, and easy to install. Remote has a range of over 1 km.

DJI Mavic Air

Professional Release and Drop Device for DJI Mavic AIR – Able to trigger using the C/Fn button on your drone’s remote or by rotating the aircraft. Tool-free, quick connection, and lightweight.

RCstyle Mavic 2 Drone Clip Payload AirDrop Release Drone Delivery Device – Lightweight, compact, and easy to install. Over 1 km remote range.

DJI Mavic Pro Series

Professional Release and Drop Device for DJI Mavic 1 Pro/Platinum – Use your drone’s C1/C2 button or rotate to drop. Get set up and in the air in seconds. Lightweight and tool-less installation.

O’woda Mavic Pro Drone Clip Payload Delivery Transport Device – Carry a payload of up to 500 grams. Trigger using the drone’s remote controller.

RCstyle Mavic 2 Drone Clip Payload AirDrop Release Drone Delivery Device – Lightweight, compact, and easy to install. Over 1 km remote range.

DJI Mavic 2 Series

O’woda Mavic 2 Drone Clip Payload Delivery Transport Device – Carry a payload of up to 500 grams. Trigger using the drone’s remote controller. Rechargeable battery.

BonFook AirDrop Release Device – Lightweight, compact, and easy to install. Remote has a range of over 1 km.

RCstyle Mavic 2 Drone Clip Payload AirDrop Release Drone Delivery Device – Lightweight, compact, and easy to install. Over 1 km remote range.

Again, I don’t know about everything that’s out there so, if you know of other setups that you think should be mentioned, let me know by commenting below.

Conclusion

There you have it. Fishing and Drones is really a thing! Here are a few videos that I’ve come across that show drone fishing in action:

Now, I’d love to hear your opinion on the subject. Have you gone drone fishing? If so, what type of fishing was it? What gear did you use? Did I miss something you think should be included? Now, after reading this article, are you planning to add a drone to your tackle box? If so, which setup are you going to go with? Please let me know by commenting below. I’d love to see what others are thinking and doing.

Thank you,

Scott Hinkle

MavicManiacs.com