If you like fishing as much as I do, you know that one fish always gets away. Maybe sometimes, at night, you can hear the fish laughing at you. But what if you are sick of that and want to take matters to the sky?
Believe it or not, there are fishing drones for that! This post will explain my choice for the best fishing drone, as well as give a basic rundown of what fishing drones can do for your nautical nonsense.
My number one recommendation is the Swellpro Fisherman FD1 fishing drone. It’s a little pricey, but the best at what it does.
But how does a fishing drone help with fishing, anyways? Can you use any fishing drone for fishing? This article might be the first you’ve heard of fishing drones, so I’ll give you a small primer on them in the first entry. They aren’t the usual fare for this blog.
I’ll be using the Swellpro Fisherman FD1 fishing drone as an example because it’s among the best drones for fishing. Those fish won’t know what hit them when this fishing drone lifts them out of the water. Who’ll have the last laugh once you get a fishing drone into their territory?!
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Best Drone For Fishing 
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$949.00
| $1,145.00
| $2,529.98
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Payload Capacity:
1.1 lbs | 0.5 kg | Payload Capacity:
4.4 lbs | 2 kg | Payload Capacity:
20 lbs | 9 kg |
Waterproof?:
Yes | Waterproof?:
Yes | Waterproof?:
No |
The Best Drones For Fishing
1. SwellPRO Fisherman FD1
Fisherman FD1 is a robust waterproof fishing drone tailored for avid anglers. Building on SplashDrone 3+ technology, it specializes in bait dropping, eliminating non-essential features to be cost-effective.
With its high-capacity battery and powerful motors, FD1 lifts up to 2kg of bait and operates over a 1.6km range.
Designed for sea use, it's corrosion-resistant, IP67 waterproof, and has an auto-release function for safety. Ideal for accessing remote fishing spots without a boat.
But does a fishing drone need to be dedicated? The short answer is “yes.” You cannot use just any drone for fishing. But why not?
At the most basic level, fishing using a drone means tying a portion of your fishing line onto the drone, then flying that drone over a fishing spot. The drone lets you cast your line into an area with a lot of fish with laser precision rather than throwing your line out and praying. This video by Bunyip Fishing shows a red snapper caught using a fishing drone!
By using a fishing drone, you can reduce the randomness involved in fishing. But this means that the best fishing drone needs all of the following:
- An excellent camera.
- The ability to carry things.
- Good battery life/range.
- Ideally, the drone will have features made specifically for drone fishing, such as being waterproof or being able to carry a heavy load.
The best fishing drone will not only be waterproof and carry a decent load but may have features like sky trolling and fish sonar. Don’t let any fish escape!
Now that we know what we need, does the Swellpro Fisherman FD1 fishing drone check all the boxes? Absolutely! It can carry up to 2kg (~4.4 lb.) of baited hooks. It can even go against the wind with Beaufort 7 wind resistance! This fishing drone was meant for fishing, and that’s what it’s going to do.
2. Swellpro Spry+
The Spry drone by Swellpro is specifically tailored for marine environments, boasting a 100% waterproof IP67 rating and buoyancy features.
Engineered with corrosion-resistant materials, it can effortlessly land on and take off from water. Its compact design, coupled with high-thrust motors, allows it to reach speeds of over 65 KM/H, ideal for capturing dynamic water sports like surfing or wakeboarding.
Despite its power, the Spry is user-friendly, offering both GPS and ATTI flight modes.
Slightly below the Fisherman FD1 is the SwellPro Spry+. It’s not as specialized as the Fisherman but is the best waterproof drone for most purposes. Along with fishing, it is suitable for racing thanks to its high-speed abilities.
While you might think the lack of specialization is this fishing drone’s greatest weakness, there is a bigger reason it is bad for fishing: poor battery life. Unlike most fishing drones, which have at least 30 minutes of battery life, the Spry+ has less than 20 minutes of battery life. It also lacks obstacle avoidance, so some may not think it is worth the price. It’s great that this fishing drone is waterproof, but you shouldn’t need to swim to get it back.
3. Yuneec Typhoon H Plus
The Typhoon H Plus is a hexacopter equipped with a C23 1" sensor camera, capturing up to 20 MP photos and 4K video at 60 FPS.
