Drones have been a hot topic of discussion in the news lately. While drones are widely debated in military and commercial use, a newer application is gaining attention: drone fishing. Some anglers oppose it, while others view it as a more efficient and fair approach.

Is drone fishing fair?

That depends on who you ask. Some anglers say it gives an unfair advantage by allowing access to hard-to-reach areas, while others believe it levels the playing field regardless of physical ability.

One of the first viral examples of drone fishing appeared in a 2016 YouTube video filmed in southwestern Australia, showing a drone dropping bait to attract a school of tuna and capturing global attention. The anglers were then able to catch the fish with ease.

While this video may have been one of the first examples of drone fishing, it’s certainly not the only one. In 2017, a man in Florida caught an impressive snook using a drone. And in 2019, a group of fishermen in New Zealand made headlines when they used a drone to reel in a massive 14-kilogram kingfish.

Some states are banning drones in fishing competitions, but it’s unclear if this will stop anglers from using them. Only time will tell how popular drone fishing becomes and how public opinion will evolve.

 

Fishing With Drones in America

Fishing with drones is currently allowed in most states in America. However, there are a few states that have banned their use. Hawaii has recently banned the use of drones for fishing, citing concerns that they can harass wildlife by chasing fish into nets or scaring them from feeding areas. While some argue this is no different from using bait or lures, others believe it gives anglers an unfair advantage. There’s also a question of whether it’s ethical to use a drone to spy on what other boats are doing.

According to the International Game Fish Association, in Florida, you may use your drone to fish in Florida as long as the line is attached to the device by either a snap or release device. This means it should release the line from the drone’s clip once the fish bites. However, you first need to register your drone with the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) before you get started.

On the other hand, some bass tournaments prohibit the use of drones by anglers to gain an unfair advantage. Some sailfish tournaments prohibit the use of drones as well as planes, ultra lights, and helicopters used to locate the fish. Another ethical question concerns the use of drones where boats are kite fishing, as a drone could get snagged in kite lines or cut them off.

While drone fishing remains largely legal, increasing pressure from conservationists and citizens may lead to stricter regulations or widespread bans to protect wildlife.

Only time will tell how the use of drones for fishing will be regulated in the future. For now, many anglers are taking advantage of this new technology and using it to catch fish in ways that were once impossible.

Do you think drone fishing should be banned? Why or why not?

On the pro side

Some anglers argue that drone fishing is actually fairer than traditional fishing methods. By enabling precise targeting and automated release of non-target or undersized catch, drones significantly reduce accidental bycatch and unnecessary harm to marine life.

On the con side

Some anglers argue that drone fishing takes away from the sport of fishing. Critics argue that drone fishing undermines traditional skill by over-relying on technology. Furthermore, the increased efficiency raises concerns about overfishing due to higher catch rates in less time.

From what we can gather, it seems that there are pros and cons to drone fishing from an angler’s perspective. In the end, it is up to each individual angler to decide whether or not they think drone fishing is fair.

So, what do you think? Is drone fishing fair? Is it something you would try? Please leave your thoughts and opinions on drone fishing in the comments below!

Thanks for reading! We hope this helped give you a better understanding of public opinion on drone fishing. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about drones, please visit our website or contact us today!