Drone fishing for newbies
I’ve started Drone fishing as a newbie, paid my school fees. So I thought I’d share my knowledge and experience. I’ve been “Drone†fishing for the past 2 Years. Started off with a CutaCopter Revo 3, used it for about a year and a half then upgrade to the new Revo 25 Cuta Copter. I’ve drop about 500 baits.
I will be going through Drones, Tackle, Traces and Baits.
Note the prices I use is estimates, it will depend where you shop
Drone options that I know of. R10 000 to R35 000
Cuta Copter Raggie (1.2kg Lift)
Cuta Copter Revo 3.3 (2kg Lift)
Cuta Copter Revo 25 (3kg Lift)
DJI needs an extra bait dropper device.
DJI Phantoms 3 (500g Lift)
DJI Phantoms 4 (500g Lift)
DJI Phantoms Mavic pro (500g Lift)
Splash Drone 3 (1kg Lift)
Note – This is approximately Lift weight (use at own risk read the user manuals)
Choosing a drone is up to you, I wanted the lift power to get big baits out for non Eds. What is your needs?
Tips and Tricks for Drones
*The best and most valuable tip with a Drone is “Don’t take chancesâ€
*Keep your eye on the drone at all times and you finger on the bait drop button.
*Wait for Green light and never ignore Red light
*Don’t overload your Drone
*Make sure you have enough battery power to do a return flight.
*When flying in against the Wind remember you will use more battery power.
*When flying with the Wind make sure the Wind isn’t too strong to return the Drone after a drop, we have had close calls were the drone struggles to return against the strong wind.
*Keep your drone clean and services regularly. At least every 6 months depending on use.
*Get Drone insurance
 
Tackle Options (Non Eds)
This is my suggestions there are other great options available in the market.
Budget Spinning Setup: (R4500)
Rod: Okuma Metaloid 13.6†6-8Oz (R2000)
Rod: Loomis Franklin ShockWave HMG 14 – 5-7Oz (R2000)
Reel: Okuma Metaloid 90 Spinning reel (R2000) http://www.alanhawk.com/blog/mtd.html
Line: +- 550m 50lbs Grinder Braid (R500)
Budget Casting Setup: (R4500)
Rod: Loomis Franklin ShockWave HMG 14†7-9Oz (R2000)
Reel: Shimano Torium 30 / Daiwa Saltist BG 40/50 / Penn Fathom 40 – Second hand would be your cheapest option (R1500-R2500)
Line: 40-50lbs 500m Backing with .55 Top Shot +-200m (R500)
Option 1 Lever Drag: (R6500)
Rod: Shimano Technium Surf Elite Heavy 7-9/8-10Oz (R2800)
Reel: Okuma SLX 30 2speed (R3000)
Line: 900m 80lbs Grinder Braid (R700)
Option 2 Lever Drag: (R7500)
Rod: Shimano Technium Surf Elite Heavy 7-9/8-10Oz (R2800)
Reel: Shimano Tyrnos 30 2speed (R4000)
Line: 900m 80lbs Grinder Braid (R700)
Option 3 Lever Drag: (R11000)
Rod: Blue Marlin Bronzie (R+-5000)
Reel: Shimano Tyrnos 50 2speed (R5000)
Line: 1000m 100lbs Grinder Braid (R700) + .80 Topshot (R300)
Spinning Options: (R9000)
Rod: Okuma Makaira 15†7-9Oz (R3500)
Reel: Penn Slammer 3 9500 (R4800)
Reel: Shimano Saragosa 20000/25000 (R4800)
Line: Penn Slammer 3 9500 +- 670m 65lbs or +-730m 50lbs Grinder Braid (R700)
Line: Shimano Saragosa 20000 +- 600m 65lbs Grinder Braid (R700)
Line: Shimano Saragosa 25000 +- 900m 80lbs Grinder Braid (R700)
What I use:
Setup 1
Rod: Shimano Technium Surf Elite Heavy 8-10Oz
Reel: Shimano Tyrnos 30 2speed
Line: 900m 80lbs Boss Slick Braid
Setup 2
Rod: Shimano Technium Surf Elite Heavy 8-10Oz Changed to Spinning Guides.