It showcases improved low-light capabilities and an expanded dynamic range. Its six-rotor design aims to provide added stability in varied conditions, while the new PX4-based flight controller seeks to enhance overall reliability.
The drone also features advanced flight modes and shielded components for potential durability
Remember how I mentioned that good fishing drones might have to carry things? With 6 rotors, it can carry payloads of over 20 lb.—great if you want some bigger fish to fry! If a big one tries to pull your Typhoon H+ down, it’ll be a real struggle!
But I haven’t talked about sonar yet, and now’s probably a good time. The Typhoon H+’s powerful sonar is designed for obstacle avoidance, but did you know that you can also use sonar to track fish? The Typhoon H+ also has focusing abilities. Once your sonar detects those fish, they won’t leave your sight! That’s how the best fishing drones roll.
That said, the Typhoon H+ is a budget drone, and that sometimes shows. I have heard of people breaking the Typhoon H, and flyaways are common. It would suck to lose your fishing drone at sea. I certainly hope the H+ has fixed some of these issues!
4. DJI Mini 3 Pro
The DJI Mini 3 Pro is designed for those who prioritize detailed imagery, supporting 4K/60fps video and 48MP photos with an advanced camera system that features dual native ISO and f/1.7 aperture.
Its unique True Vertical Shooting allows for optimal portrait shots suited for social platforms. With a 34-minute flight duration, users can extensively capture their environment.
Safety is enhanced through its tri-directional obstacle sensing and APAS 4.0.
The DJI Mini 3 Pro is the best for reliability. Since it’s under 249g/0.55 lb., you may already have this drone in your collection and will not need to register it! But it’s also one of the best drones for fishing due to its focusing abilities, long battery life (34 mins), and true vertical shooting.
But it is important to remember that this fishing drone was not designed for fishing. It has a great camera, but no special tricks for fishing. Don’t push your luck with heavy payloads. But if you already have this fishing drone for its other benefits, it’ll do for finding fishing spots and dropping your line.
The DJI Mini 3 Pro is small but mighty. It has an excellent camera, and it’s a good choice if you want a fishing drone under 250 grams. This fishing drone can wear many hats, and it’s more affordable than some of the best fishing drones on this list by a decent margin. Sometimes the best fishing drone might be one you already have.
5. PowerEgg X
The PowerEgg X delivers 4K60FPS aerial footage and possesses dual capabilities as a handheld gimbal and drone.
It includes features such as slow-motion, time-lapse, and SyncVoice technology for potential audio overlays.
Equipped with sensors, the device can detect obstacles and ensure precise landings.
With a transmission distance of up to 6km and a wind resistance of level 5, it provides a certain level of control and an integrated app for editing. And it's waterproof!
The PowerEgg X has a special feature that lets it lock onto faces and people following them around. Of course, that focusing power is also good for finding the best fishing spots. That makes the PowerEgg X Wizard one of the best fishing drones.
But the PowerEgg X Wizard is not without its flaws. Some reviewers have critiqued its video quality, even though its photo and audio quality are fine. In my own testing, I have experienced some issues with camera vibration, stability, and odd amounts of exposure.
Buying Guide For Fishing Drones
I got into this a little bit earlier, but here are some things you should look for if you want the best fishing drone:
1. Water Resistance
Even though your drone shouldn’t touch the water when dropping lines, you never know what might happen 300 feet out at sea. The best fishing drone for you must be as waterproof as it can be.
2. Available Accessories
Bait Drop
Even if your drone doesn’t have a special feature for it, it should be able to carry a small amount of bait for you to drop. Some specialized fishing drones have features that allow you to drop your line using a special hook, and some can carry multiple lines’ worth of bait!
Sky Trolling Accessories
Some fishing drones have ways that you can drop your lure without forcing an awkward turn—for example, latches that will drop your line with a push of a button.
Fish Finder (Sonar)
Sometimes, even the best camera won’t see hidden fish. Although most sonar isn’t intended to find fish, it can detect fish that your camera will not!
3. Safety Over Water
GPS
If you’ve ever been fishing, you know that your line has to stay in one place for a very long time. This is a lot easier if your drone has GPS. That will allow it to stay steady while you wait for your fish to bite.
