🚁 Drone Fishing — Is It Legal?

Short answer: drone fishing is prohibited in South Africa. The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE, formerly DAFF) does not permit the use of drones to deploy baits, tow lines, spot fish or otherwise assist angling in South African marine waters.

On top of that, recreational drone flying is separately regulated by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA), and drone use is restricted or banned in national parks, nature reserves and many coastal management areas along the Garden Route.

Why the rules exist: drone-deploying baits far beyond casting range was seen to give an unfair advantage, increase pressure on already-stressed linefish stocks, and raise safety and privacy concerns on busy beaches.

The bottom line for Garden Route anglers: don't use a drone to fish anywhere on this coast. Stick to casting, and if you want to reach deeper water, fish the spots where deep water comes close to shore — many of our rock and surf marks put you on top of the fish without any need for a drone.