Reel: Shimano Saragosa 25000
Line: 900m 80lbs Grinder Braid
Setup 3
Rod: Blue Marlin Super slim 7-9Oz
Reel: Shimano Saragosa 20000
Line: 600m 65lbs Grinder Braid
Knots
This is what I use:
Braid to Braid
-Double uni knot
-Bimini + Double Cat’s paw
Mono to Braid
-Bimini + Double Cat’s paw
-Double uni knot
Mono Leader to Braid Main line
-FG Knot
-Double uni knot
-Windon Leader with Cat’s paw
The following link can be used for more info
https://www.sportfishingmag.com/top-fishing-knots-from-seven-professional-skippers
Leaders
Braided: Boss Leader braid 200-250lbs (R90 for 50m)
Mono: T-Line Game Leaders 1.4mm to 2mm (R170 for 100m)
Traces
Terminal Tackle used:
Power Swivels:
3/0 King Fisher (R50 for 10)
Hooks:
12/0 Land-It 4x Heavy Duty (R15 for 3)
12/0 to 18/0 Circles (Mustad, Eagle Claw)
Steel:
FishMate or Centro 200/250lbs (R70 for 10m)
Thimbles:
Plastic from Big Catch (R250 for 500)
Drone Trace 1 (Non Eds)
From the image(1) below you can see there is two power swivels, the reason for that is it gives your bait better maneuverability in busier water. I’ve found that I get less tangles rigging it this way.
Drone Trace 2 (Non Eds)
Drone Trace 3 (Non Eds)
Tip: Use a Circle Hook where possible and Bend those barbs closed on all hooks
More Info:
Options for getting bigger baits out with lower lift power.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIojo1VM26c
More great info from other anglers:
ASFN Drone Fishing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MM96BRhkYbo
East Coast Angling Guides – Extreme Heavy Tackle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwtwhoWQ5KI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiUlZNMqo2Y
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrFZ8XiV274
Baits
Some Pics of the baits I use for Non Eds
[align=center]With the use of PROUDHOOK
Welcome to check my report on Proudhook
http://www.sealine.co.za/view_topic.php?id=110538&forum_id=1
[/align]
[align=center]IF YOU ARE IN CAPE TOWN
JOIN OUR MADFIN SOCIAL DRONE CLUB FOR ASSISTANCE, TRAINING, FISHING BUDDIES AND MONTHLY COMPETITIONS
madfindronecomps@gmail.com
[/align]
My last tip
In your 1st few outings try and join guys with experience that can assist you where needed it will make your experience much better and less chance of loosing a fish or your Drone
I’ve started Drone fishing as a newbie, paid my school fees. So I thought I’d share my knowledge and experience. I’ve been “Drone†fishing for the past 2 Years. Started off with a CutaCopter Revo 3, used it for about a year and a half then upgrade to the new Revo 25 Cuta Copter. I’ve drop about 500 baits.
I will be going through Drones, Tackle, Traces and Baits.
Note the prices I use is estimates, it will depend where you shop
Drone options that I know of. R10 000 to R35 000
Cuta Copter Raggie (1.2kg Lift)
Cuta Copter Revo 3.3 (2kg Lift)
Cuta Copter Revo 25 (3kg Lift)
DJI needs an extra bait dropper device.
DJI Phantoms 3 (500g Lift)
DJI Phantoms 4 (500g Lift)
DJI Phantoms Mavic pro (500g Lift)
Splash Drone 3 (1kg Lift)
Note – This is approximately Lift weight (use at own risk read the user manuals)
Choosing a drone is up to you, I wanted the lift power to get big baits out for non Eds. What is your needs?
Tips and Tricks for Drones
*The best and most valuable tip with a Drone is “Don’t take chancesâ€
*Keep your eye on the drone at all times and you finger on the bait drop button.
*Wait for Green light and never ignore Red light
*Don’t overload your Drone
*Make sure you have enough battery power to do a return flight.
*When flying in against the Wind remember you will use more battery power.
*When flying with the Wind make sure the Wind isn’t too strong to return the Drone after a drop, we have had close calls were the drone struggles to return against the strong wind.
*Keep your drone clean and services regularly. At least every 6 months depending on use.
*Get Drone insurance
 
Tackle Options (Non Eds)
This is my suggestions there are other great options available in the market.
