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Christmas delivered something a little different for us this year, with the arrival of our own SwellPro Fisherman FD3 Waterproof Drone. From the outset, this was a drone we were keen to put to work both editorially and recreationally, with the added bonus of the occasional fishing mission when the weather is too rough to get out by boat.
Scrolling through the many drone-fishing sites, I discovered other applications where these payload-carrying drones were useful, including launch and retrieve techniques from a boat, casting into shallows that cannot be reached from a boat or from land, and targeting difficult to reach species. There has also been a case where a PFD was deployed to a rock fisherman who had been washed off the rocks.
When shopping around, the SwellPro Fisherman FD3 positioned itself as one of the safest and easiest to use fishing drones for use in marine conditions. After spending time flying it in real-world coastal conditions, we can say that, so far, it has genuinely lived up to the hype and the claims made by the manufacturer.
The FD3 feels like a thoughtful evolution of SwellPro’s earlier fishing drones rather than a simple update. In use, it blends the power efficiency we’ve seen in the FD1 with the user-friendly nature of the SplashDrone 4, while adding another layer of safety refinement. It’s a drone that feels purpose-built for anglers but also works well as a practical aerial platform for capturing editorial imagery and video for our publishing needs. The inclusion of a 4K camera system and dual payload bait release makes it clear this is designed to do more than just look the part.
One of the first things that stands out in real-world use is the FD3’s lifting ability. With a rated bait capacity of up to 2.2kg, it has shown no hesitation carrying heavier payloads offshore. That confidence comes from a high-capacity 6S battery, high-thrust motors and large carbon fibre propellers, and even when loaded, the drone remains stable and predictable in flight.
Battery efficiency has also been impressive early on. SwellPro claims up to 5-6 bait drops per charge, depending on the weight and distance dropped, and in practice, that doesn’t feel unrealistic. The new ESCs deliver a strong power to payload ratio, making multiple drops on a single battery a genuine possibility rather than a marketing promise.
Setup is refreshingly simple. The Fisherman FD3 is factory-calibrated, meaning there’s no need for compass or sensor calibration on the beach. It’s essentially a case of powering up and flying, which makes a big difference when conditions are changing or time is limited.
Safety features are clearly a major focus. The FD3 will automatically release its payload and return to shore if the battery runs low or the signal is lost, which adds a reassuring safety net when flying over surf zones or deeper water. Combined with the latest 9th-generation GPS system, positioning and stability are noticeably improved, and hovering is impressively rock solid.
Being new to flying drones, I was a little hesitant at first, but the controls themselves are deliberately softened, reducing sensitivity and making the drone feel forgiving rather than twitchy. This approach significantly lowers the learning curve and should appeal to other boaties and anglers new to drones. Even in less than ideal conditions, the FD3 feels calm and controlled rather than demanding constant correction.
SwellPro has also reworked the flight controller specifically for fishing applications. Advanced algorithms help maintain stability while flying with a baited line, and the system is designed to better resist interference, temperature changes and vibration. In practice, it all adds up to a drone that feels composed and dependable.
As you’d expect from a purpose-built fishing drone, the FD3 is designed to live in a marine environment. It’s IPX5 water-resistant, has been dunk-tested, and is built from marine-grade ABS. The motors, electronics and bait release are all corrosion protected, which inspires confidence when operating in salt spray and coastal air.
A particularly clever feature is the FD3’s self-floating design. If it lands on the water, it stays afloat and can be controlled to take off again. If it capsizes, a simple joystick command flips it upright, allowing a clean water take-off and a return to shore. It’s one of those features you hope you never need, but it’s reassuring to know it works.
Wind handling has also been better than expected. With a Level 6 wind resistance rating (a wind speed of roughly 22-25 knots / 39-45 km/h) and GPS assistance, the FD3 can maintain position and altitude in winds up to 25 knots. Sensible judgment still applies, but the drone feels more capable in breezy conditions than many conventional drones.
The FD3 remote controller is clearly designed with anglers in mind. It has a comfortable, game console style layout, well labelled buttons and a clean interface. On-screen telemetry, live video feedback and voice alerts provide good situational awareness, while the splash and sand resistant construction suits beach use. The built-in colour display showing live 720p footage means there’s no need to rely on a phone or tablet.
The supplied 4K stabilised camera produces sharp photos and smooth video, and the ability to tilt the camera remotely makes it easy to scan water conditions, reefs and structure. For land-based anglers, that live aerial view can be genuinely useful, not just visually impressive.
The mobile phone FDFly app adds another layer of usability, offering autopilot features that make bait delivery even easier. It’s a welcome addition for less experienced pilots and helps remove much of the intimidation factor associated with flying drones offshore.
With an operating range of up to 1.6km, the FD3 comfortably reaches distances that would otherwise require a boat or kayak. Dual rotatable antennas help maintain a solid signal even when flying low over the water, making long-distance bait drops feel controlled rather than risky.
Practical touches, like the easy slide-in battery system, round out the package nicely. Battery changes are quick and simple, the sealed hatch helps keep water out, and swapping batteries on the beach takes only seconds.
At first impression, the SwellPro Fisherman FD3 Waterproof Drone comes across as a well-thought-out, confidence-inspiring tool rather than a gimmick. Early use suggests it delivers on its promises, and it’s already proven itself as both a capable fishing drone and a versatile platform for capturing our marine-related content.
Believe it or not, I am still using the original set of blades, with no scratches on me or the drone. I look forward to reporting back on future adventures, and you will be sure to see images and video on our pages and on the Powerboat Magazine website.
SwellPro Fisherman FD3 Waterproof Drone Features:
- Profish / advanced version
- 2.2kg bait capacity
- Up to 5 – 6 drops per charge
- IPX5 water resistant
- Calibration free
- Up to 25 knots of wind resistance
- GPS 9.0
- Rock solid hovering
- Dual payload bait release
- Advanced flight controller
- Floating design
- Auto flip
- 1.6km casting range
- FDFly app
- Slide in battery
- Fisherman-friendly remote controller
- Inbuilt multi-colour display
- Shows live footage in 720p
- 4K gimbal camera
What’s in the Carry case…
- 1 x FD3 Aircraft
- 1 x FD3 Profish remote controller
- 1 x Flight controller
- 1 x Flight battery
- 1 x Charger
- 2 Pairs x Propellers
- 1 x 4K Gimbal camera
- 1 x Dual payload/bait release
- 1 x USB-C cable
- 1 x Carry case
