I grew up fishing in CT, just as obsessed as any other angler. I always had a GoPro strapped to my head and enjoyed creating videos. Flying drones became a hobby. During Covid, I moved to Boston and spent a frustrating year struggling to understand the local fishery. I went on numerous charters to piece together the puzzle, but I yearned to improve.
Last winter, I sold some stock to purchase a new drone, aiming to gain insights from above. I stumbled upon school after school of striped bass and other marine life, leading to an extraordinary year. Balancing my construction job with my passion for flying in search of fish during the summer is challenging, yet exhilarating.
This year, I aim to engage more in shore angling now that I comprehend the tides and migration patterns of striped bass and other East Coast species. With the power to observe from above, I take the responsibility seriously. I’m mindful not to reveal the drone to other anglers or boats, and I refrain from sharing specific intel to maintain ethical standards. Etiquette is paramount in my endeavors.
Furthermore, despite lacking formal training in video or photography, I hold high expectations for the quality of my footage. I take pride in capturing intricate details of the fish, striving to align flying conditions for optimal shots. Factors like low wind, clear skies, slack tide, low turbidity, and fish near the surface are crucial considerations. While perfection isn’t always attainable, there were rare days last year when everything aligned, resulting in incredible footage of striped bass. One memorable Sunday morning stands out, where a risk taken at a new spot paid off. However, attempts to replicate the feat the next day fell short of perfection.
Special shoutout to Sean Cobelli, be sure to follow him on Instagram at @sean.cobelli.media and check out some of the awesome drone footage he gets!
