After spending hundreds of hours flying drones over beaches, reefs, and rock ledges, we’ve tested just about every fishing rig imaginable to find what works.
Below are our go-to drone fishing rigs, tested in real-world conditions and tuned for success with the Aeroo Pro and other drones on the market. We will also cover the best baits and techniques to match each setup so you can get straight to the fun.
First, the drop loop
This is a leader line ~0.5-1m+ long which connects to your drone and also your rig below. It’s an important safety feature that reduces swinging and reduces the chances of getting your line caught in the propellers
Basic Rig
Best for: Bottom-feeders such as redfish, tailor, and salmon.
This is our go-to beginner rig. It is simple, effective, and quick to deploy, and is designed to reduce tangles and drop bait quickly and with precision. It's perfect for targeting bottom-dwelling species.
Popular baits
- Pilchards
- Mullet
- Squid
- Sand and beach worms
- Live bait (for larger species)
Tips
- Adapt to a grapnel/breakaway sinker for live baits or stronger currents to anchor it down.
- You can scale this rig up into a snapper rig by adding more hooks.
Snapper Rig
Best for: Snapper, school species, and aggressive feeders.
This is a variation of the basic rig, and adds multiple hooks to increase your chances of a hook when fishing schools. Perfect for when the fish are biting and you want multiple catches.
Popular Baits
- Whole Pilchards
- Squid Heads
- Yellowtail
- Whiting
Tips
- Space your hooks well to avoid tangling during deployment
- A grapnel sinker may hold bottom better, but keep in mind it can make reeling in trickier, especially with multiple fish on the line.
Float Rig
Best for: Mid-to-top water species like tuna, kingfish, and marlin.
The float rig (or balloon rig) is perfect for targeting species in the upper water column. Using this rig along with the Aeroo Pro lets you place your bait further offshore, drifting naturally into prime zones.
Popular Baits
- Pilchards
- Sand eels
- Live bait
Tips
- Cast into the current to let the bait drift while keeping the drone well clear of the rig.
- Leader length should be 5m+ for deeper waters.
- Adjust the balloon height depending on the target depth.
Shark Rig
Best for: Bull sharks, tiger sharks, rays
This beast of a rig is built to handle big predators. When deployed properly using a drone like the Aeroo Pro, it allows for precise bait drops far from shore and well past the breakers.
Popular Baits:
- Tuna (whole or fillets)
- Mackerel
- Mullet
-
Any high-oil, bloody fish
Tips:
- Use a weak line between the sinker and main rig for safety and easier retrieval.
- Double-check that your rod, reel, and line are capable of handling big fish pressure.
- Always have a drone battery charged and ready for retrieval.
All these rigs are simple and proven time and time again. They will work with any fishing drone on the market! Ensure you always use a drop loop, and where possible, a safety clip in all your rigs, then adjust per the above to suit your target species. If you have any questions, drop them in the comments below!