Fun experiment...MAYBE

Myself and a group of guys will be coming down 04/20/2016-04/24/2016. I have a quad-copter "drone" with live video feed, GPS, waypoints, and an attachment that allows dropping live bait directly under the camera view or wherever needed. 1st question is it legal to launch from the pier or has this been tried before. I realize this would only be possible in times of slow traffic "very early morning...dusk, or night". I figured it would be a cool experiment to try and see a ling or two on camera that couldn't be spotted from the pier and drop the bait in front of them. Or just to take baits out further than you can cast. I'm not going to charge to drop baits, just hoping for some pointers in return...how to filet certain fish, am I using the proper rig..etc. I sure hope it's legal cause I've been wanting to try. I guess I could always do it from shore if it's not ok to do on the pier. Thanks

As you have said, not in times of high traffic. I would really, really like to see you do this, BUT, if it became a popular activity, I can imagine any of several issues of drones on a fishing pier. Somewhere on here is a thread where several folks thought that it could become a pay for service. Keeps us in on what y'all find out.

New guidelines today from FAA. Open areas and fields still allowed. Interpretation between commercial and recreation not understandable to this old plumber.

I am not positive but I don't think there is a rule on the books. But since it would be operating from state property you probably be subject to the ALDOT UAV policies which make almost impossible for a state agency to operate drones.
And if it's not clearly against park rules, I bet it would be the day after your first flight.

I'm still looking for an easy to fly, affordable drone that can reliably operate day/night, buck winds up to 15mph, travel 1000 yards off the beach and carry/drop up to a 10# payload.
So far I'm still relying on young men with more stamina than I to run baits in a kayak.

Got a commercial UAV license?? Ha! Just kidding. But knowing the FAA there's bound to be policy letter or Advisory Circular. They have poke their finger in everybody's eye. And don't forget the FAA moto: "We're not happy until your not happy".

There was a drone flying over the pier several times one day last year...

micdesigns photography (Michael Thomas) uses a drone in GS OB and has posted several pictures on his Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/micdesigns/...type=3&theater

Those suckers can be hard to hit when they're moving around above treetop level. I may have to start carrying a couple of loads of magnum goose shot. Just in case.

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Originally Posted by Pier#r

There was a drone flying over the pier several times one day last year...

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Yes, but did it launch from the pier???
I think that is the big question.

Another issue is landing at low speeds. A good wind gust and over the side it goes. Better be quick with the joystick to recover before it hits the water!

I had thought about rigging up a phantom drone for just such a thing. Live video and a bait release. and 1$ a run. My issues were 1: the wind gusts 2: googans casting in the general area could hit it with a sabiki 3: angry seabirds attacking it 4: being sky'd on by a king wanting the cargo 5: battery life to actually get more than a few good drops would be marginal 6: say the bite turns on and my drone is 200 yards out, i'm stuck flying, while fisherman are catching.

It would be cool for an experiment. I think you should give it a shot. if you could locate some of the reefs you could drop near them and probably catch some nice fish.

The idea of looking for ling is a good one except for battery life. Another problem for me would be screen resolution, but you young folks can see better than us old farts. I have worked several occasions with someone using one of those, a fairly high end $1500 model and it is not bothered at all by 20-25 mph winds (maybe more, but I have witnessed that).

You could partly solve the problem of traffic by taking off vertically from behind the red lines with the bait, although you would still have to drape the line over other lines and people casting. The one I have seen can use GPS to maintain a constant X-Y while the "Z" is being varied and automatically retraces to home if the battery gets low.

I will check around as much as possible before attempting. As far as wind gust, as long as it is 20mph or under it will be fine. It has a GPS, so I can let go of the joystick, go to the bath room, and when I get back it we be in the same location...I've tried it. The googan dilemma worries me more than anything, but if it works fine if not I guess I will just have to fish..LOL

Also I have a DJI Phantom 3 Advanced with 4 batteries. 20-22 minutes a battery. I can also hand launch it and retrieve it with a buddy assisting.

You may be ok with the googan issue early in the am whilst assisting king fishers and such. can you rig a multiple line rig? like holding 2-3 lines drop #1 11oclock @ 150yards, #2 at 12oclock @ 150-175 and #3 at 1-2oclock at 150 yards. that would be easy if the rod holders just stayed put while their lines were in transit.

Mr. Cleland, multiple lines would be great, but that's a tangle up/ cluster **** waiting to happen. I have practiced at a pond and can take a line out to approximately 200 yards drop and have the drone back in 2-3 minutes.

Mr Cleland,
I understand what you mean by the term "the googan issue". However if you think about it, wouldn't someone deploying a drone from the pier quickly become the googan if it interfered with anyone experienced or not?

As far as the idea of using a drone from the pier goes, use it as an observation tool not bait deployment. Save the fun experiment for the surf or a bank where you may need a little to a lot of distance. You can catch plenty enough kings right up against the pier without casting at all. It may be good for cobia fishing, but why would you need a pier? Also how would the cobia fishermen, that put in their time to hone their casting and spotting skills, recieve it.

DRH: that is some deep thought right there! the one who fears a googan, becoming the googan!! :)

I think you could possibly enhance a already fun challenge with the ling. may be able to spot some that normally would go unseen.

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Originally Posted by DRH

You can catch plenty enough kings right up against the pier without casting at all.

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That's for sure. The pier is a fish magnet. On the other hand, while I've hooked more kings close to the pier, if it is too close on a crowded day the line tangles become a major issue.