So you are looking at getting into drone fishing, but don’t want to put your life savings into it - no problem!
Now, if you're anything like us when starting out, you have looked at a few websites, read some information you didn't fully understand, and then got overwhelmed by it all... We're fishermen after all and you're not alone!
Now be warned we are biased (towards Aeroo), however, our team of experts have experience with every fishing drone out there, plus worked in and been around the drone fishing business since it started. Our goal here is to fully inform you of all your options and find the right drone for your budget and unique purpose.
We’ve split this list into 3 categories:
In 2024, there are now quite a few fishing drones on the market, each tailored to meet the varied needs of each fisherman.
We’ve done a thorough comparison, so you can get the most bang for your buck:
Best Budget Fishing Drone 2024
Aeroo Pro
Check Latest Price: aeroodrones.com
By far the cheapest Fishing Drone on the market at around 50% of the price of its next competitor, plus boasting features that take it above and beyond them, the Aeroo Pro is the obvious choice for anyone getting into drone fishing and is the perfect DJI alternative.
| Overall: |
9.5 |
| Payload: |
8 |
| Durability: |
8.5 |
| Ease of Use: |
10 |
| Camera |
9 |
| Other Features |
10 |
| Value |
10 |
Pro's
- Price - nothing even comes close, and it is low risk - high reward drone fishing!
- Ease of use - We're fishermen after all, and we love that literally anyone can fly and use this drone without a hitch.
- Payload - Aeroo Pro has a huge 1kg max safe payload, which is perfect for anywhere from 1-10+ hook setups or drone delivery!
- Emergency release and payload carrying safety features.
- Full GPS - Return Home, Auto Takeoff, Hover, Waypoints etc.
- Ultra HD 4K Camera with 3 Axis Gimbal and 6X Zoom for scouting and recording the trip.
- Durable - Strong one-piece construction to withstand spray, impacts and regular use.
- Water resistant coating to withstand constant salt/sea spray over time.
- Simple and Compact - Unlike most other fishing drones, this packs into a small carry case and doesn't require battery cell balancing or other RC maintenance knowledge to use.
- Very beginner friendly and easy to use.
Cons
- Not Fully Waterproof - While no fishing drone should end up in the drink thanks to their safety features, being waterproof means (depending on how far out you are) you may be able to retrieve it. If this is a concern, they offer Aeroo Protect, which covers the drone in the event of any collision, wear, water damage or even loss!
Alternatives:
AEE Condor A22
A good option for those where the Aeroo Pro may be currently unavailable. We also love the ability to release the payload via force and at the press of a button integrated into the same payload release. However with their lack of a camera, no weatherproofing and limited safety features, it’s difficult to justify the price.
Swellpro Spry
The cheapest waterproof fishing drone on the market and at just below $2000 is good value for the features you get. Bear in mind, however, that these drones are not user-friendly and many (ourselves included) have had issues with them. These drones are not designed for fishing specifically, so have a small payload and manual release.
Best Ultra Heavy Fishing Drone ($2500+)
Cuta Copter Trident Boss+
Check Latest Price: cutacopteraustralia.com
Cuta Copter are a long-established and trusted name for fishing drones and their latest BOSS series is no exception. Its big 4kg Max Safe Payload is perfect for multiple large baits and serious long-line fishing setups. Unfortunately, these drones in 2024 have limited servicing options (particularly in New Zealand) and are not very user-friendly.
| Overall: |
7.6 |
| Payload: |
10 |
| Durability: |
10 |
| Ease of Use: |
4 |
| Camera |
3 |
| Other Features |
7.5 |
| Value |
6 |
Pro's
- Huge Payload - 4kg, this beast will take out 10+ large baits at once.
- Smart GPS Functions - On top of auto return home, hover, takeoff etc, it has waypoint missions and GPS location save for consistent drops.
- Waterproof - Fully sealed internals and motors.