Budget Spinning Setup: (R4500)
Rod: Okuma Metaloid 13.6†6-8Oz (R2000)
Rod: Loomis Franklin ShockWave HMG 14 – 5-7Oz (R2000)
Reel: Okuma Metaloid 90 Spinning reel (R2000) http://www.alanhawk.com/blog/mtd.html
Line: +- 550m 50lbs Grinder Braid (R500)
Budget Casting Setup: (R4500)
Rod: Loomis Franklin ShockWave HMG 14†7-9Oz (R2000)
Reel: Shimano Torium 30 / Daiwa Saltist BG 40/50 / Penn Fathom 40 – Second hand would be your cheapest option (R1500-R2500)
Line: 40-50lbs 500m Backing with .55 Top Shot +-200m (R500)
Option 1 Lever Drag: (R6500)
Rod: Shimano Technium Surf Elite Heavy 7-9/8-10Oz (R2800)
Reel: Okuma SLX 30 2speed (R3000)
Line: 900m 80lbs Grinder Braid (R700)
Option 2 Lever Drag: (R7500)
Rod: Shimano Technium Surf Elite Heavy 7-9/8-10Oz (R2800)
Reel: Shimano Tyrnos 30 2speed (R4000)
Line: 900m 80lbs Grinder Braid (R700)
Option 3 Lever Drag: (R11000)
Rod: Blue Marlin Bronzie (R+-5000)
Reel: Shimano Tyrnos 50 2speed (R5000)
Line: 1000m 100lbs Grinder Braid (R700) + .80 Topshot (R300)
Spinning Options: (R9000)
Rod: Okuma Makaira 15†7-9Oz (R3500)
Reel: Penn Slammer 3 9500 (R4800)
Reel: Shimano Saragosa 20000/25000 (R4800)
Line: Penn Slammer 3 9500 +- 670m 65lbs or +-730m 50lbs Grinder Braid (R700)
Line: Shimano Saragosa 20000 +- 600m 65lbs Grinder Braid (R700)
Line: Shimano Saragosa 25000 +- 900m 80lbs Grinder Braid (R700)
What I use:
Setup 1
Rod: Shimano Technium Surf Elite Heavy 8-10Oz
Reel: Shimano Tyrnos 30 2speed
Line: 900m 80lbs Boss Slick Braid
Setup 2
Rod: Shimano Technium Surf Elite Heavy 8-10Oz Changed to Spinning Guides.
Reel: Shimano Saragosa 25000
Line: 900m 80lbs Grinder Braid
Setup 3
Rod: Blue Marlin Super slim 7-9Oz
Reel: Shimano Saragosa 20000
Line: 600m 65lbs Grinder Braid
Knots
This is what I use:
Braid to Braid
-Double uni knot
-Bimini + Double Cat’s paw
Mono to Braid
-Bimini + Double Cat’s paw
-Double uni knot
Mono Leader to Braid Main line
-FG Knot
-Double uni knot
-Windon Leader with Cat’s paw
The following link can be used for more info
https://www.sportfishingmag.com/top-fishing-knots-from-seven-professional-skippers
Leaders
Braided: Boss Leader braid 200-250lbs (R90 for 50m)
Mono: T-Line Game Leaders 1.4mm to 2mm (R170 for 100m)
Traces
Terminal Tackle used:
Power Swivels:
3/0 King Fisher (R50 for 10)
Hooks:
12/0 Land-It 4x Heavy Duty (R15 for 3)
12/0 to 18/0 Circles (Mustad, Eagle Claw)
Steel:
FishMate or Centro 200/250lbs (R70 for 10m)
Thimbles:
Plastic from Big Catch (R250 for 500)
Drone Trace 1 (Non Eds)
From the image(1) below you can see there is two power swivels, the reason for that is it gives your bait better maneuverability in busier water. I’ve found that I get less tangles rigging it this way.
Drone Trace 2 (Non Eds)
Drone Trace 3 (Non Eds)
Tip: Use a Circle Hook where possible and Bend those barbs closed on all hooks
More Info:
Options for getting bigger baits out with lower lift power.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIojo1VM26c
More great info from other anglers:
ASFN Drone Fishing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MM96BRhkYbo
East Coast Angling Guides – Extreme Heavy Tackle
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwtwhoWQ5KI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiUlZNMqo2Y
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrFZ8XiV274
Baits
Some Pics of the baits I use for Non Eds
[align=center]With the use of PROUDHOOK
Welcome to check my report on Proudhook
http://www.sealine.co.za/view_topic.php?id=110538&forum_id=1
[/align]
[align=center]IF YOU ARE IN CAPE TOWN
JOIN OUR MADFIN SOCIAL DRONE CLUB FOR ASSISTANCE, TRAINING, FISHING BUDDIES AND MONTHLY COMPETITIONS
madfindronecomps@gmail.com
[/align]
My last tip
In your 1st few outings try and join guys with experience that can assist you where needed it will make your experience much better and less chance of loosing a fish or your Drone