Drones for Fishing Offshore

August 10, 2017

Question: I have seen many videos of people using drones to fly their bait out to deeper water. I know drone use is illegal for hunting land animals, but what about for fish? Here is a link to a video of some guys using a drone to fish for tuna. (Mark G.)

Answer: There is currently nothing in the Fish and Game Code or California Code of Regulations Title 14 regulations prohibiting use of drones (or kites or remote control boats) to get your terminal gear out to locations beyond where you can cast. However, drone operators need to comply with all laws applicable to drone use, including restrictions on where they may be operated.

Suppose you are on the beach at Natural Bridges in Santa Cruz, where the SMR extends 200 feet from shore. Could you use a drone to take your line out past 200 feet and fish?

Suppose you are on the beach at Natural Bridges in Santa Cruz, where the SMR extends 200 feet from shore. Could you use a drone to take your line out past 200 feet and fish?

Would the drone pick your line back up at the 200' mark and fly it back to you?

Suppose you are on the beach at Natural Bridges in Santa Cruz, where the SMR extends 200 feet from shore. Could you use a drone to take your line out past 200 feet and fish?

Would the drone pick your line back up at the 200' mark and fly it back to you?

Haha! Sure, why not...