Keep Fishing Safe – Don’t Ban Responsible Drone Use

The new Texas Wildlife Protection Plan is considering a ban on fishing drones, including waterproof fishing drones such as the SwellPro FD3.

This ban is being proposed despite clear evidence that drones provide one of the safest, most efficient, and most environmentally friendly ways to deploy baits offshore without risking human life.

This petition asks Texas Parks & Wildlife to allow regulated, responsible drone use, instead of imposing a total ban that harms anglers, families, small businesses, and content creators.

Why This Matters

1. Kayaks and Jet Skis Are Proven Dangerous in the Surf Zone

Using kayaks or jet skis to drop bait offshore exposes anglers to well-documented risks:

Paddlesport accidents (kayaks, canoes, paddleboards) caused 331 accidents and 202 deaths in 2020.
Source: Water Sports Foundation (WSF), 2020 Paddlesports Safety Report.
86% of drowning victims in boating accidents were not wearing life jackets.
Source: WSF Boating Safety Fact Sheet.
Jet-ski and PWC accidents involve high rates of collision injuries and fall-related trauma.
Source: WiFiTalents — Jet Ski Accident Statistics.
Rip currents, common on Texas beaches, are a leading cause of beach rescues and drownings.
Source: NOAA – Rip Current Safety.

These are exactly the dangers surf anglers face when paddling baits out.

Fishing drones remove these risks completely

2. Fishing Drones Are the Safest Way to Deploy Offshore Baits

Drones such as the SwellPro FD3 allow anglers to:

Stay fully on land
Avoid ocean hazards entirely
Drop bait hundreds of yards offshore with precision

This protects:

Families
Older anglers
Beginners
Anyone with limited swimming ability
Anyone who cannot safely paddle or operate a PWC

No water entry = no drowning risk.

No boat in surf = no capsizing or collision risk.

3. Fishing Drones Reduce Environmental Impact

Drones: Avoid damaging dunes, grass beds, or shallow ecosystems
Do not leak fuel or oil
Do not physically enter wildlife habitat
Reduce human foot traffic into sensitive coastal zones Fly quickly and minimize wildlife disturbance They are cleaner and safer for the environment.

4. Banning Drones Hurts Local Content Creators, YouTubers, and TikTokers

Texas has a growing community of:

Fishing YouTubers

TikTok creators

Outdoor educators

Drone-fishing videographers

Small family fishing brands

Many of these creators use drones responsibly to:

Capture safe, controlled overhead footage
Avoid dangerous situations for filming
Create educational fishing content
Support their families through ad revenue, sponsorships, and sales
Grow small businesses (local tackle shops, charter services, fishing guides, etc.)

A drone ban would mean:

 Less fishing content

 Fewer safe filming options

Less opportunity to document the Texas coast

Loss of revenue for creators who depend on drone footage

Reduced educational content for young anglers

Loss of income for families who rely on YouTube/TikTok earnings

For many creators, drones are not toys — they are tools that help them feed their families.

Banning drones is not just a wildlife policy issue…

It is an issue of economic survival for Texas fishing creators.

5. A Full Ban Punishes the Responsible, Not the Irresponsible

Most drone-fishing anglers:

Follow FAA rules
Stay away from birds
Avoid flying over people
Only fly a few minutes at a time
Use purpose-built fishing drones like SwellPro

A total ban targets responsible anglers and creators instead of addressing the real problem: abuse or misuse of drones by a small minority.

What We Are Asking For

We request Texas Parks & Wildlife: 

Reject a full ban on fishing drones

Allow fishing drones under regulated, sensible rules

Create guidelines or a permit system including:

Minimum distance from wildlife
No flying over crowds
Beach-only launch sites
Height/distance limits
Drone-fishing certification or permit

A balanced approach protects wildlife and protects Texas coastal communities.

Conclusion

Fishing drones like the SwellPro FD3 protect:

Human lives
Local businesses
Environmental health
Texas tourism
Content creators who rely on drone fishing videos
Families who depend on YouTube and TikTok income

Texas anglers deserve regulation, not elimination.

Sign this petition to keep drone fishing safe, legal, and available to both anglers and creators.