Obstacle Avoidance
Anything that keeps your drone stable while you’re dropping your line helps. Some drones with advanced obstacle avoidance also come with sonar that makes hunting fish easier.
Auto Return to Home (RTH)
Some drones can return to you or a pre-designated GPS point. This helps when you need to drop your line. You can focus on pulling in your catch while the drone flies back to you!
Power and Wind Resistance
Similar to the point about GPS, you want your drone to stay steady as you drop your line. You also don’t want it pulled under if you get a bite.
Battery Life
Any drone that you intend to use for fishing should have at least 30 minutes of battery life. You don’t want a drone that isn’t waterproof to take a swim—or to swim out to catch a drone more waterproof than you are!
4. Camera
Angle Adjustability
Having a camera with an adjustable angle allows you to see fish beneath the water more easily. You might even catch some hiding in the shadows!
Camera Quality (Resolution)
The best drones for fishing all have amazing cameras—you need to be able to spot fast-moving fish beneath murky water, after all! Your camera will need to be at least 1080p to be good for drone fishing, but if you have that and a few other features, you can at least scout out fishing spots.
FAQs
Can You Fish with a Drone?
Yes, you can fish with a drone! Most fishermen who use drones attach their lines to drones and fly their lines over to an area with fish (“drone casting”). Then, they twist the drone in the air so that it drops the bait. Drones with “return to home” features are great for this.
Is It Legal to Fish with a Drone?
This is harder to answer than it sounds. There are many layers of laws surrounding fishing with drones in the United States. The International Fish and Game Association (IFGA) approves fishing with drones. But there’s a catch: you can drop bait with a drone, but it’s sometimes illegal to use a drone to pull the fish out of the water.
The short versions for most areas are…
- Locating fish with a drone (drone reconnaissance) is legal.
- Drone casting (dropping bait) is legal but sometimes frowned upon by the fishing community.
- Drone casting and pulling are both frowned upon and may be illegal by the state.
Please check your local laws for any regulations on drone fishing. And of course, you should always bear the rules of your particular airspace in mind! Register your drone with the FAA if you have to, alert people who might shoot your drone that you might be drone fishing, and do anything else you might need to do.
Can I Fish with Underwater Drones?
Basically, yes, you can fish with underwater drones. The technology is still new, so there’s not much regulation. Please check your local laws when using drones to fish; the pulling law also applies to underwater drones!
Can I Use Popular Drones Like the DJI Mavic Air 2?
In theory, yes, you can use any drone to fish. In practice, it is not always wise to use any drone you happen to have on hand. Fish fight back, so if you intend to let a fish bite your line while the drone is still attached, you may risk losing your drone. But if you just want to find fish and drop your line, any drone with a high-quality camera, a 30+ minute battery, and a decent carrying capacity can do that. I would question how much the DJI Mavic Air 2 can carry, but otherwise, it would be a decent choice on paper. Test your drone on land before taking it out to sea.
Remember: intelligence is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, but wisdom is knowing that tomatoes don’t belong in a fruit salad.
Reeling It In… And The Best Drone For Fishing Is…
Fishing with a drone may seem like a novel idea to you, but once you get the hang of it, it lets you reach fish you never thought you’d catch! And there are several drones designed for fishing or watersports, including the Swellpro drones mentioned above. Drones meant for rough weather, such as the Typhoon H+ and the PowerEgg X Wizard, can also be good for watersports.
If you give a man a fish, you’ll feed him for a day. If you teach a man to fish, you’ll feed him for a lifetime. And if you teach a man to fish with a drone, you’ll feed him, and he’ll be able to pilot a miniature robot so that he doesn’t get wet! Have fun out there, and mind your batteries.
Fisherman FD1 is a robust waterproof fishing drone tailored for avid anglers. Building on SplashDrone 3+ technology, it specializes in bait dropping, eliminating non-essential features to be cost-effective.
With its high-capacity battery and powerful motors, FD1 lifts up to 2kg of bait and operates over a 1.6km range.
Designed for sea use, it's corrosion-resistant, IP67 waterproof, and has an auto-release function for safety. Ideal for accessing remote fishing spots without a boat.
