I totally agree with what has been said about drones.
I have actually been “stalked” or watched by a drone when trout fishing in the NE Ga mountains. I had no idea anyone was anywhere near me. I caught a glimpse of movement and looked to find a drone hovering about 20 yards away. I was surprised and had to think about what was happening for a moment. It hovered for a few moments, then I raised my hand in a “go away” type movement and it rose above the tree line and was gone. The more I thought about it, the more pissed I got.
Drones may be good in a search and rescue or search and recover. But to stalk or watch someone, it ought to be drone season and you have every right to take out the offending mechanical contraption.
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You have to be in the right spot for sidescan and sonar to help you. You can be miles away from finding fish and get on them with a drone.
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@Brandon
I know how it all works. I’m just saying it’s kind of like cheating but I understand if someone can’t find fish, they need to rely on something other then themselves especially if they’re getting paid to find fish, guiding or commercial fishing 
Amateurs like myself will continue to waste fuel in an attempt to find fish😎
PS
Makes me wonder “how’d the guys fishing before drones find fish”
?
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Remind me not to pi$$ you off on the water… LOL
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Those guys seem to be really good fisherman but they also seem to be really in love with trying to become famous so anytime they get a chance to do something out there and post it they do without considering the repercussions it seems.
Sadly fwc won’t really do anything about the tarpon being taken out of the water in the panhandle. I’ve reported on some really flagrant multiple violations in by the same captain the past and while fwc said they contracted the captain and gave him a verbal warning but they won’t do more than that because they say they have no way of knowing the fish was over 40”. Even though there is a 5-6’ person holding them for size reference.
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I just left a message with Fox10 News Room regarding this piece and urged them to run a retraction.
It’ll be interesting to see if they admit their mistake in publicizing the use of the drone to spot the fish and make the catch.
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Wouldn’t hold my breath on that Zika🙄
I’m not.
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Sure dont hold your breath, but i for one appreciate your efforts! These news programs are ignorant to laws and regulations much less angler ethics. This newer generation, some of older has embraced it as well, trying to make a living from this “influencer” ■■■■■■■■ is getting old. There are brands i avoid specifically because of the folks they support.
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yeah no worries. The bait guys use it around Tampa like crazy to find fish on the bridges. Which at least I can wrap my head around the fact that they still have to be there.
There’s a few dudes live scoping tarpon around Florida too. Technology really elevated the results for a couple of guides that couldn’t find their way out of a paper bag prior to having it. Unfortunately, as mentioned, until enforcement catches up with policy it’ll continue to be an issue.
I have a feeling Florida is too far behind the 8-ball on the drone thing. Nothing will happen until someone gets hurt.
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I shared this story on the other site. I was covering the billfish tournament in Biloxi when an inexperienced drone operator crashed it into the crowd gathered on the pool deck at the kick-off meeting. The blades hit a young woman in the upper face and cut her badly. Needed more than 20 stitches, just missed blinding her and resulted in plastic surgery and a lawsuit.
Besides the ethics, being around those whirlybirds is downright dangerous.
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There is a lot of potential for misuse with UAV technology, but there is also a lot of benefit that can be derived. At least here in Texas, there were many abuses committed out of ignorance, and many folks bought them without a thought about rules, etiquette, or the consequences of irresponsible operation. We don’t turn new drivers loose in automobiles without prior education and we (hopefully) don’t turn new shooters loose with firearms without prior education. The same should apply to UAVs. I know several folks who have bought UAVs and none of them were required to undergo any sort of education prior to operating them. They were unaware of any regulations or of who creates and/or enforces those regulations. I think that with the popularity of UAVs there needs to be an introductory course of regulations and operating protocols – with a test for confirmation – required prior to purchase. I wish I had a dollar for every “Can I shoot down a drone spying on my house / yard / pool” phone call we got a the PD when those things got popular and affordable. I realize that some people will disregard the rules and regulations anyway; just look at how many people drive stupid on the highways. But I do believe that forcing people to learn the rules prior to purchase would preclude a lot of the nonsense that we see and hear about. I have a brother in law who resides in a gated subdivision with their own private airstrip, built for residents only. I went by there one evening to pick up him and his wife for dinner, and we were watching a light plane approach the strip in the dusk. Some fool was flying a drone over the approach, and in the fading light there was no way for the approaching pilot to see it from above. He missed it, but that sure could have caused a lot of damage and serious injury or death. Scary…
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Too bad there’s no certification necessary to operate a boat…
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Those with kids correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe there is a boating course required for juniors in Florida. Many of them probably have more sense than some of the adults behind the wheel/tiller.
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Anyone born after 1988 (I think) is required to take a course to operate a boat in the state of Florida. There’s an exact cutoff date I’m sure you can google it. I think its a good idea. I grew up on boats and so learned the old fashioned way but I had help and supervision and was never put in a situation that I was not prepared for. I should probably get my son “certified” but I admittedly let him drive my boat and my dad’s at times, learning just like I did. I will not let him dock it without me breathing down his neck, but he’s starting to get the hang of it. Out in the open, he does fine and is super careful (like I was).
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Yep, looked it up. January 1, 1988, so doesn’t apply just to junior boaters. Required for 10-hp or more and certification doesn’t expire.
I may be teaching said course in Port Charlotte over weekends in the fall.
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Between the drone fishing, YouTubers, kids that fish Robbie’s and any other fish cleaning station get the hell outa here bruh. Put some work in
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Wonder if drone use drops precipitously during duck season? 
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They couldn’t it a drone anyway…
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