- Long Range - 1.5km, chances are if you are looking at this drone, you have a pretty serious setup and spool to suit, so something with the flexibility to go as far as you need is appreciated.
Con's
- Expensive - Hanging around the $4000 mark, these drones aren't cheap and it is a lot of money to have flying out to sea.
- Low-Quality Camera - In our opinion, a good camera on a fishing drone is essential and while Cuta does offer a decent 2-axis HD Camera system for it, it will set you back another few hundred bucks.
Alternatives:
Rippton Shark X
Waterproof, large payload and a slightly lower price point than the Cuta Copter, the Shark X is an excellent option for those looking for an ultra-heavy lift drone with less money to play with. Unfortunately, this drone has no camera or camera attachment, which limits use. For reliable, heavy bait drops (3kg max) up to 1km away, this is a great option.
Gannet Black
Huge 5kg Payload, integrated camera, long-range and fully waterproof. Gannet Black is a beast! It should be noted however these drones are not user-friendly and are very pricey. The Gannet 2 (Included in our comparison) has a smaller payload (2kg) but is more budget-friendly.
Best Scouting Drone
DJI Phantom 4 Pro/DJI Mavic 3
Check Latest Price: dji.com
| Overall: |
8.3 |
| Payload: |
4 |
| Durability: |
7.5 |
| Ease of Use: |
10 |
| Camera |
10 |
| Other Features |
9 |
| Value |
7 |
DJI Is by far the biggest name in the drone industry and for good reason - their camera system. For those with the budget, the Phantom 4 Pro is an excellent hybrid system that combines a large, 3-axis stabilised 4K camera sensor and a robust design for drone fishing capabilities. Unfortunately, the Phantom 4 has been discontinued for a few years now and is only available used - which comes with several risks.
The DJI Mavic 3 is the closest equivalent replacement that is available now. This drone is excellent for scouting, with a UHD 5.7K resolution and a telephoto lens inbuilt. It is however expensive, and while a third-party payload release can be attached, it is strongly not recommended and will void any DJI Warranty.
Pro's
- Excellent camera to find where to cast and record the catch.
- Reliable DJI Name and reputation.
- Full GPS and refined app interface.
Con's
- Not designed to carry a payload - In fact, the drone has motor overload sensors and it voids the warranty. A lot of features are not needed for drone fishing, and it lacks some emergency failsafe systems to protect the drone from flying out.
- Release system not included, unless you botch a homemade solution, you will have to spend an extra couple hundred dollars on a release system like the Gannet Sport.
Alternatives:
DJI Air 3
Newly released, super portable and easy to fly, this is an excellent choice for someone looking for a scouting drone but on a bit of a tighter budget. The Air 3 is smaller than the Mavic 3 and is not recommended to use at all for taking your line out. Like all DJI consumer drones, carrying a payload does void warranty so use at your own risk!
Used DJI Mavic Pro/Phantom 3/4
You can pick these up super cheap off marketplace. It is important if buying used you don’t end up with a dud (which is very possible if the drone hasn’t been maintained properly. We suggest checking:
- Proof of purchase.
- Battery health and flight hours (via the app).
- Checking for any signs of bad connectors/corrosion/damage.
- Old Owner’s knowledge of drone maintenance.
Conclusion
Hopefully, the information in this article is useful in helping you find the right drone for your specific needs. Our awesome team at Aeroo are completely hooked on drone fishing, and having been in the game since the beginning, we are passionate about growing the industry and making drone fishing work to meet anyone’s needs. No matter what drone you use, we are behind you 100% of the way.
Please get in touch with us at support@nz.aeroodrones.com should you have any questions, concerns or even ideas - we’d love to hear them!
Plus, if you have any recommendations on drones you'd like to see us add to this list, please let us know below!
Tight lines!
This is a guide only and is regularly updated by our team. Always read the exact specs of the drone you are buying at the purchase source to determine information accuracy as various brands/models can vary very slightly between manufacturers and regions.
Last Update 6th September, 2024