Drone Fishing

As the name suggests, drone fishing is angling with the use of a drone. There are several ways to utilise a drone while fishing, which can help simplify the fishing process. You can use your drone to scout from the air to locate fish in the water below and find fishing spots or even fish that you might not have been able to see. Some drone fishers use it as a bait-release drone, allowing you to drop the bait in the water from the boat or shoreline, allowing you to cast the bait much farther.

The most common use of drones in fishing is reeling in fish, known as “dropping the line”. Rather than using a fishing line, the drone does the catching for you.

These drones include advanced features that are catered specifically to anglers, such as specialised bait release mechanisms, integrated sonar fish finders, HD cameras, and app control. Whilst fishing is a fantastic pastime, a fishing drone can make it not only easier, but also more fun and ensure you hook a catch every time.

• You’ll need a drone. If you don’t have one, research and find one that’s right for you. We recommend you choose a purpose-built fishing drone if you’re serious about surf fishing.
• Your fishing rod and reel will need to work together to allow you to use your drone to deliver your bait offshore.
• Your fishing rod and reel need to be matched to allow you to use your drone to deliver your bait effectively. A good fishing reel with an easy-to-release line from the spool will help to easily and smoothly drone fish.
• A strong enough line to handle the extra tension to release from your drone is important. Ideally, you want a line with a small diameter and high breaking strain to allow a greater quantity of line to be spooled to the reel. 

• Conduct pre-flight checks and be mindful of weather conditions. Do not fly through cloud, fog or smoke.
• Only fly during daylight hours. Flying early in the morning increases chances of successful catches.
• Check local fishing regulations for bag and size limits.
• Keep a battery reserve for the drone's return flight.
• Choose strong-scented and durable bait options.
• Choosing a longer fishing rod can help clear waves when drone fishing from the shore.
• A tension release mechanism can prevent the drone from being dragged down by snagged lines.
• Rinse drone with fresh water after exposure to saltwater.
• Practice ethical catch-and-release methods alongside proper fishing practices to protect your local ecosystem.

In Australia, it is completely legal to use drones for fishing. However, regulations apply to recreational drone pilots. The Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) regulates all aircraft in Australian airspace, including drones. A fishing drone flying off the beach is technically an aircraft, so CASA rules apply.

According to the CASA guidelines, drones must be flown within a visual line of sight and cannot be flown over or near people. The flight altitude must not be higher than 120 metres above ground level. Drones weighing over 250g should not be flown closer than 5.5km from controlled airports (airpors with control towers). Drones weighing over 25kg must be approved and registered with CASA.

As drone bait deployment falls under recreational fishing, standard state fishing licenses apply. Recreational fishing licenses are required in NSW, VIC, and ACT. Other Australian states (WA, QLD, SA, NT & TAS) do not require a license, however specific protected zones such as national parks, conservation parks and marine parks prohibit fishing and drone use altogether. Flying drones in prohibited areas can result in fines and other penalties.

It's important you know the laws surrounding the use of your fishing drone. Most countries have regulations regarding where and when you can fly your craft, and some places allow you to use yours freely, while others require you to get a license, register your craft, and adhere to other requirements.

You should always check local regulations before using a drone for fishing.

It is recommended you use a drone specifically designed for fishing. Purpose-built fishing drones are waterproof, can fly in moderate to heavy winds without any issues, and are covered by warranty because they are designed for that purpose. Below are some factors to consider before drone fishing with a non-drone fishing drone:

• Other drones (such as DJI drones) are generally not designed to operate in wet or water-based environments. Fishing usually involves being near or over bodies of water, increasing the risk of the drone crashing into the water.
• Beach air contains tiny drops of sand and saltwater. Fine sand particles can cause damage to the drone's motors, and saltwater can corrode electronics and sensors.
• Photography/videography drones generally aren't designed to handle strong wind conditions. Strong winds can affect the drone's stability and reduce flight time. Underestimating the wind force at the beach or offshore can cause your drone to crash.
• Photography/videography drones tend to have a limited payload capacity, and exceeding this limit by adding bait or a bait release mechanism can affect the drone's flight performance, stability, and flight time. A pendulum effect can also occur when the drone is flown too fast, and the swinging line with bait and sinker can affect the drone's balance and make it fall from the sky.
• Additionally, adding third-party products, such as a bait release, to your non-fishing drone immediately voids the warranty. Carrying too much payload can show up on the drone's flight log, so you are flying at your own risk when using a photography/videography drone for fishing.

TackleWest stocks a wide range of drone fishing equipment and tackle, from recommended fishing rods, rod and reel combos, terminal tackle, and ready-to-fish drones. Contact us or visit our friendly team in-store for tips, advice, and assistance finding the right drone fishing equipment for your next fishing trip.