Drone Fishing For Bass: The Beginner’s Guide!


Drone fishing has taken the fishing world by storm and it does not seem like people will stop using them. But how would you use a drone to fish for bass? I’ve done some research and here’s what I’ve found!

Video of drone angler showing how to catch bass using DJI Phantom 3

Keep reading to find out how to use a drone to fish for bass and a few tips and tricks you can utilize with your drone!

3 Methods You Can Use To Drone Fish For Bass

Drone fishing comes in various forms and there are many methods on how to do it that have been tried and tested by many fellow drone anglers. Here are some of the best methods to use for bass fishing using a drone:

Drone Reconnaissance

This involves using the drone camera and the screen on the controller or the device you are using to control the drone, as well as to look for fish while flying above so you are able to scout and find the bass wherever they may be.

A lot of drones on the market today are equipped with high-quality cameras which you can then use to scan or scout the area below the drone to find bass.

Drone Casting

Drone casting is the most popular form of drone fishing and used by many enthusiasts around the world. This is because it makes the act of casting your fishing line a lot easier and a lot more convenient by letting the drone do all the work.

If you are going to use a drone to cast your line, then the distance of your cast is basically only limited to two things:

  • The length of your line.
  • The maximum range of the drone you are using.

This is basically a method to expand your reach when fishing. This allows many who might be beginners to be able to take the key skill in fishing, which is casting your line, and remove it from the equation.

What makes this method controversial and what makes more experienced fishermen view it as unethical, is the fact that because a drone has a camera and you can see through that camera, you can basically drop your line directly where the fish are and cut your fishing time in half!

This is possible by using payload release systems that you can buy from third parties or make your own to attach to your drone.

Drone angler catches bass with DJI Drone.

Drone Casting And Pulling

What some drone anglers have had the guts to do is something very close to drone casting but with a slight twist!

Instead of simply dropping your bait or lure where the fish are, they have decided to keep the line attached to the drone and just use the drone to pull the fish back to them

Why did I say that they had the guts to do this? Simply because from my knowledge, fish fight back when you try to reel them in, and using this method is very risky as you may end up fishing for your drone instead of bass!

Not that it isn’t possible, because it definitely is, but it’s risky because it will all depend on the size of your drone and the size of the bass.

As convenient as this method is for many anglers, it is highly controversial to many. Many experienced anglers find this method unfair and unethical, as it makes it far too easy to catch more fish for those who have the money and resources.

8 Tips And Tricks When Drone Fishing For Bass

Video of fellow angler talking about what lures and bait to use.

1. Practice

We have all heard the saying “practice makes perfect”, and this is extremely applicable to fishing for bass with your drone! All you can do in order to get better at fishing is just keep going out and getting more experience.

The same goes for flying drones, you need to get it out of the box and start flying it. You need to get a feel for it and familiarize yourself with the drone’s range and battery life.

Now, when it comes to drone fishing, you have to combine the skills needed for both activities, and keep practicing until you get it just right!

2. Get The Right Drone

Most people try to go the low budget option and just look for a drone that will go a couple of feet from the boat or the shore and drop their bait. A lot of these low budget options involve people trying to use toy drones for drone fishing.

Well, I don’t think this is the route you should go. You need a good drone that is able to travel quite the distance if you want to make drone fishing worth it.

If you are going to use a drone that can only go a few feet then you might as well just cast that distance yourself. You also need the drone to have a long flight time to help hover over the areas where the bass might be without the battery running out too quickly.

Besides, you can always use a drone for other functions besides fishing, so you don’t need to go the low budget route for something you will be able to use for other things besides fishing.

Drone fishing is also very demanding and the lower quality drones will not be able to hold up. Especially if you are going to try casting and pulling bass, then you definitely need a bigger, sturdier drone with a bit more rotor power.

3. Keep Your Hook Sharp

Try to use a file to sharpen your hooks every time you catch a fish and before every trip.

It takes 30 seconds. Bass are fish that have boney jaws, so a sharp hook is needed in order to penetrate the fish.

4. Face the Wind

Usually, this would mean sacrificing some distance in your casts.

I suggest doing this when drone fishing and fish with the wind in your face. Why?

Using your drone to cast means that you will not lose any distance on your cast either. You will only be limited by your drones range.

Because bass always swims with the current, it’s better for them to find your bait before they find your boat—this is if you are on a boat. Plus, the noise of water slapping your hull will carry away from the spot you’re fishing, which is good!

5. You Need to Bug The Bass

Bass is a grumpy fish. You have to keep tapping at it to upset it into biting your hook. Bass position themselves in cover, and prefer the lure presented to them at different angles. I even suggest placing a lure in the same spot many times until finally getting a bite.

6. Fish Shallow in the Spring

Concentrate on shallow areas, especially in pockets and coves protected from the wind because this is where they like to guard their eggs.

Like I said before, they are grumpy fish, if you bug them with that lure they will bite as much out of irritation with the lure as they will out of hunger.

7. Time

The best time to catch bass is typically early morning from dawn at around 6 am until around 8 am and then late afternoon from 5:30 pm until dusk. There is some seasonal variability that does play a factor, but dawn and dusk are generally the best times to catch bass. 

Most anglers suggest fishing for bass in the spring time.

8. Lures and Tackle

The type of lures and tackle that you use is very important. Things like the color of the lure will really go a long way!

Red or pink lures and hooks can trick the fish into thinking the bait is injured and entice them to bite at it.

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