Are you a fisherman who has found yourself frustrated with surfcasting because that sweet spot just outside your casting range eludes you? You may have tried your hand at the kite or the kontiki, which will get your line to where you want it, only to lose it all in the surf.

Perhaps Its time you turned your attention to Drone Fishing - the new trend which is fast gaining momentum.

Already popular overseas, a group of friends here in New Zealand decided to give it a go.

“It was a lot of trial and error to begin with,” says Jnr, one of the creators of Drone Fishing New Zealand.

“We kitted out all kinds of drones, and experimented to get our lines out further.

” Jnr explains that the drones are a great alternative to using a kite or kontiki, or even a boat.

“The drones aren’t cumbersome and can fit into your car easily.

They make fishing more accessible.

”How do they work? The drones themselves are only used for casting the line, and are not involved in pulling the line back into shore.

The line is attached to the drone on the beach, and sent out off shore where the drone then releases it.

“You are only limited by how much weight the drone can carry and how much line you have available,” says Jnr.

“I like to have a kilometre of 50-pound braid and drop the line no further than 300 metres.

”The DJI Phantom drone, which is the most commonly used drone for fishing, has many practical features.

If the drone sets off and realises that it is running low on power it will return.

“The drone isn’t going to go off shore 500 metres and not have the battery power to get back,” says Jnr.

It will also let you know if you’ve overloaded it, and it will always return to its home point.

It has its own altitude hold capability, auto landing and vision positioning sensors.

What will it cost? A new Phantom drone will cost you about $1100.

“There are always a few second-hand ones available on sites like Trademe for around $600-$700,” says Jnr.

For the Phantom, a separate release mechanism is required which you can pick up for about $250.

Jnr recommends those made by Fern tech or Dronecast as they are NZ made.

There are also Drones especially made for drone fishing such as the Aerokontiki, which retails at $6000, and the Splashdrone, which you can purchase for $2000.

What will it catch?“We have been catching plenty of Snapper, Kahawai, Kingfish and even John Dory,” says Jnr.

“Most days we seem to be catching more than the people out in their boats.

”Drone Fishing New Zealand is a Facebook page Jnr and several of his friends, including Gareth Williams, have set up to help others that are interested in giving drone fishing a go.

You will find all the advice you need to get started and locate “spot X” - an area of water that drone fisherman are referring to as the ideal place to drop the line.

You will also find tips on Navionics, water depths and what to look for, and advice on making your own affordable rod holders.

There is also advice on where and where not to fly your drone.

Check them out on Facebook, via Drone Fishing New Zealand.